Objective The identification of degradation pathways relevant for organic micropollutants in biological wastewater treatment processes is currently a major gap, preventing a profound evaluation of the capability of biological wastewater treatment. By elucidating the responsible enzymatic reactions of mixed microbial populations this project will cover this gap and thereby allow finding technical solutions that harness the true potential of biological processes for an enhanced biodegradation and detoxification. Due to the multi-disciplinary approach Athene will have impacts on the fields of biological wastewater treatment, analytical and environmental chemistry, environmental microbiology, water and (eco)toxicity. The multi-disciplinary approach of the project requires the involvement of a co-investigator experienced in process engineering and microbiology in wastewater treatment. Athene will go far beyond state-of-the-art in the following fields: a) efficiency in chemical analysis and structure identification of transformation products at environmental relevant concentrations; b) identification of enzymatic pathways relevant for micropollutant degradation in biological wastewater treatment; c) designing innovative technical solutions to maximize biodegradation; d) map and model relevant enzymatic pathways for environmental concentrations. Furthermore, designing biological wastewater treatment processes by understanding enzymatic pathways relevant for organic micropollutants removal represents a paradigm shift for municipal wastewater treatment. In the context of the actual scientific discussion about the relevance of trace organics in the aquatic environment and in drinking water, this topic is deemed as highly innovative: for its potential of proposing new technical options as well as for the gain in understanding compound persistency. Finally enzymatic reactions as well as the treatment schemes will be assessed for there capability to reduce toxiciological effects. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processesengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processeswastewater treatment processesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiology Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-PE8 - ERC Advanced Grant - Products and process engineering Call for proposal ERC-2010-AdG_20100224 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator Bundesanstalt fuer Gewaesserkunde Address Am mainzer tor 1 56068 Koblenz Germany See on map Region Rheinland-Pfalz Koblenz Koblenz, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Helmut Schmidt (Mr.) Principal investigator Thomas Ternes (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Bundesanstalt fuer Gewaesserkunde Germany EU contribution € 2 278 040,00 Address Am mainzer tor 1 56068 Koblenz See on map Region Rheinland-Pfalz Koblenz Koblenz, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Helmut Schmidt (Mr.) Principal investigator Thomas Ternes (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data EIDGENOESSISCHE ANSTALT FUER WASSERVERSORGUNG ABWASSERREINIGUNG UND GEWAESSERSCHUTZ Switzerland EU contribution € 1 135 360,00 Address Uberlandstrasse 133 8600 Dubendorf See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich Activity type Other Administrative Contact Bianca Mosimann (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITAET FRANKFURT AM MAIN Germany EU contribution € 60 000,00 Address Theodor w adorno platz 1 60323 Frankfurt am main See on map Region Hessen Darmstadt Frankfurt am Main, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Kristina Wege (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
