Periodic Reporting for period 3 - EiCLaR (Enhanced In Situ Bioremediation for Contaminated Land Remediation)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
The EiCLaR team brings together a diverse range of expertise from institutions and companies across the European Union and China. This collaborative effort has led to the development of four innovative, low-cost ecological technologies designed to remove pollutants from soil and groundwater, alongside a decision support tool to help select the most suitable technology for any given site. Environmental pollution is a significant global challenge, impacting natural resources, ecosystems, and human health. While traditional remediation strategies vary in effectiveness, advanced bioremediation—using naturally occurring microorganisms—offers a more sustainable and less invasive alternative to physicochemical and thermal methods. However, it faces challenges such as inefficiency with poorly biodegradable compounds, slow processing times, and high energy consumption.
The four technologies developed by EiCLaR combine in situ bioremediation (ISBR) approaches with non-biological processes to achieve higher performance levels. These technologies were designed to target complex contaminant mixtures and challenging sites, providing integrated biotechnologies for effective contaminant removal. Two of these cutting-edge, sustainable remediation technologies are ready for practical deployment and the other two are expected to be ready within three years. Additionally, a comprehensive decision support tool has been created to incorporate risk management, sustainability performance, and market entry assessment, with plans for a soft launch (TRL 9) in early 2025.
The EiCLaR project addresses the growing demand for sustainable, risk-based land management (SRBLM) through innovative bioremediation technologies. These technologies align with global regulatory standards on sustainable remediation. By integrating biological, physical, electrical, and chemical processes, EiCLaR extends the applicability of in situ bioremediation to a wider range of contamination types, concentrations, and complexities. The enhanced bioremediation systems developed in this project represent a significant leap forward, offering more effective, flexible, and resilient solutions for land contamination while improving sustainability and reducing costs.
The four technologies developed by EiCLaR combine in situ bioremediation (ISBR) approaches with non-biological processes to achieve higher performance levels. These technologies were designed to target complex contaminant mixtures and challenging sites, providing integrated biotechnologies for effective contaminant removal. Two of these cutting-edge, sustainable remediation technologies are ready for practical deployment and the other two are expected to be ready within three years. Additionally, a comprehensive decision support tool has been created to incorporate risk management, sustainability performance, and market entry assessment, with plans for a soft launch (TRL 9) in early 2025.
The EiCLaR project addresses the growing demand for sustainable, risk-based land management (SRBLM) through innovative bioremediation technologies. These technologies align with global regulatory standards on sustainable remediation. By integrating biological, physical, electrical, and chemical processes, EiCLaR extends the applicability of in situ bioremediation to a wider range of contamination types, concentrations, and complexities. The enhanced bioremediation systems developed in this project represent a significant leap forward, offering more effective, flexible, and resilient solutions for land contamination while improving sustainability and reducing costs.
The EiCLaR team has developed and field-tested four innovative technologies—Electro-Nanobioremediation (ENB), Monitored Bioaugmentation (MBR), Bioelectrochemical Remediation (BER), and Enhanced Phytoremediation (EPR)—across various sites in the UK, Europe, and China. These technologies offer sustainable, cost-effective solutions for contaminated land and groundwater, focusing on their commercial and technical benefits. Collaboration with industry and academia has led to joint field tests, EU/China partnerships, and student exchanges.
ENB, which targets halogenated compounds in groundwater, including chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) and PFAS, was optimized through lab and field tests in Europe and China. It uses modified nano-zero-valent iron (nZVI) and microbial communities to degrade contaminants, with successful commercial applications following large-scale tests. MBR, based on aerobic metabolism of chlorinated solvents, has been validated through lab, large-scale lab, and field tests in Belgium and Germany. It degrades trichloroethene (TCE) and other solvents without additional substrates for bacterial growth, with promising results from advanced oxygen supply techniques. BER uses bioelectrochemical processes to degrade hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents in anoxic groundwater. Tested in lab, large-scale lab, and field settings, it has proven to be a low-cost, energy-neutral solution with real-time monitoring, and is being developed for commercial applications in the US, Europe, and China. EPR, now known as ICoDeS, combines phytoremediation, arsenic immobilization, and electrochemical oxidation of PAHs. It has shown success in field tests, degrading PAHs and TCE, and immobilizing arsenic and metals, with further research in China.
EiCLaR aims to develop sustainable technologies with clear market potential. Case studies benchmarking these technologies against alternatives have led to spin-out projects and the development of a decision support tool for routine remedy screening. These efforts have driven EiCLaR's technologies toward TRL 9, facilitating commercialization in global markets, while the Decision Support Tool provides valuable insights for the remediation sector.
ENB, which targets halogenated compounds in groundwater, including chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) and PFAS, was optimized through lab and field tests in Europe and China. It uses modified nano-zero-valent iron (nZVI) and microbial communities to degrade contaminants, with successful commercial applications following large-scale tests. MBR, based on aerobic metabolism of chlorinated solvents, has been validated through lab, large-scale lab, and field tests in Belgium and Germany. It degrades trichloroethene (TCE) and other solvents without additional substrates for bacterial growth, with promising results from advanced oxygen supply techniques. BER uses bioelectrochemical processes to degrade hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents in anoxic groundwater. Tested in lab, large-scale lab, and field settings, it has proven to be a low-cost, energy-neutral solution with real-time monitoring, and is being developed for commercial applications in the US, Europe, and China. EPR, now known as ICoDeS, combines phytoremediation, arsenic immobilization, and electrochemical oxidation of PAHs. It has shown success in field tests, degrading PAHs and TCE, and immobilizing arsenic and metals, with further research in China.
EiCLaR aims to develop sustainable technologies with clear market potential. Case studies benchmarking these technologies against alternatives have led to spin-out projects and the development of a decision support tool for routine remedy screening. These efforts have driven EiCLaR's technologies toward TRL 9, facilitating commercialization in global markets, while the Decision Support Tool provides valuable insights for the remediation sector.
The EiCLaR team has made significant progress in addressing the environmental, economic, and ecological needs for innovative solutions to remediate polluted soil and groundwater through targeted activities:
1. Discovery and Optimization: We identified novel configurations, materials, operational parameters, and target contaminants, optimizing our technologies at the proof-of-concept stage for specific applications.
2. Technology Advancement: We advanced our bioremediation technologies from proof-of-concept (TRL 3) to industrial-scale demonstration (TRL 6 and beyond), ensuring their viability for real-world applications.
3. Market Acceleration: Collaboration with SMEs and potential clients, along with field demonstrations in the EU and China, helped drive our technologies toward market readiness, ensuring industrial and environmental relevance.
4. Practical and Market Relevance: We assessed the practical, environmental, economic, and social benefits of the technologies by benchmarking their performance across multiple pilot sites. This process involved consultations from various stakeholders.
5. Decision Support Guidance: We developed a case study-based decision support tool (DST) using the "operating windows" concept to guide the selection of EiCLaR technologies for contaminated site remediation, highlighting opportunities for scaling up.
6. White Papers and Technical Bulletins: Targeted "White Papers" provided concise technical briefings for practitioner audiences, supporting technology uptake and implementation. "Technical bulletins" offered detailed insights on the four EiCLaR technologies, the DST, and the overall project.
7. Stakeholder Engagement: We engaged key stakeholders in the EU and China to promote the technologies, facilitate adoption, and ensure broad application in real-world scenarios.
8. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA): We applied LCA to our technologies and compared them with existing ones, demonstrating their ecological and sustainable benefits.
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), EiCLaR contributed to goals such as affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, innovation, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and climate action. By integrating sustainable remediation practices, EiCLaR reduces costs, improves effectiveness, and maximizes environmental, economic, and societal value. Our goal was to enable more extensive remediation with existing resources while maintaining sustainability through green, energy-efficient, and low/zero chemical input approaches. These strategies not only reduce resource consumption but also offer potential benefits such as carbon sequestration, renewable material generation, water rehabilitation, soil fertility improvement, and urban climate management. Ultimately, the EiCLaR technologies will deliver significant benefits across environmental, economic, and social domains. The accompanying diagram illustrates the key sustainability gains achievable through EiCLaR technologies.
1. Discovery and Optimization: We identified novel configurations, materials, operational parameters, and target contaminants, optimizing our technologies at the proof-of-concept stage for specific applications.
2. Technology Advancement: We advanced our bioremediation technologies from proof-of-concept (TRL 3) to industrial-scale demonstration (TRL 6 and beyond), ensuring their viability for real-world applications.
3. Market Acceleration: Collaboration with SMEs and potential clients, along with field demonstrations in the EU and China, helped drive our technologies toward market readiness, ensuring industrial and environmental relevance.
4. Practical and Market Relevance: We assessed the practical, environmental, economic, and social benefits of the technologies by benchmarking their performance across multiple pilot sites. This process involved consultations from various stakeholders.
5. Decision Support Guidance: We developed a case study-based decision support tool (DST) using the "operating windows" concept to guide the selection of EiCLaR technologies for contaminated site remediation, highlighting opportunities for scaling up.
6. White Papers and Technical Bulletins: Targeted "White Papers" provided concise technical briefings for practitioner audiences, supporting technology uptake and implementation. "Technical bulletins" offered detailed insights on the four EiCLaR technologies, the DST, and the overall project.
7. Stakeholder Engagement: We engaged key stakeholders in the EU and China to promote the technologies, facilitate adoption, and ensure broad application in real-world scenarios.
8. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA): We applied LCA to our technologies and compared them with existing ones, demonstrating their ecological and sustainable benefits.
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), EiCLaR contributed to goals such as affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, innovation, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and climate action. By integrating sustainable remediation practices, EiCLaR reduces costs, improves effectiveness, and maximizes environmental, economic, and societal value. Our goal was to enable more extensive remediation with existing resources while maintaining sustainability through green, energy-efficient, and low/zero chemical input approaches. These strategies not only reduce resource consumption but also offer potential benefits such as carbon sequestration, renewable material generation, water rehabilitation, soil fertility improvement, and urban climate management. Ultimately, the EiCLaR technologies will deliver significant benefits across environmental, economic, and social domains. The accompanying diagram illustrates the key sustainability gains achievable through EiCLaR technologies.