Objective
The problem of limited bioavailability is considered one of the major bottle necks for further progress in soil bioremediation technology Contaminants are believed to be bioavailable only when they are present in the aqueous solution. However, since many pollutants sorb to soil constituents or are dissolved in separate phase liquids, the bulk amounts appear to be unavailable to microorganisms.
The proposed project endeavours to identify and characterise bacterial strategies of promoting bioavailability of hydrophobic pollutants and to evaluate the applicability of the microorganisms for in-situ biotreatment. The project thus represents a completely new approach towards the improvement of bioremediation technology.
In its experimental approach, the project will concentrate on the biodegradation of a major group of hydrophobic pollutants, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAH degrading bacteria will be examined, which have been selected not only for their metabolic properties, but also for their ability to degrade PAHs provided in the sorbed or NAPL-dissolved state. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, we will examine if such bacteria enhance hydrophobic substrate transfer (i) by means of the emulsifying properties of their cell surfaces and/or (ii) by adhesion to hydrophobic sorbent materials reducing the distance to the sorbed pollutant. The mass transfer-promoting properties of the bacteria will be examined at the physiological level and genetic level. The importance of bacterial characteristics beyond biochemical capacities, for the degradation of PAHs in soils and the implications for in situ bioremediation, will be evaluated. Such bacterial capabilities may be usable as an innovative biotechnology for maximising the bioavailability of hydrophobic pollutants, through carefully directed stimulation of indigenous bacteria or through inoculation with new strains from this project.
The project partnership includes leading European laboratories experienced in the disciplines of biodegradation, bacterial genetics, bacterial physiology and soil microbial ecology. The level of industrial interest in this proposal is reflected by the involvement of an industrial partner from the bioremediation industry. During the course of the project the industrial partner will act as advisor for the research and development effort, to focus the project towards field relevance and as a liaison with end-users.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- engineering and technology environmental biotechnology bioremediation
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry hydrocarbons
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
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Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
2400 Mol
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.