Use of mycorrhizal fungi for the phytostabilisation of radio-contaminated environments

Objective

Biological activities in soils are widely recognized as playing a vital part in nutrient cycling, element mobilisation and availability to plants. Among the soil microflora, mycorrhizal fungi occupy a unique location at the interface between soil and plant. Though they are recognized as key actors in the soil-to-plantcontinuum, their role in radionuclide (RN) mobilisation and transfer to plants has been scarcely studied. The proposal aims at laying out the scientific foundations of the use of this symbiotic fungi in the phytostabilisation/phytoremediation of uranium and radioceasium contaminated areas. Such scientific basement is a prerequisite to future development of technologies based on the use of the mycorhizosphere in the management of RN-contaminated sites. In other words, it is our objective to give a reply to the following question: do the mycorrhizal fungi represent a potential tool in the phytostabilisation/phytoremediationstrategy of RN-contaminated areas?

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › environmental biotechnology › bioremediation › phytoremediation
• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology › mycology

Programme(s)

• FP5-EAECTP C - Research and training programme (Euratom) in the field of nuclear energy (1998 to 2002)

Topic(s)

• 2.1.3.-2.1. - Terrestrial environment

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN

Address

3,place Croix Du Sud 2/12
1348 Louvain-la-neuve
Belgium

Participants (3)

BELGIAN NUCLEAR RESEARCH CENTRE

Belgium

Address

200,boeretang 200
2400 Mol

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

France

Address

Rue Notre Dame Des Pauvres 17
54501 Vandoeuvre-les-nancy

RISOE NATIONAL LABORATORY

Denmark

Address

Frederiksborgvej 399
4000 Roskilde