Development of systems to improve phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils through improved phytoaccumulation

Objective

The widespread moderate levels of metal pollution, clearly above European standards, have led to limitations in landuse, and soil remediation is needed. Phytoremediation, the use of plants for cleaning metal-polluted soils, is of low cost, environmentally sound and equally protective of human health and the environment, and should be considered a good alternative to current techniques. Natural plants have serious limitations. The present state of knowledge on the mechanisms of metal tolerance, uptake and accumulation is limited and does not allow construction of designer plants for remediation. Metal-responsive genes will be characterized (functional genomic) from metal-hyperaccumulatingThlaspi and expressed in yeast, Arabidopsis and higher biomass producing tobacco and Basic. Entophytes andrhizosphere microorganisms will be isolated, modified and tested, in combination with the plant, for improved metalaccumulation. GM and non-GM approaches will be compared in laboratory and greenhouse studies. Risk assessment of the approach will form a central core of the studies. The goal is to develop systems for improved phytoaccumulation of metals.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › environmental biotechnology › bioremediation › phytoremediation
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › environmental sciences › pollution
• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology
• agricultural sciences › agricultural biotechnology › biomass

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-3. - Key action The "Cell factory"

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF KUOPIO

Address

Savilahdentie 9
1627 Kuopio
Finland

Participants (7)

GSF-RESEARCH CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

Germany

Address

Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1
85764 Neuherberg

INSTITUTE OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS - POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Poland

Address

36,pawinskiego 5a
02-106 Warszawa

INSTITUTE OF GENETIC ENGINEERING

Bulgaria

Address

2232 Kostinbrod

LIMBURGS UNIVERSITAIR CENTRUM

Belgium

Address

Universitaire Campus
3590 Diepenbeek

PHYTOTECH FOUNDATION

Switzerland

Address

Quartiergasse 12
Bern

VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT AMSTERDAM - VERENIGING VOOR CHRISTELIJK WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERWIJS

Netherlands

Address

De Boelelaan 1105
1081 HV Amsterdam

WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY

Netherlands

Address

Arboretumlaan, 4
6703 BD Wageningen