Objective "At industrial-related polluted sites chlorinated solvents, as chloroform (CF), carbon tetrachloride (CT), trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) are common groundwater contaminants. Due to their high toxicity and mobility becomes obvious how important knowledge of their natural attenuation processes is with regard to cost-effective management of contaminated sites and accomplishing the environmental quality standards established in the field of European Water Policy. In Europe, there is currently an estimated legacy of nearly three million contaminated sites that need to be remediated. The present project constitutes a step forward from previous studies developed by the host organisation at a fractured bedrock aquifer polluted with chlorinated solvents in Odena, Catalonia, Spain. Although this site has been thoughtfully investigated with respect to geology, chemistry, and hydrogeology, it has not yet been investigated into much detail with respect to the biology. The conclusions of these studies helped to distinguish two different areas of future action in which two different remediation strategies are planned: (1) In Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) and (2) bioremediation, respectively. IMOTEC-BOX aims to determine the efficiency of these two approaches from laboratory to field scale by the application of innovative stable isotopic and molecular tools. Specific objectives of this research include: (1) evaluation of different oxidation reactions to realize potentiality and limitations at field scale, (2) better understanding of the biodegradation/metabolic processes occurring naturally in the aquifer, (3) evaluation of the impact of the addition of different electron acceptors/donors on the indigenous microbial community composition and the rates of biodegradation for potential in situ biostimulation (4) tracking the efficiency of the selected remediation techniques at field scale by isotopic fractionation and molecular biomarkers." Fields of science social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiespublic policiesengineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationnatural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryelectrolysisnatural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrologyhydrogeologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA EU contribution € 75 000,00 Address GRAN VIA DE LES CORTS CATALANES 585 08007 Barcelona Spain See on map Region Este Cataluña Barcelona Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Xavier Gutierrez (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data