Project description
Managing PFAS in sludge reuse systems
Nature-based systems for sewage sludge reuse, such as sludge treatment reed beds (STRBs), are gaining popularity throughout Europe. This has greatly helped to make sludge reuse not only safe but also sustainable. However, emerging pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected within reused sludge and are ecologically harmful. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SafeSludge project will focus on characterising emerging PFAS within reused sludge that has been treated using STRBs, as well as exploring their transformation mechanisms, fate, and interactions within sludge/soil systems. The results are expected to be useful for developing policies to mitigate PFAS-related risks in sludge reuse.
Objective
This project (SafeSludge) addresses critical regulatory and environmental challenges linked to the reuse of sewage sludge, with a particular focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of highly persistent and under-regulated contaminants. Although nature-based systems such as sludge treatment reed beds (STRBs) are increasingly used in Europe, especially in Denmark, knowledge of the occurrence, transformation, and ecological risks of PFAS in sludge and amended soils remains scarce, leaving a significant regulatory gap.
The project pursues three main objectives: (i) characterize the occurrence, chemical diversity, and variability of emerging PFAS in STRB-treated sludge using non-targeted screening, (ii) elucidate their environmental fate, transformation pathways, and biological interactions in sludge–soil systems through controlled microcosm experiments with plants, earthworms, and soil microbial communities, and (iii) derive ecotoxicological thresholds and develop predictive risk models to inform safe sludge reuse and regulatory standards.
To achieve these goals, the research integrates advanced chemical analytics (LC-HRMS, LC-MS/MS), MALDI-MSI, ecotoxicological bioassays, molecular microbiology, and environmental risk modelling. The outcomes will deliver the first robust baseline on emerging PFAS in STRBs, provide mechanistic insights into their fate and impacts on terrestrial organisms, and establish science-based thresholds to guide EU policy development.
This project directly supports the MSCA Work Programme, advancing excellence in interdisciplinary research, promoting sustainable circular resource use, and contributing to the EU Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Soil Health Strategy.
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.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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.
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.
Funding Scheme
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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
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.