SYMBIOREM project to develop new bio-technologies for a cleaner environment

The presence of pollution in water and soil poses multiple risks to human, animal, and ecosystem health, contributing to diseases and biodiversity loss. 

The SYMBIOREM project, which stands for symbiotic, circular bioremediation systems and biotechnology solutions for improved environmental, economic, and social sustainability in pollution control, will tackle these challenges by using the bioremediation capabilities of microorganisms, microbiomes, proteins, plants and animals to remove pollution from the environment.

SYMBIOREM will develop twelve novel bio-based technologies to target the four most common pollutants of soil and groundwater in Europe: heavy metals, mineral oil, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and Volatile Aromatic Hydrocarbons (VAH). The project will also focus on mixed contamination, eutrophication, organic micropollutants and microplastic.

SYMBIOREM will test its innovative solutions in five highly polluted environments: industrial brownfields; mixed solid waste landfills; urban surface water bodies with mixed contamination; contaminated soils and surface water bodies; and European marine environments. 

This international collaborative project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and coordinated by the University of the Basque Country, will have a duration of four years (2022-2026). The 14 partners taking part in this initiative held a kick-off meeting on 21-22 September in Bilbao (Spain).

– The highly interdisciplinary SYMBIOREM Consortium will develop innovative biotechnology solutions to restore polluted ecosystems and contribute to the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan – says Dr. Leire Ruiz Rubio, Project Coordinator, University of the Basque Country.

The Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences team is led by Dr. Wiesław Fiałkiewicz. The team consists of selected employees from the Institute of Environmental Engineering, employees of the Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology and four PhD students. UPWr is the leader of three research tasks and one package of tasks:

The first task is to develop a new technology for phytoextraction of metals from soil, based on sustainable methods and materials, with the use of biodegradable water-absorbing geocomposites. 

The next task is “Development of Extended Floating Islands with immersed active surface” The result of which will be a floating island with active ecosystems removing pollutants both on the water surface and under the water. 

The last task will deal with testing SYMBIOREM technologies in combination. In this task, the most effective technologies will be combined to provide integrated solutions capable of removing multiple pollutants simultaneously in order to increase the efficiency of bioremediation and species enrichment of the following ecosystems.

The package of tasks entitled "Integration and circular bioremediation systems", will aim to integrate various project solutions in order to achieve a symbiotic effect and create closed-loop products. 

–Through participating in the SYMBIOREM project, the university will gain access to the latest technologies, our scientists will be able to work in an international consortium and establish partnerships with world-renowned specialists in bioremediation. We will also be able to develop and test our own solutions, such as the aforementioned floating islands, biodegradable geocomposites, selection of microorganisms supporting phytoextraction – says Dr. Fiałkiewicz from the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.

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