MOSAIC project is an add-on of previous DRuMBEAT research, whereby we conceptualized and tested a path for bioremediation of contaminated soils, based on exploitation of their indigenous microbiomes coupled with biochar (pyrolysed biomass).
Model organic contaminants in Estarreja-surrounding soils were successfully biodegraded by biochar-attached biofilms naturally engineered from contaminated soils, which proved them to be better adapted to inhibitory environments than those retrieved from “clean” sites.
Our statement
While former DRuMBEAT research successfully answered to “How does it work?”, MOSAIC project aims at addressing “How feasible/profitable is it?”
Our 4-fold research hypotheses build on:
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biochar can be produced from renewable feedstocks existing in Estarreja;
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pyrolysis parameters can be tuned to match both immobilisation of soil contaminants and controlled release of valuable plant nutrients;
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enhanced activity of the soil microorganisms enriched onto biochar benefits both soil remediation and fertility;
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the microbial-laden biochar can turn into an innovative Estarreja-based fertiliser, providing that its agronomic value and cost-effectiveness are ensured.
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Background
OHM Estarreja -the OHM (human-environment observatory) is a study of socio-ecosystems manmade tool, designed to respond to their complexity by implementing a comprehensive approach by combining the study of environmental science and creating dynamic for the development instead of interdisciplinarity needed. For this each OHM organized around a focal object - which will be studied by all environmental sciences - a founder event came deeply upset.
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Estarreja is a municipality of north-central Portugal, where a fifty years old chemical industry complex led to severe damages in its surrounding ecosystem, with particular impacts in soil quality. Measures to restore such soils are strongly needed.
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The long-term contamination already reported in Estarreja can be faced as a valuable opportunity for retrieving soil microbiomes that are highly adapted to contaminants and to further use them for enhanced bioremediation. As an important part of the ecosystem services provided by the soil, these microbiomes can be harvested from the contaminated soil and stimulated ex situ for decontamination purposes, not only in their original location but also in other contaminated sites.
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