Imagine embarking on a mission to clean up polluted soil and groundwater. This is the essence of the MIBIREM project, which aims to identify and cultivate microorganisms capable of breaking down harmful pollutants. To achieve this, the project follows standardized procedures for collecting and treating samples, ensuring consistency and reliability across different sites.

The handbook for this project serves as a crucial guide, providing detailed instructions on how to collect, transport, treat, and store samples. It even includes a coding system to clearly identify each sample, making the process seamless and organized. The handbook is a draft handbook – a final version is foreseen to be published at the end of 2025.

When it comes to groundwater sampling, the process begins with recording on-site parameters. Picture yourself in the field, measuring the temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, Electrical Conductivity (EC), and Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) of the groundwater. You also keep an eye out for any unusual smells or colours. These samples are then analysed for various contaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, PAHs, BTEXN, and more. Additional parameters like nitrate, nitrite, and dissolved metals are measured to get a comprehensive chemical profile. The collected groundwater is kept cool and filtered to capture bacteria, with DNA extracted using a special kit and stored at -20°C. For enrichment cultures, larger volumes of groundwater are collected to grow bacteria that can degrade contaminants in the presence of oxygen.

Soil sampling follows a structured approach to ensure comparability across different sites. The process is divided into three tiers. The first tier involves measuring basic parameters like pH and electrical conductivity. The second tier focuses on measuring contaminant levels, including petroleum hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The third tier involves measuring extended parameters in highly contaminated samples for further analysis. It’s also important to take uncontaminated samples to understand background values.

Key contaminants in soil include petroleum hydrocarbons, PAHs, BTEXN, hexachlorocyclohexane, and cyanides. To extract DNA from soil, samples are mixed thoroughly to create a composite sample. About 50 grams of this sample is taken, kept cool, and transported to the lab. In the lab, the soil is sieved, a portion is stored at -20°C, and the sample is ground before extracting DNA using a special kit. The extracted DNA is then stored for further analysis.

For enrichment cultures, soil from the composite sample is sieved either at the site or in the lab. The samples are kept cool during transport and storage, and all steps are meticulously recorded to ensure the integrity of the samples.

Developing a standardized sampling procedure is crucial for several reasons. It ensures consistency, accuracy, and reproducibility, allowing other researchers to replicate the study and verify results. It also helps in quality control, minimizing contamination, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Moreover, clear guidelines streamline the sampling process, saving time and resources.

In summary, the MIBIREM project developed and meticulously follows these procedures to ensure high-quality samples for accurate analysis and effective bioremediation efforts. For more details, refer to D1.6. Initial handbook for standardised sampling. This development was led by the project’s scientific coordinator, Thomas Reichenauer from AIT, in collaboration with all partners.

The world is facing significant environmental challenges, driven by climate change, decarbonization, and energy security concerns. These issues are forcing societies to rethink how we live, work, and operate businesses. Technology Talks 2024, held in Vienna and organized by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), brought together global experts to explore how research, technology, and innovation (RTI) can help address the environmental challenges. The conference saw over 900 attendees from various sectors, including policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers.

The Triple Transition: Green, Digital, and Human-Oriented Transformation

This year’s theme, the “Triple Transition,” summarises three key transformations shaping modern society: green, digital, and human-centred. One of the highlights of the event was the inspiring keynote by Prof. Andrea Renda, who emphasized the human component in technology’s role for society and the economy. He pointed out that well-being—both for people and the planet—must be at the heart of any future technological planning. His speech set the stage for key discussions on emerging technology trends, their societal and economic impacts, and how Europe can strengthen its position in global technological competition.

The session explored questions about the most critical technological developments of the next decade and how states and companies can adapt to global shifts. Europe’s position in technology development was critically assessed, with a focus on its strengths, weaknesses, and best practices for improvement. The overarching message: technology must not only drive economic growth but also safeguard the well-being of society and the environment.

Simplifying Regulations and Leveraging AI for Sustainable Bioremediation Solutions

MIBIREM was represented at Technology Talks by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and RTDS Group. RTDS, responsible for the project’s communication, interviewed AIT’s business developer Stefan Pfeiffer. He highlighted the importance of turning scientific results into practical applications, showing how the technologies from MIBIREM can be used in real-world settings. Pfeiffer also discussed the challenges that come with strict regulations for new technologies, a common theme at the conference. He stressed the need to simplify regulations, especially for bioremediation projects.

Pfeifer explained that MIBIREM’s microbiome-based toolbox is a great example of a circular economy solution. It uses natural processes to clean up contamination with minimal costs, energy, labour, and emissions, leaving no harmful residues. This supports sustainability goals by protecting both the environment and people’s health.

Finally, Pfeiffer talked about the benefits of AI in biotechnology and agriculture, where AI helps analyze complex biological data and find solutions that are both eco-friendly and efficient.

MIBIREM and Circularity in Bioremediation

One of the key topics addressed at the conference was the circular economy, a concept essential to achieving sustainability. As a project firmly aligned with these principles, MIBIREM focused on developing a microbiome-based toolbox for soil remediation at contaminated sites, an imortant step toward supporting the circular economy.

As discussed at Technology Talks 2024, the transition to a circular economy requires concrete, scalable solutions. MIBIREM’s microbiome-based approach offers not only environmental benefits, such as reduced CO2 emissions and improved soil health, but also economic advantages by lowering costs and energy consumption. By closing the gap between technology and implementation, and with the support of AI, projects like MIBIREM demonstrate that innovative biotechnological solutions can help drive the circular economy forward.

The Role of AI in MIBIREM

Artificial intelligence (AI) was another key focus at Technology Talks 2024, with discussions highlighting its transformative potential. A keynote by Elisabeth Churchill highlighted how AI is transforming our everyday habits and policies, emphasizing the need for a human-centered transformation that balances technology and societal well-being.

AI is equally critical for MIBIREM’s success. The project incorporates an AI-powered modeling tool that combines microbiological, chemical, hydrological, and physical data to predict bioremediation outcomes. This AI tool helps evaluate the feasibility of bioremediation strategies, aids in decision-making, and guides enhancement methods such as augmentation and biostimulation. By leveraging AI, MIBIREM can fine-tune its approach, ensuring accurate predictions and optimal use of microbiome-based solutions, further advancing its contribution to the circular economy.

Conclusion

Technology Talks Austria 2024 underscored the critical role of innovation in addressing environmental and societal challenges, with the Triple Transition framework guiding green, digital, and human-centered transformations. Prof. Andrea Renda’s keynote set a powerful tone, emphasizing that well-being for people and the planet must be at the core of future technological developments.

MIBIREM’s representation at the event highlighted how circular economy principles, AI, and microbiome-based bioremediation can offer sustainable solutions. By integrating AI-powered tools and leveraging microbiomes, MIBIREM not only enhances soil remediation practices but also supports a larger shift toward a more sustainable, resource-efficient future—aligning perfectly with Europe’s broader environmental and technological goals.

The MIBIREM project had the honour of participating in the BioBio 2024 – the 7th International Symposium on Biosorption and Biodegradation/Bioremediation in Prague, a significant event for researchers focusing on biosorption, bioremediation, biodegradation, and broader environmental science topics such as the circular economy and green technologies.

As part of BioBio24, MIBIREM co-organized the 2nd Bioremediation Cluster Workshop, bringing together several EU projects focused on bioremediation, including MIBIREM, SYMBIOREM, BIOSYSMO, NYMPHE, EDAPHOS, and ISLANDR. The workshop was lively and engaging, featuring an opening presentation by Nicolas Kalogerakis, a renowned expert in bioremediation. We learned about the hazards of fibers and micro-nanoplastics in agriculture and explored successful methods of agricultural decontamination, such as ecopiles.

MIBIREM Project’s Promising Microbial Solutions for Contaminant Degradation

Thomas Reichenauer, the scientific coordinator of MIBIREM, presented promising preliminary results on microbial cultures for the biodegradation of project target contaminants (PHCs, HCH/lindane, Cyanides) and microbiomes with high degradation capacities and excellent functionality. For all three groups of contaminants microbial cultures could be identified that show high degradation capacities. These cultures thus were selected for isolation and further characterisation of individual strains and for use in pilot-tests. The microbial cultures will be deposited to facilitate their use for future applications in bioremediation.

The workshop concluded with an engaging panel discussion, dynamically moderated by Victor De Lorenzo. The panel featured scientific coordinators from the cluster bioremediation projects, including MIBIREM, SYMBIOREM, BIOSYSMO, NYMPHE, EDAPHOS, and ISLANDR. This cluster workshop provided a promising platform for sharing knowledge and discussing the future of bioremediation in Europe. Key takeaways from the workshop include:

• Emphasizing the importance of success stories to build public trust in research and biotechnology. Michel Chalot of Edaphos proposed installing demo sites to engage the public in technology development.
• Highlighting the need for a holistic approach beyond bioremediation to improve overall soil health. Cosimo Masini, a MIBIREM partner of DND Biotech, stressed that soil and water are the foundation of our lives and our natural capital.
• Addressing the gap between biotechnology and implementation, calling for greater involvement from industry and intermediary producers to ensure society benefits from scientific advancements.

A Call for Action in Environmental Biotechnology Research

A key outcome of the workshop was the creation of Joint policy documenent by the cluster participants. This document calls for urgent action in Environmental Biotechnology Research in Europe, emphasizing its relevance to human health and green technologies. It advocates for a major European-funded environmental biotechnology research initiative to enhance European research leadership, foster international collaborations, and in due course benefit all of society.

 

The Potential of Bioremediation for Clean Soils and Groundwater in Europe

–Official Event of the BioBio 2024 EU Bioremediation Project Cluster

We are pleased to announce the 2nd Workshop of the EU Bioremediation Projects Cluster, taking place during BioBio 2024 – the 7th International Symposium on Biosorption and Biodegradation/Bioremediation, on 20 June 2024, in Prague, Czech Republic.

 

Launched in early 2023, our cluster includes six key bioremediation projects funded by the European Commission: MIBIREM, SYMBIOREM, BIOSYSMO, NYMPHE, EDAPHOS, and ISLANDR. This workshop will highlight the potential of bioremediation to improve soil health, clean groundwater, and enhance air quality. Bioremediation uses natural processes and microorganisms to remove contaminants without harming ecosystems.

Thomas Reichenauer, the scientific coordinator of the MIBIREM project from the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology in Austria, will share the latest advancements of the project. Other partners from the EU bioremediation cluster will also present, covering topics such as:

• The use and release of bacteria, microbes, and GMOs for (bio-)remediation purposes – addressing environmental, toxicological, societal, and policy implications.
• Different scientific approaches to (bio-)remediation, including classical enrichment, single strain, or artificial bacteria microbiomes.
• Implementation and regulation barriers when considering the scale-up or large-scale implementation of various (bio-)remediation systems.

For more information read the detailed BioBio 2024 cluster workshop Agenda.

This workshop provides a platform for sharing knowledge and discussing the future of bioremediation in Europe. We look forward to connecting with everyone in Prague and working together towards a cleaner environment.

 

Development of and experience with nature-based solutions – Nature-based: new opportunities in soil remediation

A summary of the original article in the Dutch paper ‘Bodem’ (nr. 1, February 2024).

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are a crucial element in making soil and groundwater remediation more sustainable. Considering the approximately 300,000 seriously contaminated sites yet to be remediated in Europe, the use of NBS will be indispensable and will have a positive impact. Some of these techniques have already proven their value over several decades. In recent years, significant investments have been made in new techniques, variations of existing NBS and combinations of NBS with conventional techniques.

In a general sense, NBS offer several advantages over conventional high-tech techniques, such as cost-effectiveness (limited maintenance, lower energy costs, cheaper materials, less waste), reduced environmental impact, opportunities for integration with other themes (climate mitigation, biodiversity, carbon storage), and resilience in remote locations.

Certainly, there are also some focus areas and limitations of NBS, such as larger spatial requirements, longer duration, adaptation to local climates, and fluctuation of efficiency over time. Nevertheless, the exploration of possibilities and deployment of NBS for contaminated soils and surface waters are increasing due to the growing global awareness of the need for sustainability in all our activities (UN SDGs and EU Green Deal). This is evidenced by initiatives such as the EU Soil Strategy 2030 and the international standard ISO 18504 for sustainable remediation.

NBS research and development are financially supported by the EU through programs such as Horizon Europe, Interreg, and LIFE. Examples of these projects involving TAUW include GREENER (2019-2023), RESANAT (2019-2022), POPWAT (2020-2023), and MIBIREM (2022-2027). Additionally, organizations like NICOLE (Network for Industrially Coordinated Sustainable Land Management in Europe), major private stakeholders, and some government agencies (including OVAM in Flanders) are encouraging the adoption of NBS.

NBS aim to utilize and support natural processes, materials, and energy to facilitate the degradation, immobilization, or capture of contaminants. The mechanisms for dealing with contaminants primarily include adsorption, precipitation, biological, chemical, and photochemical degradation, as well as geohydrological isolation. Also NBS consider:

• Utilizing the natural flow of (ground) water as a driving force for permeable reactive barriers and dispersion of admixtures.
• Using solar energy in the form of UV radiation for photochemical degradation, heat for increasing biodegradation, and electricity for driving control units/pumps or electrochemical processes.
• Harnessing wind for creating negative pressure for bioventing or using compressed air for biosparging.
• Incorporating inert organic materials such as biochar, plant fibers, or peat for adsorption.
• Employing bacteria and fungi for degradation or immobilization.
• Utilizing trees, reeds, and other plants for phytoextraction, phytostabilization, or geohydrological control.
• Leveraging atmospheric oxygen for chemical oxidation or aerobic biodegradation.
• Using alkaline materials for neutralizing acidic environments, metal precipitation, and biostimulation.

EU projects such as RESANAT, GREENER, and POPWAT, along with other initiatives, have yielded initial results. Promising new NBS approaches are expected to be implemented in practice within 3-5 years, given their positive impact on the dimensions of People, Planet, and Prosperity. It’s time to take them into consideration and give them the space they deserve!

 

Author: Tobias Praamstra,

Consultant Soil, Groundwater & Sustainability, TAUW