Work package WP1 – Microbiome sampling, data management and sites
WP1 is devoted to sample taking and treatment, site selection and access, as well as data management that includes protocols for data mining, sharing, storing and harmonisation.
A handbook of protocols for taking samples (soil, (ground)water, microorganisms) from contaminated sites will be developed. This includes the handling of samples at the site (e.g. used materials, sample size, number of replicates), storing conditions during transport (e.g. cooling, oxygen concentration) and treatment/storage in the lab (e.g. temperature, sieving) until analysis/further use.
Site selection and handling of permissions will include detailed criteria for sites (e.g. type and concentrations of contaminants, hydrogeological and physical conditions).
AIT – Austrian Institute Of Technology is the lead of WP1 as well as the scientific coordinator of the whole project.
Work package WP2 – Microbiome analysis, cultivation and evolution
WP2 focuses on getting access to highly active degraders in the microbiome by identifying, analysing, isolating and cultivating them. To identify the most relevant microorganisms and microbiome functions different approaches will be applied:
- Analyse microbiomes at taxonomic and functional levels
- Trap and identify active pollutant-degrading bacteria
- Apply new approaches to cultivate degrading strains and/or consortia
- Improve selected microbial consortia by natural evolution
- Monitor microbiomes during piloting in field tests
The Centre for Environmental Sciences (CMK) at Hasselt University is the lead of WP2.
Work package WP3 – Collection of degrading microbiomes and strains
WP3 will facilitate public access to bioremediation bacteria and microbiomes, and their genomic information and metadata bysequencing and publicly depositing them. Single bacterial strains and microbiomes selected in WP2 will be sequenced and publicly deposited. This will be reached through following activities:
- Developing standards for a quality-controlled preservation and distribution of bioremediation consortia.
- Public deposit of genome sequences of bioremediation bacteria
- Deposit of selected microbiomes and single strains in public culture collection
Ghent University is the lead of WP3.
Work package WP4 – Prediction Tool for enhancement and feasibility evaluation of Bioremediation
WP4 develops the Prediction Tool for enhancement and feasibility evaluation of Bioremediation. The IT modelling tool integrates microbiological, chemical, hydrological and physical data and processes. The tool will combine established numerical models solving the physical, chemical, biological and hydrogeological relationships at the various involved scales into a single interface for bioremediation prediction.
The application ranges from:
(i) decision support addressing the question “Does bioremediation work at this site?”
(ii) evaluation of feasibility addressing “Which type/consortia are present?”, up to guidance on enhancement strategies like answering: “Augmentation or biostimulation?” and “Which nutrients to add – how and where?”.
Utrecht University- the research group Environmental Hydrogeology (Earth Science Department) is the lead of WP4.
Work package WP5 – Microbiome application reality check: safety, up-scaling and field tests
WP5 will bring microbiomes into application by analysing at large scale their degradation potential and safety, scale-up production and processes, and finally perform field tests. These tests should deliver data confirming degradation capacity of developed microbiomes allowing a subsequent marked launch. The subobjectives of this WP are:
- Identify safety issues including methods for checking microbiomes
- Compare degradation capacity of developed microbiomes
- Scale-up technical and biological processes
- Carry out field tests to verify effectiveness of developed microbiome
Sensatec is the lead of WP5.
Work package WP6 – MIBIREM-TOOLBOX innovation
WP6 will ensure that the MIBIREM TOOLBOX – the microbiome and bioremediation tools developed and applied in MIBIREM- fulfils regulatory requirements and addresses market needs. Sub-objectives are:
- Improve customer access via a TOOLBOX environment that provides improved usability.
- Consolidate knowledge of regulatory and policy frameworks for bioremediation in the EU and EU member states.
- Build on knowledge of political, economic, social, technological, ecological and legal business environments and competitive advantages.
AIT – Austrian Institute Of Technology is the lead of WP6.
Work package WP7 – Dissemination, exploitation and communication (DEC)
WP7 addresses dissemination, exploitation and communication activities relating the project.
It will plan and execute these activities in a way that enhances innovation capacity and integrates the new insights developed by the project partners and the soil remediation sector as a whole. It will coordinate this process, developing the relevant communication tools to reach the intended audiences from the stakeholder mapping. This will help build a project community and network, as well as disseminate project results in addition to events, training and workshops.
RTDS is the lead of WP7.
Project Communication Lead: Ana Babić, RTDS Group
Work package WP8 – Project Management
WP8 is devoted to project coordination activities.
This will ensure that the project meets all deliverables on time and on budget according to the grant agreement. It will also provide effective communication between the project and the European Research Executive Agency (REA).
RTDS is the lead of WP8 as well as the project coordinator.
Project coordination & management:
Stephen Webb & David Donnerer, RTDS Group
