Symbiotic, circular bioremediation systems and biotechnology solutions for improved environmental, economic and social sustainability in pollution control

The overall goal of SYMBIOREM is to improve the effectiveness, sustainability, circularity and cost-efficiency of bioremediation and revitalisation strategies for soils, sediments, surface water and groundwater. SYMBIOREM focuses on the intersection of advanced bioremediation methods with circular bio-based systems. Twelve novel bio-based technologies and strategies are developed as modular solutions to mutually enhance bioremediation efficiency, use secondary inputs, and turn residues and contaminants into valuable resources. SYMBIOREM investigates the exploitation potential of indigenous species with bioremediation capabilities, including microorganisms, microbiomes, proteins, plants and animals.

SYMBIOREM targets five archetypes of contaminated environments: industrial brownfields, mixed solid waste landfills, urban surface water bodies with mixed contamination, contaminated soils and surface water bodies, and European marine environments. SYMBIOREM targets 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 also targets mixed contamination, eutrophication, organic micropollutants and microplastic. SYMBIOREM recovers a diverse portfolio of resources from contaminated sites, including several Critical Raw Materials (CRM). SYMBIOREM will deliver new knowledge about bioremediation agents, their functionality in combination, as well as hazards of pollutant remobilisation.

SYMBIOREM elaborates new avenues for circular value creation and empowers people on the ground by involving citizens and key stakeholders in participatory research, co-design and co-management of bioremediation sites, to facilitate bottom-up replication and increased safety and sustainability of bioremediation and revitalization strategies in aims to achieve the targets of the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan.