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Demonstration of the application of phytotechnologies in the decontamination and recovery of degraded soils

Abstract

The PhytoSUDOE Project will demonstrate the environmental, economic and social benefits generated during and after the implementation of phytotechnologies (technologies that use living organisms to decontaminate soils from contaminated sites and to recover the affected ecosystems). The aim is to encourage greater use of these techniques by regulators and owners, as an effective risk management strategy in the SUDOE territory (Portugal, Spain and France) and in other European regions.

This will be achieved through the creation of a transnational network of contaminated sites (located in protected and unprotected areas, but all of relevant ecological interest and potential to provide ecosystem services) through phytotechnologies.

The Research and Innovation Project, funded by INTERREG SUDOE, will be coordinated by the CSIC - Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela and developed on the basis of a partnership that includes public authorities, companies and research centers: NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Centro de Estudios Ambientales - Ayuntamiento de Vitoria-Gasteiz, Universidad del País Vasco, Centro de Ecologia Funcional da Universidade de Coimbra, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia/CBQF da Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Universidade de Aveiro e LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia Portugal.

Demonstration actions in Portugal are supported by business entities such as EDM - Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, in various mining sites.

Keywords

Phytotechnologies, Bioremediation, Contaminated Soils, Degraded Soils, Mining Exploration

Promoters/Partners

Escola Superior de Biotecnologia - Universidade Católica Portuguesa; CSIC - Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (Coordenador); NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario; INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Centro de Estudios Ambientales - Ayuntamiento de Vitoria-Gasteiz; Universidad del País Vasco; Centro de Ecologia Funcional da Universidade de Coimbra; Universidade de Aveiro; LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia Portugal