Ask the expert

Bioremediation has many advantages over other pollutant removal methods:

• Environment-friendly: Bioremediation, which uses naturally occurring microorganisms, is a more sustainable alternative to standard physicochemical remediation options e.g. burying polluted soils in landfills, where pollutants are not destroyed and the problem is merely postponed.

• Safer: Chemical remediation and the disposal of contaminated waste increase the health risk for workers.

• Less expensive: bioremediation can be a much cheaper method compared to other methods such as incineration or landfill.

• Easy to apply: Bioremediation can be applied in many different places, including soil, water and even air, making it a very flexible method.

• Efficient: Bioremediation is also a very effective method of removing pollutants because microorganisms are able to break down many different types of pollutants, including petroleum substances, heavy metals, pesticides and many others.

• Persistent: Bioremediation is a permanent method of removing contaminants because microorganisms are able to continue the process of removing contaminants for a long time and even after the end of the bioremediation application.

Nymphe aims to select biologics suited for high-performance degradation of pollutants occurring at the 5 pilot sites. We will test at least:

• 5 classes of enzymes targeting chlorinated organic solvents, petroleum hydrocarbon, pharmaceuticals and microplastics,

• 250 single strains of bacteria and fungi and enriched consortia targeting antibiotics, other pharmaceuticals, their degradation products (e.g., guanyl urea), chlorinated organic solvents, petroleum hydrocarbon, microplastics and plasticizers, and pesticides

• 3 microalgae targeting antibiotics,

• 5 plants and their associated microorganisms to remove chlorinated organic solvents, petroleum hydrocarbon, and heavy metals

• 2 bivalves species to remove antibiotics and metals

• 3 earthworm species with contrasting ecotypes impacting microbial soil pesticides as well as microplastic degraders.

In principle, multiple species consortia of known compositions may accelerate bioremediation of contaminants due to a higher stability. The experience in the field of bioremediation also indicates without a doubt that microbial consortia delivering catabolic routes distributed among the different members are way more efficacious than single strains. That is why Nymphe will search for most efficient biologics combinations to improve consortium fitness and use targeted consortia assembly.