Project R-2863

Greenland : Gentle remediation of trace element contaminated land (Research)

Gentle remediation options (g.r.o.) include various (mostly plant based) approaches to remediate trace element contaminated soils at low cost and without significant negative effects for the environment. Although g.r.o. comprise very innovative and efficient technologies, they are still not widely used as practical site solution due to several reasons of hindrance for applying g.r.o. as practical solution. Greenland is bringing gentle remediation options (phytoremediation, in situ stabilisation) into practical application and to solve the final problems comprising still major reasons of hindrance. The major objectives are:  test the remediation efficiency and success in pilot field case studies  develop a toolkit to quantify the remediation progress and targets (no total, but "bioavailable" trace element fractions)  test different technologies of biomass valorisation (incineration, gasification, biodiesel production, etc.)  develop a decision support tool  publish a best practice guide Greenland has defined two groups of end users: 1) companies that will offer gentle remediation options commercially (including the treatment of metal-rich biomass) - these group is part of the project consortium 2) stakeholders (including environmental agencies) that will decide for gentle remediation options - these are not part of the project consortium but of the advisory board. The main task of the advisory board is to take part at 4 Greenland meetings (kick off, 2 midterm, final meeting) to give feedback on the project progress. The members of the advisory board should especially consider if their requirements are met (e.g. do we provide all needed information to allow the future stakeholders deciding for gentle remediation options). The travel costs will be covered by the consortium.

01 January 2011 - 31 December 2014