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H2020Doctoral network2016–2021

METAL-AID · Metal oxide Aided Subsurface Remediation: From Invention to Injection

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2016-07-01 → 2021-01-31
EU contribution
€3,716,533
Participants
11
Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Metal oxide Aided Subsurface Remediation: From Invention to Injection

Thousands of sites across Europe are polluted with toxic metals and organic solvents; many more exist worldwide. As our population grows, clean water will determine quality of life and economic stability. Most sites remain contaminated because existing technologies are costly and disruptive. Society needs an innovative way to decontaminate soil and groundwater directly underground. To respond to this challenge, the Metal-Aid network was created with two main objectives: • Design new, innovative metal reactants and implementation procedures for cost effective and sustainable, in situ, subsurface decontamination • Train 14 creative, independent researchers with an interdisciplinary and intersectoral understanding of environmental science and technology, and the skills to communicate about contamination prevention and remediation In this ITN, experts from 4 consulting firms, 6 universities and a government agency trained the next generation of soil and groundwater remediation experts to tackle challenges of concern to society, to communicate across sectors and with the public, in a network that will last long after the project ends. The Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) were trained across several disciplines, in both laboratory and field procedures, and in theoretical and modelling approaches, with the ultimate goal to develop a less costly, fast approach for soil and groundwater remediation. ESR research projects were aligned across four science work packages to investigate all aspects of a new reactant, from initial development to rigorous testing and eventually its application in the field.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Thousands of sites across Europe are polluted with toxic metals and organic solvents; many more exist worldwide. As EU population grows, clean water will determine the quality of life and economic stability. Most sites remain contaminated because existing technology is costly and disruptive. Society needs an innovative way to decontaminate soil and groundwater directly underground. In METAL-AID, we will develop new technologies through fundamental knowledge.We are a consortium of experts in natural materials, contaminant reactivity, groundwater treatment and environment policy, spread over 4 consulting firms, 6 universities and a government agency. We will train 14 early stage researchers (ESRs) through integrated, intersectoral research, using advanced technology, ranging from nanometre to field scale. ESRs will gain technical, business and personal skills, as they push a promising soil and groundwater remediation technology toward commercialisation. To meet the METAL-AID goals, the ESRs will:1) Test known layered double hydroxide (LDH) and redox active green rust (GR) reactants that show promise for remediating toxic metals and chlorinated compounds and invent new ones;2) Derive thermodynamic and kinetic data, essential for safety assessment modelling;3) Quantify reactant effectiveness and reacted phase stability and compare these with natural analogues;4) Inject the new reactants at field sites operated by our beneficiaries.METAL-AID begins at technology readiness level, TRL 1 and runs to TRL 6, implementation. The government agency will provide guidance so our new technology complies with regulations and has promised R&D funding after the ETN ends, to carry it into full commercialisation. The ESRs will be trained to tackle challenges of concern to society, to communicate across sector boundaries and with the public, in a network that will last long after the project ends. We will provide a pool of scientists for roles in EU's knowledge based economy.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET · KOBENHAVNCoordinatorDenmark
  • AECOM URS ESPANA SLU · MADRIDSpain
  • AMPHOS 21 CONSULTING SL · BarcelonaSpain
  • ARCADIS GERMANY GMBH · DarmstadtGermany
  • GFZ HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR GEOFORSCHUNG · POTSDAMGermany
  • HASKOLI ISLANDS · ReykjavikIceland
  • KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE · KarlsruheGermany
  • NIRAS AS · ALLEROEDDenmark
  • REGION HOVEDSTADEN · HillerodDenmark
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE SALAMANCA · SalamancaSpain
  • UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON · LondonUnited Kingdom

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union