Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BIOSYSMO (BIOremediation systems exploiting SYnergieS for improved removal of Mixed pOllutants)
Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-08-31
The complexity of environmental pollution presents unprecedented challenges that require innovative solutions. Traditional remediation techniques often fall short dealing with the complex mixtures of pollutants, especially at industrial and post-industrial sites. These sites frequently include a combination of POPs, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants, which pose significant risks to human health and ecological systems.
BIOSYSMO core goal is to refine and enhance bioremediation technologies to effectively tackle these complex contaminants, by means of:
• Collection and characterization of polluted samples from selected sites
• Development and application of a computational pipeline to improve the design and construction of synergistic bioremediation systems
• Design, enhancement, application, and optimization of synergistic biosystems for biotransformation and uptake of targeted mixed pollutants in water, soil, and sediments
• Performance of field studies and validation of selected bioremediation system
• Evaluation of the environmental, socio-economic, risk and regulatory aspects
• Effective exploitation and mainstream the project results for increased impact
The project endeavors to refine bioremediation strategies to tackle specific pollution problems and its later future adaptation for standalone use or integration within broader treatment frameworks. Anticipated impacts include reducing hazardous pollutant concentrations, restoring contaminated sites, and mitigating ecological and health risks.
BIOSYSMO core goal is to refine and enhance bioremediation technologies to effectively tackle these complex contaminants, by means of:
• Collection and characterization of polluted samples from selected sites
• Development and application of a computational pipeline to improve the design and construction of synergistic bioremediation systems
• Design, enhancement, application, and optimization of synergistic biosystems for biotransformation and uptake of targeted mixed pollutants in water, soil, and sediments
• Performance of field studies and validation of selected bioremediation system
• Evaluation of the environmental, socio-economic, risk and regulatory aspects
• Effective exploitation and mainstream the project results for increased impact
The project endeavors to refine bioremediation strategies to tackle specific pollution problems and its later future adaptation for standalone use or integration within broader treatment frameworks. Anticipated impacts include reducing hazardous pollutant concentrations, restoring contaminated sites, and mitigating ecological and health risks.
BIOSYSMO consolidated a representative portfolio of contaminated sites spanning metals, hydrocarbons, PAHs, chlorinated solvents, pharmaceuticals, and emerging contaminants across soils, sediments, and groundwater. During RP2, sampling focused on supplying high-quality material for biosystem optimisation and mesocosm validation at priority sites, including agricultural soils near Paris, legacy Hg-tailings in Bourgogne, estuarine sediments from the Douro and Lima estuaries, and metal- and hydrocarbon-impacted groundwater in Belgium and Spain. Harmonised protocols ensured comparability and supported ecotoxicological workflows.
Microbial work progressed from isolation and characterisation to functional enrichment and ecological screening under realistic matrices. Plant-associated recruitment and mesocosm-based tests strengthened the link between microbial traits, pollutant profiles, and environmental conditions, enabling selection of robust consortia and plant–microbe systems for mixed-contaminant scenarios.
The computational framework was expanded, linking updated genomic, metabolic, and environmental datasets to model development. BIOSYSMOdb now enables cross-scale exploration of biodegradation pathways, metal-resistance traits, and plant–microbe interactions. HMM-based searches and genome-scale models supported prediction of degradation routes and prioritisation of candidates for mesocosm calibration and future deployment planning.
Synergistic remediation systems reached key milestones. Phragmites-based phytoremediation achieved >85–90% metal removal in mesocosms, exceeding intermediate KPIs and confirming scalability (TRL 3→5). Soil phytoremediation with engineered poplars plus beneficial consortia improved Zn/Cd uptake and stress tolerance under greenhouse conditions (TRL 3→4). Estuarine plant–bacteria systems removed pharmaceuticals and metals at microcosm scale and initiated mesocosm transfer (TRL 3→4). BES platforms advanced via 3D biofilms and tailored carriers, increasing removal of metals and hydrocarbons in real matrices (TRL 3–4→5). Bioaugmentation with engineered Pseudomonas strains progressed under controlled lab/mesocosm settings (TRL 3→4), respecting regulatory boundaries for GMOs.
Communication, dissemination, and exploitation efforts intensified. BIOSYSMO’s LinkedIn community passed 1,028 followers (>120,000 impressions), and X reached 639 followers (~30,000 impressions). Three newsletters, several press releases, and a CORDIS feature increased visibility. Partners contributed to events including MicrobeTech 2025, BioBIO, Pint of Science, and summer schools. The EU Bioremediation Cluster rebranded as ALL4BIOREM, strengthening joint communication and policy engagement. Exploitation advanced through updated SWOT/PESTLE analysis, expanded Key Exploitable Results, and refined valorisation pathways.
Microbial work progressed from isolation and characterisation to functional enrichment and ecological screening under realistic matrices. Plant-associated recruitment and mesocosm-based tests strengthened the link between microbial traits, pollutant profiles, and environmental conditions, enabling selection of robust consortia and plant–microbe systems for mixed-contaminant scenarios.
The computational framework was expanded, linking updated genomic, metabolic, and environmental datasets to model development. BIOSYSMOdb now enables cross-scale exploration of biodegradation pathways, metal-resistance traits, and plant–microbe interactions. HMM-based searches and genome-scale models supported prediction of degradation routes and prioritisation of candidates for mesocosm calibration and future deployment planning.
Synergistic remediation systems reached key milestones. Phragmites-based phytoremediation achieved >85–90% metal removal in mesocosms, exceeding intermediate KPIs and confirming scalability (TRL 3→5). Soil phytoremediation with engineered poplars plus beneficial consortia improved Zn/Cd uptake and stress tolerance under greenhouse conditions (TRL 3→4). Estuarine plant–bacteria systems removed pharmaceuticals and metals at microcosm scale and initiated mesocosm transfer (TRL 3→4). BES platforms advanced via 3D biofilms and tailored carriers, increasing removal of metals and hydrocarbons in real matrices (TRL 3–4→5). Bioaugmentation with engineered Pseudomonas strains progressed under controlled lab/mesocosm settings (TRL 3→4), respecting regulatory boundaries for GMOs.
Communication, dissemination, and exploitation efforts intensified. BIOSYSMO’s LinkedIn community passed 1,028 followers (>120,000 impressions), and X reached 639 followers (~30,000 impressions). Three newsletters, several press releases, and a CORDIS feature increased visibility. Partners contributed to events including MicrobeTech 2025, BioBIO, Pint of Science, and summer schools. The EU Bioremediation Cluster rebranded as ALL4BIOREM, strengthening joint communication and policy engagement. Exploitation advanced through updated SWOT/PESTLE analysis, expanded Key Exploitable Results, and refined valorisation pathways.
During RP2, BIOSYSMO delivered advances beyond the state of the art by integrating multi-omics discovery, metabolic modelling, and synergistic plant–microbe–electrochemical systems for mixed-pollutant environments. The project expanded a unified digital framework (BIOSYSMOdb) that links genomic, metabolic and environmental data, enabling predictive selection and optimisation of microbial strains and consortia rather than empirical trial-and-error. This represents a step-change in how biodegradation pathways and plant–microbe interactions can be designed and prioritised for real sites.
On the technological side, BIOSYSMO matured several bioremediation approaches beyond current practice: mesocosm-validated Phragmites systems achieving high metal removal, estuarine plant–bacteria systems showing effective pharmaceutical and metal removal, engineered poplars demonstrating enhanced metal uptake under controlled conditions, and advanced BES configurations with 3D biofilm architectures improving pollutant degradation in real matrices. Collectively, these advances support deployment of multi-component, nature-based remediation systems capable of addressing complex contaminant mixtures.
To ensure further uptake, BIOSYSMO is reinforcing open data, standardised protocols and knowledge transfer, while engaging stakeholders on regulatory pathways, IPR strategy, and market opportunities. Future success will depend on continued demonstration at pilot scale, clarity on regulatory frameworks for microbial applications and new genomic techniques, and access to investment for scale-up and circular-value pathways (e.g. biomass valorisation, metal recovery). These efforts position BIOSYSMO to contribute to EU leadership in safe and sustainable bioremediation technologies.
On the technological side, BIOSYSMO matured several bioremediation approaches beyond current practice: mesocosm-validated Phragmites systems achieving high metal removal, estuarine plant–bacteria systems showing effective pharmaceutical and metal removal, engineered poplars demonstrating enhanced metal uptake under controlled conditions, and advanced BES configurations with 3D biofilm architectures improving pollutant degradation in real matrices. Collectively, these advances support deployment of multi-component, nature-based remediation systems capable of addressing complex contaminant mixtures.
To ensure further uptake, BIOSYSMO is reinforcing open data, standardised protocols and knowledge transfer, while engaging stakeholders on regulatory pathways, IPR strategy, and market opportunities. Future success will depend on continued demonstration at pilot scale, clarity on regulatory frameworks for microbial applications and new genomic techniques, and access to investment for scale-up and circular-value pathways (e.g. biomass valorisation, metal recovery). These efforts position BIOSYSMO to contribute to EU leadership in safe and sustainable bioremediation technologies.