Over the next 3 years, an international consortium consisting of researchers from the University of Barcelona, GIRO Technology Centre and the Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung, in Leipzig (Germany) will study the application of molecular and isotopic techniques to determine biodegradation mechanisms and design strategies for the bioremediation of aquifers contaminated with organochlorine compounds.

Research will be carried out in Òdena, in a highly complex site related to an old factory of synthetic pesticides and other chemicals. The presence of different pollutants stored in underground tanks and inappropriate waste management are mainly responsible for the contamination of an aquifer in this area of the Anoia region.

Specifically, researchers will study mechanisms of microbial degradation of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichlorethylene (TCE), i.e., the ability of microorganisms to break down pollutants in the simplest and safe chemicals for the environment. In this context, researchers’ objective is to determine the effectiveness of new methods based on the use of molecular biology and cutting-edge tools such as the geochemical analysis of stable isotopes to determine the degradation mechanisms for these organochlorine compounds present in two different areas of the aquifer. On the other hand, it is also intended to evaluate different bioremediation systems (a clean technology that stimulates the natural potential of microorganisms to remove or transform pollutants into harmless compounds) for their future application in situ at the site.

This research project, called IMOTEX-BOX, is funded by the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) with a total budget of 75,000 Euros. Participation by the GIRO Technology Centre, the UPC consortium centre, the City of Mollet and IRTA, will be monitored by Dr. Marc Viñas, with the collaboration of Dr. Francesc Prenafeta, Ms. Anna Burniol and Ms. Míiriam Guivernau.