Case Studies
7 case studies
In seven case studies located throughout Europe, the consortium will combine robust remote sensing tools and geographic information system based methods to improve the monitoring of contaminated soils and better understand specific pollution sources. Lab and field studies will also be performed to validate the technological readiness and cost-effectiveness of nature-based solutions as a remediation strategy for reducing soil contamination in urban, peri-urban and rural settings. To establish a self-sustained and replicable market for these nature-based solutions, partners will develop performance indicators to measure economic benefit and cost prevention, as well as tailored ecological finance instruments.
Discover our Case Studies
CARRIERES SOUS POISSY, FRANCE
Located northwest of Paris, this 3000 hectare agricultural site received an influx of raw wastewater during the 20th century. The site is moderately contaminated with heavy metals (cadmium, lead, and zinc), PAH and pesticides from crop cultivation. Phytoextraction is expected to provide the greatest benefits in terms of depollution. Data from past and current research projects will be re-used. One hectare of land on this site is dedicated to the EDAPHOS project, and the set-up of a living lab is expected in 2023-2024.
KOZANI, GREECE
KOZANI, GREECE
Located near Prosilic Kozanis, this peri-urban lignin mining site has concentrations of nickel twenty times higher than normal levels. The site had a high potential for discovering new microbial species that play a role in soil depollution, specifically in the case of nickel remediation. The phytostablisation crop trials set up in GOLD, a previous project, will be transferred to EDAPHOS. In addition, agroforestry trials will be established to increase nickel decontamination using nickel-hyperaccumulating species. One hectare of land on this site is dedicated to the EDAPHOS project.
ODIEL BASIN AREA, SPAIN
ODIEL BASIN AREA, SPAIN
Located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, this site is home to one of the largest sulphide areas in the world. This ancient mining area now hosts numerous abandoned mining sites that generate severe metal pollution due to acid mine drainage. As a result, the surrounding water has been severely polluted. The main contaminants include arsenic, lead, zinc and cadmium, with considerable amounts of copper, manganese and mercury present as well. The project will focus on the phytoextraction of zinc and cadmium using poplars. Over twenty hectares of land are dedicated to the EDAPHOS project trials.
UPPER SILESIAN COAL BASIN, SILESIAN VOIVODSHIP, POLAND
UPPER SILESIAN COAL BASIN, SILESIAN VOIVODSHIP, POLAND
Located within the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, this site has been severely degraded because of coal mining activities. The main contaminants include heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, zinc, and cadmium, with considerable amounts of copper and manganese as well. Phytoremediation techniques targeting phytoextraction commonly used to remove heavy metals from soil will be applied. One half to one hectare is dedicated to the EDAPHOS project trials.
GALLIERA, ITALY
GALLIERA, ITALY
Located north of the city of Bologna, the municipality of Galliera hosts this urban site that has been contaminated with pesticide residues. The main contaminants include heavy metals such as copper and lead, DDT, PAH and PCB. Phytoextraction and phytodegradation as well as adequate agronomic management practices will result in the greatest benefits in terms of depollution for this site. Between one half to one hectare will be dedicated to the EDAPHOS project trials.
VIEUX-CHARMONT, FRANCE
VIEUX-CHARMONT, FRANCE
Located in the Bourgogne Franche Comté region, this site is highly contaminated with heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc, as well as PAH. It is home to a living lab co-constructed by industrial partners, local inhabitants and the administration and opened in 2023. There is a high potential on this site for discovering plant and microbial species that play a role in soil depollution. Two hectares will be dedicated to the project and serve as a front-runner site for the implementation of future living labs in other EDAPHOS case studies.
LAVRIO, GREECE
LAVRIO, GREECE
Located in a dense agricultural area of the southeast of Greece, this site has been contaminated by ancient and more recent mining and metallurgical activities. This lignin mining area has high lead and zinc concentrations. With GOLD, a previous project, phytostabilisation crop trials were established and will be transferred to EDAPHOS. This site shows a high potential for discovering new plant, and microbial species that play a role in soil depollution.