Project title: Enhancing soil health and plant growth: Carbon-based remediation for heavy metal removal and microorganism enrichment
Acronym: EARTH-CARE
Field: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Biodiversity, Agriculture and Environment
Programme
5.8 European and international cooperation, 5.8.3 Subprogram Bilateral / multilateral mobility project Romania – France, Brancusi Integrated Actions Program
Contract no.: 2BMFR/2024
Financing Authority
Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI), Romania
Partner Romania
INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation
Donath Street 67, RO-400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Phone: +40-264-420590
Fax: 0264-420667
Email: oana.cadar@icia.ro
Project responsible: Dr. Oana Cadar
Partner France
Institute Jean Lamour
Philippe Séguin Street 27, Epinal, FR- 88000, Franta
Phone: +33(0)372749677
Email: vanessa.fierro@univ-lorraine.fr
Project responsible: Dr. Vanessa Fierro
Project duration
26.08.2024-31.12.2025
General objectives
O1. Assessment of the impact of activated carbon on soil health and fertility through heavy metal removal and microbial enrichment
O2. Development of scientific cooperation and joint research activities between the Romanian partner (INCDO INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation) and the French partner (Institute Jean Lamour) as a support to increase the number of researchers and organizations involved in international collaborations and to intensify Romania’s participation in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
Abstract
Environmental pollution represents a significant impediment to emerging a sustainable society, with negative consequences on the quality of the environment and human health. Developing technologies to remediate polluted soils received considerable interest, while the use of active carbon-based materials stands as an efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. The project team comprises a Romanian research institute (INCDO INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary, ICIA) and a French research institute (Institute Jean Lamour, IJL). The collaboration between the French partner dedicated in customizing carbon-based materials and the Romanian partner specialized in soil remediation with amendments based on porous materials is promising. The EARTH-CARE project aims to assess the impact of activated carbon on soil health and fertility through heavy metal removal and microbial enrichment. The results will be disseminated through articles published in ISI indexed journals and communications at national and international conferences. The project will contribute to developing scientific cooperation and joint research activities between the Romanian and French partners as support in increasing the number of researchers and organizations involved in international collaborations and Romania’s participation in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
WP1. Design of tailored activated carbons for soil decontamination and microorganism enrichment (2024)
A1.1. Visit of the Romanian researchers to the French partner. Design of tailored activated carbons with appropriate features for intended application
A1.2. Visit of the French researchers to the Romanian partner. Assessment of heavy metal mobility in soil by chemical extractions
A1.3. Results dissemination. Interim report
Obtained results
– optimized materials based on activated carbon
– experimental report on the evaluation of the mobility of heavy metals in soil
– ISI article: Senila, M.; Cadar, O. Composites Based on Natural Zeolites and Green Materials for the Immobilization of Toxic Elements in Contaminated Soils: A Review. Materials 2024, 17, 5977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235977.
Invited lectures
1. “Bio-sourced and low value-added precursors for porous materials production: Synthesis, characterization and applications”, Dr. Jimena Castro-Gutiérrez, Cluj-Napoca.
Working visits carried out during the bilateral project
1. Visit of the Romanian researchers to the French partner
Dr. Oana Cadar and drd. Eniko Kovacs: 21-27.10.2024
2. Visit of the French researchers to the Romanian partner
Dr. Jimena Castro-Gutiérrez and Drd. Monica Aoun: 08-13.12.2024
Other information
Dr. Oana Cadar
Contact: oana.cadar@icia.ro