Objectives

The main objective of the CARESOIL-CM program is to address soil and groundwater contamination through the development and application of advanced technologies for their characterization, monitoring, management and remediation. It focuses on the use of non-invasive and sustainable techniques, including geophysical and geochemical methods, predictive hydrogeological models, artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as low-impact physicochemical, bioremediation and phytoremediation treatments. In addition, waste valorization is prioritized in the context of the circular economy and the ecological and digital transition and special attention is given to emerging pollutants such as microplastics, PFASs and pharmaceuticals.

CARESOIL-CM is made up of 7 groups:

• Two UCM groups (UCM-1, Principal Investigator and programme coordinator Dr. Aurora Santos, with researchers from the UCM Faculties of Chemistry and Pharmacy), UCM-2 (PI Dr. Alfonso Muñoz, with researchers from the Faculty of Geological Sciences).
• Two groups from UPM (UPM-1, principal investigator Dr. Bárbara Biosca and UPM-2, principal investigator Dr. Fernando Barrio), both groups from the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía (UPM).
• A group from the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (ICA) of the CSIC led by DR. Marco Panettieri.
• A group from IMDEA Water led by Dr. Ana de Santiago.
• A group from IMIDRA. Led by Dr. Carmen Lobo.

General activities

• Development of advanced contamination characterization and monitoring techniques, and development and application of geochemical techniques to enhance the characterization of contaminated sites.
• Creation of hydrogeological models that describe the dispersion and transport of contaminants in the subsurface and groundwater
• Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to optimize the characterization of contaminated sites, design remediation treatments, and develop predictive models, reducing the necessary experimental and economic effort.
• Promotion of nature-based remediation methods, such as bioremediation and phytoremediation, which use microorganisms and plants to sustainably decontaminate soils and groundwater, minimizing environmental and social impacts. These are used alone or in treatment trains with low-impact physicochemical technologies.
• Recovery and valorization of urban and agricultural waste for use in the remediation of soils and groundwater, promoting sustainability and waste reduction in the context of a circular economy.

Expected impact

The program aims to improve the characterization and remediation of contaminated sites, optimize predictive models, and develop sustainable technologies applicable in various contexts. Additionally, it seeks to promote the circular economy through waste valorization and minimize the environmental impact of remediation activities, thereby contributing to the ecological and digital transition.

This integral and multidisciplinary approach not only aims to solve specific contamination problems but also to establish solid foundations for future research and technological applications in environmental management and remediation.

This project has been funded through the R&D activities program with reference TEC-2024/ECO-69 and acronym CARESOIL-CM granted by the Community of Madrid through the Directorate General for Research and Technological Innovation via Order 5696/2024.