MERcury CLean-Up system based on Bioremediation by marine bacteria (MER-CLUB)

MER-CLUB was a three-year project funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), aimed at addressing the global challenge of fighting mercury (Hg) pollution by providing new sustainable solutions based on bioremediation by marine bacteria for the decontamination of environmental reservoirs of Hg such as marine sediments.

Tangible results: The project built a multidisciplinary partnership towards the objective of designing a novel, pre-marketable Hg clean-up system for restoring mercury-impacted marine environments. A pilot study was performed in the facilities of AFESA Medio Ambiente S.A. using dredged Hg contaminated sediments as a proof of concept of the developed MER-CLUB technology.

Application/relevance: The clean-up system serves as a proof of concept for further development and commercial implementation. This project provides a deeper and fundamental understanding of the biological mechanisms controlling mercury cycling in aquatic systems. From an environmental perspective, it participates in the restoration of marine sediments, therefore improving the quality of seawater, the health of marine ecosystems and, ultimately, human health.