WORKPACKAGES
- work at the lab
WP1
WP1 develops a MICROBIAL DETECTION TOOL to monitor the microbial consortium across project WPs.
Molecular based techniques will be tested, optimized and validated for specificity and reproducibility.
WP2
WP2 optimizes microbial ENCAPSULATION with biochar in alginate beads, forming bioactive encapsulates for enhanced microbial persistence and functionality.
Different biochar proportions and pore sizes will be tested, as they influence microbial colonization and pollutant adsorption.
The most effective formulation will be selected for WP3 trials. The ability of microbial consortia to restore biochar’s BTX adsorption capacity via degradation of adhered BTX will be evaluated.
WP3
WP3 evaluates the impact of the selected bioactive encapsulates in planta under urban scenario simulations (BTX pollution, temperature, light – average Mediterranean conditions).
To improve mechanistic insight, different soil amendments will be tested: 1) bioactive encapsulates, 2) encapsulated biochar alone, 3) encapsulated microbial consortia alone, 4) dry microorganisms and biochar, 5) uninoculated substrate.
Air quality (BTX, TVOCs, CO₂) and plant resilience will be assessed. Soil microbiome composition and function will be analyzed using Next-Generation Sequencing and phenotypic microarrays.
WP1 tool will track the WALL-E microbial consortium persistence and soil BTX content will be analysed.
