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2. Aims and objectives
The general goal of this proposal is the prevention and the riskbased management of organic pollutants in the soil and groundwater
system with special focus on mobilization and immobilization processes and related risks. In a first step the state-of-the-art in this
area will be identified, based on literature review focusing on the main mechanisms and processes governing the transport and the
fate of organic contaminants. Of special importance is the question how land use and climate change are influencing the natural attenuation
and mobilization processes. Based on the outcome of this review process, innovative strategies will be elaborated on the basis
of additional research information and methodological knowledge, thus contributing to the long-term risk-based management of organic
soil and ground water pollution. Results will be formulated in such a way that they are applicable by end-users.
Special focus will be directed towards pollutant retention processes by different soil constituents, looking at the strength of binding
forces and the long-term stability of such compounds. The question involved is the definition of risks, which remain after the removal of
non-bound or less-bound pollutants. Moreover, the release of OMcolloids loaded with pollutants is specifically judged under the aspect
of their contribution to organic pollutant mobilization and leaching. This includes the colloidal transport on long distances in the soil
and groundwater system and the spreading of pollutants caused by these transport processes. Of special interest will be the time scale
and the risks caused by these fractions. Knowledge on how the binding of pollutants to colloids interferes with natural attenuation
processes is still limited and is therefore subject of this investigation. On this base, the limits of natural attenuation for mitigating risks will
be assessed.
The results of these investigations will be published in different forms but with clear focus on end- users. M.Sc. and PhD.
students will be invited to participate in this project.
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3. Basis and cooperation
The project is based on literature research about anionic organic pollutants, their fate in soil under environmental changes through
climate or land use, and the definition of gaps for risk management and for more innovative strategies for better risk assessment in future.
Therefore the main target of the project are processes of immobilization and mobilization in order to define the limits in space and
time of natural attenuation processes of organic pollutants, depending on different soil constituents, especially soil organic matter
(SOM). Also the influence of environmental changes, caused by land use or climate change will be assessed.
All partners will cooperate in all steps of the project by the preparation of specific literature reviews. During two workshops the results
of own research and literature studies will be discussed and systematically ordered, defining the state of the art and the knowledge
gaps, which hinder the understanding of the system.
Based on this, research approaches for closing these gaps and indicators based on available knowledge will be defined, helping endusers,
e.g. managers and/or stakeholders to take decisions. Furthermore, the outcome of these endeavours will be discussed together
with end-users and finally formulated in a document. Also, new methodological approaches and their applicability for end-users
will be elaborated, especially new and innovative concepts and methods for end-users.
A central role of the co-ordinator will be the establishment of a website on a pre-registered domain. Part of this web-site will be password
protected and devoted to internal dissemination of project objectives, schedules, methods and results. The public part of the
web-site will contain a summary of results of the project and the participating institutions, and will allow public dissemination of project
objectives, methods and scientific progress.
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4. Perspectives
The participation of end-users will help to focus efforts for the generation of outputs (e.g. reports, papers in scientific journals, master
works, PhD-works, manuals of methods for end-users and other research institutions, presentation of the results in specific national or
international conventions, etc.) which should be scientifically sound but also applicable in practice.
Based on the general project results and conclusions, concepts will be developed for further national and international research projects.
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5. Results
The project just past its midterm. The midterm report is under evaluation by the SNOWMAN Call Steering Committee.
As soon as it is approved, first results will be implemented into this page.
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