BioremUAB is a consolidated research group of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona whose general objective is to develop biodegradation processes of pollutants of industrial origin present in effluents, groundwater and soils.
We are a multidisciplinary team formed by teaching and research staff and our research ranges from basic science to increase the knowledge about these processes to applied projects in situ in collaboration with companies and public administrations.
Industrial pollutants, in general, have as a common characteristic their persistence in the environment, adverse health effects and a low removal rate with conventional treatments. Our research has focused on developing processes that transform these pollutants into non-hazardous compounds through the application of the most appropriate microorganisms in each case: bacteria (aerobic or anaerobic), fungi and algae.
In recent years, the group has specialized in the use of ligninolytic fungi, since they have a broad non-specific enzymatic system, capable of degrading various types of pollutants, both priority and emerging in effluents. Another line of research focuses on bioremediation processes of groundwater contaminated with hydrocarbons, using dehalorespiratory bacteria to transform halogenated organic compounds (e.g., perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, chloroform, among others) and gasoline derivative degrading bacteria (BTEX). In the case of microalgae, we develop purification processes in which we study the assimilation of nutrients and degradation of emerging pollutants in effluents such as urban wastewater and digestate. Finally, BioremUAB has extensive experience in the treatment of organic waste by anaerobic digestion. In all processes we try to close the waste cycle and obtain treated water for reuse.
