About LIFE NARMENA

Find out here what we are researching in NARMENA

The LIFE project NARMENA, co-financed by the European Union, is a response to the objective of remediating contaminated soils and sediments in rivers, on riverbanks and on flood plains. It seeks to develop and implement sustainable, nature-based remediation methods that are both cost-effective and non-invasive. In Europe, these remediation techniques are not yet widely used in watercourses. It seems to be a major challenge to integrate this concept into remediation policy. 

Partners

OVAM implements this project together with the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB) and Natuurpunt, both owners and managers of nature reserves. The Flemish Environment Agency (VMM), as the watercourse manager of Grote Laak and Winterbeek and implementer of integrated water management, is also a partner in this project. Our experts in the field of soil research and remediation (ABO NV), phytoremediation
(Bio2Clean bvba) and Eco modelling (ARCHE Consulting bvba) provide a high-quality partnership for this challenging project.

Demonstration projects

LIFE NARMENA demonstration projects are being established for two types of nature-based remediation methods, which align sediment and soil remediation with nature conservation and water storage - artificial wetlands and phytoremediation. The sediments in almost 50% of Flanders watercourses are contaminated with heavy metals. While the source activities are often no longer present, contamination remains in the sediment and on river banks. The sediment and banks act as secondary source zones. A large number of natural floodplains are therefore currently at risk. This widespread water and sediment pollution poses a serious obstacle to the creation of retention areas, since pollution would spread even further. 

The demonstration projects will be rolled out in the valleys of three watercourses polluted by heavy metals. These three rivers - the Grote Calie (Turnhout), the Winterbeek (Scherpenheuvel-Zichem) and the Laak (Geel – Laakdal) – flow through Natura 2000 sites. By constructing phytoremediation fields and artificial wetlands, we aim to significantly reduce the bioavailability of the metals, in order to lower or eliminate potential risks to the ecosystem. Monitoring will mainly focus on the reduction of availability of metals such as chromium and cadmium, while changes in nutrient concentrations will also be kept track of, which is an expected, additional benefit of the techniques to be implemented.  

In-situ remediation and bioavailability

An important difference between conventional techniques and our nature-based techniques is that ours are done in situ - at the site itself.  This requires far fewer operations and drastic interventions that affect nature and the environment.

The CO2 emissions are also much lower, or virtually zero. There is no need, for example, for dozens of trucks to transport excavated soil and sludge. 

Unlike organic pollution, metals cannot be broken down. We therefore ensure that the metals are immobilised and can no longer migrate. This is done by means of biological processes. For example, by using certain plants that retain metals in their roots or convert metals into a non-harmful form.   

In monitoring the pilot projects, we make a distinction between total and bioavailable concentrations. Metals that are immobilised using nature-based techniques are therefore also no longer bioavailable. They can no longer be absorbed by organisms 

Eco modelling approaches will also be developed and applied to predict the impact of these innovative soil remediation techniques. What is the toxicological impact of a concentration change on certain organisms? What is the availability of a particular harmful substance? Answers to important questions like these can help decision-makers to impose threshold values for pollutants in sediments of watercourses.

Results

NARMENA's results and experiences will inspire us to develop a framework for the application of nature-based remediation. These results will then be compared with conventional techniques. Effectiveness and total cost of remediation will be taken into account, as well as CO2 emission and contribution to ecosystem services. The findings will be disseminated within the European Union to encourage competent authorities and relevant economic sectors to apply these techniques more often in vulnerable nature areas.

Team NARMENA

Address
Stationsstraat 110
2800 Mechelen
Route and accessibility
Telephone
+32 15 284 284
Email
narmena@ovam.be