• • The European project LIFE InBioSoil is developing and testing an innovative biological solution that uses microorganisms to achieve an estimated reduction of up to 85 percent of soil contaminants, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent compared to conventional soil remediation methods.

• • This in situ method treats soils contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons, which are compounds that can stay in the soil for many years, with potential effects on groundwater and the environment.

• • Two pilot tests will be carried out in Spain and Belgium, in locations with different geological characteristics and contamination concentrations, with the aim of validating the effectiveness of the proposed bioremediation technology.

The European project LIFE InBioSoil will develop and test an in situ bioremediation technology that uses microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, to decontaminate soils in a more sustainable way. The solution is expected to achieve up to an 85 percent reduction in contaminants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent compared to conventional treatments, which typically involve excavation, chemical or thermal treatments.

This new approach avoids the need to excavate the soil and transport it to a landfill, enabling on-site operations. It targets soils from the unsaturated zone contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons, which can persist in the environment for decades, affecting water resources, disrupting ecosystem functionality and posing risks to food safety.

The method represents an innovative in situ biological approach based on injecting microorganisms to degrade soil contaminants. Specifically, LIFE InBioSoil is testing a low-pressure SPIN® injection technology using selected fungi and bacteria capable of breaking down harmful substances.

“The aim of the project is to demonstrate that nature-based treatments can replace traditional methods that require excavating the soil or heating it to very high temperatures,” explains Carme Bosch, Head of the Soil and Groundwater Research Line within Eurecat’s Water, Air and Soil Unit. “This approach allows us to decontaminate soil directly in situ, reducing costs, emissions and environmental impact,” she adds.

The project, coordinated by the Eurecat technology centre and involving partners from Spain and Belgium, including Tecnoambiente, Injectis and Novobiom, will carry out two pilot tests in both countries.

In Spain, the pilot will take place at a service station, while in Belgium it will be conducted within the grounds of Brussels Airport. The two locations feature different geological conditions and contamination levels, with the objective of validating the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

“InBioSoil offers a real opportunity to make soil decontamination more sustainable,” highlights Sònia Jou, the project’s Technical Coordinator and researcher at Eurecat’s Water, Air and Soil Unit. “By avoiding excavation, we prevent waste generation and help restore the natural balance of the soil ecosystem.”

The project supports the objectives of the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 and the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, contributing to the European Green Deal’s goal of achieving zero pollution and restoring 100% of contaminated soils in Europe by 2050.

LIFE InBioSoil, which began in 2025 and will run until 2029, has received funding from the European Union’s LIFE Programme.