A review of the state of the art unveils a paradox. It is generally agreed that nutrient and CECs removal processes are microbially mediated and that degrading microbial communities live in biofilms. Yet, biofilms are considered a nuisance, microbial community research on degradation is scarce and most RT models of biodegradation do not acknowledge microorganisms’ participation.

The overall objective of ConMimo is to advance the understanding of microbial communities’ dynamics and functions to the point that biofilm growth can be controlled as provider of environmental services (degradation of recalcitrant compounds, denitrification at the basin scale or ammonium nitrification at livestock slurry disposal sites, among other). ConMimo is centered on the biofilm developing during MAR-SAT applications. The specific objectives acknowledged are:

1)Develop a methodology to perform biofilm growth in batch and column experiments varying the substrate, water chemistry and flow conditions, and performing tracer tests

2)Understand microbial community growth and its controlling variables Understand the evolution of biofilm functions regarding biochemical reactions, including the potential of biofilms to reduce CECs and pathogens and their indicators

3)Develop analytical techniques to monitor biofilm formation and management and their impact on the removal of CECs

4)Understand the evolution of hydraulic and transport properties as biofilm evolves

5)Translate the above understanding into numerical simulation tools of biochemical reactions, accounting for microbial community growth

6)Use models to analyze the potential large (in aquifer) scale application of nature-based solutions to denitrification or in situ nitrification of ammonium polluted sites

Test these concepts and models at the Palamós pilot site and the Cambrils SAT basin.