Sessions

CONGRESS TOPICS: 

Session 1: Analysis and bioavailability of metals

Chairs: Stephane Simon, Gilles Guibaud, University of Limoges, France

The session focuses on the assessment of metals and metalloids speciation, fractionation, bioavailability and fate in high microbial density environments. Such matrices are particularly challenging to study due to the high diversity and concentration of compounds and biomass that can induce a complex speciation of the element and also generate interferences during analysis. 

 Topics:

  • Analytical method developments
  • Sampling and sample preparations 
  • Applications and monitoring in complex matrices (e.g. biological reactors, digestates, sludges, effluents …) 
  • Speciation modelling 
  • Mechanisms of metal reactivity  
  • Bioavailability assessment

Keynote speaker: Eric D. van Hullebusch, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris – University of Paris, France

Session 2: Microbial interactions with metal – from cells to microbial communities

Chairs: Ana Paula Mucha, CIIMAR and Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Portugal and Alexandre de Menezes, National University of Galway Ireland

This session focuses on the microbial interactions with bioavailable metals at different scales, from cells to complex microbial communities. This includes relationships between specific microorganisms and metals, along with the mechanistic roles of metals in cell function and metallo-enzyme activity.  Impact of metals on microbiomes, will also be addressed in this session, including those underpinning waste treatment biotechnology (e.g. anaerobic digestion, wastewater treatment plants) or microbial communities in natural habitats (e.g. soils, sediments, rivers, seas).

 Topics:

  • TM requirements and metabolic pathways
  • TM regulation of cell-cell interactions
  • TM interaction with water waste treatment microorganisms
  • TM interaction with solid waste treatment microorganisms
  • TM impact in natural microbial communities
  • Advanced analytical tools for characterization of TM-microbial interactions

Keynote speaker: Ales Lapanje, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Session 3: Mathematical Modelling of metal-microbe interactions in biotechnologies: from cell to reactor scale

Chairs: Maria Rosaria Mattei and Giovanni Esposito, University of Naples Federico II, Italy

This session focuses on mathematical modelling of metal-microbe interactions in biotechnologies. Phenomena at different scale will be discussed: cell-metal interaction at microscale; metal interactions in microbial communities (effect on attached biofilms, flocs and granules); Metal dynamics at macro scale (reactors and natural systems).

 Topics:

  • Modelling metal effects on microbial kinetics: stimulation and inhibition
  • Modelling metal-microbe interactions in suspended/attached biofilm communities
  • Modelling TM fate in anaerobic reactor systems
  • Modelling TM fate in porous media

Keynote speaker: Luigi Frunzo, University of Naples Federico II, Italy

Session 4: Biotechnologies for metal-microbe applications

Chairs: Antonio Serrano, University of Granada, Spain and Denys Villa Gomez, University of Queensland, Australia

The session focuses on biotechnologies where metals play a key role. Biotechnologies where metals act as a nutrient, as a biocatalyzer, as a contaminant or as resource to be recovered will be covered in this session. Special attention will be done to selective metal recovery biotechnologies. Anaerobic digesters, soil reclamation processes or bioprocesses in the food industry among others are clear examples of biotechnologies, where the addition of trace metals is often done, the latest research of the role of trace metals as nutrient will be covered in this session.  Treatment of metal containing waste will be also covered.

 Topics:

  • Selective metal recovery biotechnologies
  • Metals influencing the performance of environmental biotechnologies
  • Metal-microbe applications for wastewater treatment
  • Metal-microbe applications for solid waste treatment
  • Metal-microbe applications for gas treatment
  • Novel bioreactors for acid mine drainage
  • Novel Nanobiohybrids applications

Keynote speaker: Denys Villa Gomez, University of Queensland, Australia

Session 5: Closing the loop for the circular economy: metal removal and recovery

Chairs: Marisa Almeida and Ana Paula Mucha, CIIMAR and Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal

This session focuses on waste re-use and potential metal recovery approaches promoting the circular economy. It is important to understand the effects of waste and wastewater disposal on element-cycling and microbial communities in soils, considering metal speciation, mobility and bioavailability, as well as the interactions among microbial populations and their metabolism. Besides, methodologies for waste valorisation and metal recovery, such as microbial-assisted phytoremediation and microbial-induced precipitation, should be explored.

Topics:

  • Recovery of Metals from Waste Streams and Secondary Resources
  • Bioleaching
  • Management of Metals in Contaminated Waste Streams
  • Fate of TM in the environment once anaerobic digestate is discharged
  • Conversion of solid anaerobic digestate into biochar
  • Microbial induced precipitation
  • Phytoremediation

Keynote speaker: Michel Chalot, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, France