With support of Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and in collaboration with GhEnToxLab (Ghent University), ARCHE Consulting embarked on the AQUADIVERS project.
AQUADIVERS: Entering a new era in assessing the possible biodiversity impact caused by metal releases into the aquatic environment
AQUADIVERS:
Entering a new era in assessing the possible biodiversity impact caused by metal releases into the aquatic environment
The European Green Deal pushes industry to protect biodiversity and urges the evaluation of the potential impact of industrial releases on biodiversity. However, the efficacy of the tools currently available to assess biodiversity impact is uncertain and not specifically tailored towards metal contamination. With support of Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and in collaboration with GhEnToxLab (Prof. Dr. Ir. Karel De Schamphelaere), Ghent University, ARCHE Consulting embarked on the AQUADIVERS project.
Using a tiered toolbox that combines traditional and innovative techniques, ARCHE Consulting can advise metal-processing companies on the most cost-effective methods to assess the impact, or lack thereof, of their emissions on biodiversity. The methodology entails the following consecutive steps:
- Bioavailability and metal mixture modeling: predict potential biodiversity risk based on measured metal concentrations and water chemistry.
- Biodiversity indices: selected biodiversity measures, including trait-based indices, that are specifically suited for metal emissions.
- Environmental DNA (metabarcoding): a method to directly monitor biodiversity through DNA from water samples in a cost-effective manner.
These techniques will be applied to three pilot sites in Flanders over the course of 2024 and 2025.
The AQUADIVERS project will set a new standard for sustainable industrial practices, combining next-gen science with real-world applications to help the metal industry protect biodiversity.
*Image generated by DALL-E 3.