chimica oggi • Chemistry Today • Vol 24 nr 1 • January/February 2006 36 Biological decontamination Advanced science and technology for biological decontamination of sites affected by chemical and radiological nuclear agents NELSON MARMIROLI BORYS SAMOTOKIN MARTA MARMIROLI ELENA MAESTRI VALENTYN YANCHUK ABSTRACT The main objectives of the NATO ASI “Advanced Science and Technology for Biological Decontamination of Sites Affected by Chemical and Radiological Nuclear Agents”, Zhytomyr (Ukraine), August 2005 were training of participants in the science and technology of biological decontamination related to radionuclides and chemical substances, explosives, ammunitions and fuels; and describing and discussing the present state-of-the-art, and the further developments required for commercial applications. These topics are up-to-date in a global context because of increased sensitivity towards environmental problems in many countries. The main output of the school is to set off collaborations of scientists and technicians with state and governmental agencies, with regulators, economists, and evaluators. Viable and successful communication is a priority for factual implementation of decontamination practices. The NATO ASI “Advanced science and technology for biological decontamination of sites affected by chemical and radiological nuclear agents” held in Zhytomyr (Ukraine) on 17-28 August 2005 addressed the topics of biological decontamination of pollution related to chemical, radiological and nuclear agents. The main objectives of the initiative were: (i) to train participants for principles of scientific and technology of biological decontamination, bioremediation and phytoremediation, with particular emphasis on sites contaminated by radionuclides and chemical substances connected with explosives, ammunitions and fuels; (ii) to describe and discuss the present state-of-the-art, the latest developments, and the further advances required for commercial applications; (iii) to stimulate future interactions and collaborations in this technologically important field of study. Contamination of soils and waters by human activities is an important and widespread problem. Among the sources of contamination, organic and inorganic substances can affect in different ways individual organisms, human populations, and ecosystems (1). In particular, sites which have been in the past utilised for military instalments, weapon production and nuclear power plants represent a considerable threat to environment and human health because of the specific pollutants that can be dispersed, for example: solvents, explosives, fuels, radionuclides, heavy metals, and metalloids (2). Remediation technologies for these contaminated sites have been developed based on conventional systems utilising physical and chemical treatments, such as excavation and incineration, pump- and-treat methods, ultraviolet oxidation (3, 4). However, these approaches are usually very expensive, and can involve the removal of large amounts of soil or water, which often leads to resources depletion and limitation in the future utilisations of the site. Recently, new decontamination approaches, based on living organisms, in particular micro-organisms and plants, have been prospected as a more sustainable alternative characterised by low costs, reduced environmental impact, and increased public acceptance. Development of biological decontamination techniques has been carried out in several laboratories and research institutions worldwide, and practical applications in the field on contaminated sites have been recorded in several countries. In particular, it’s worth being underlined that in the USA and Canada several commercial companies have been utilising these approaches for years, alongside conventional techniques, with great success; a bright example is in the context of U.S. EPA “Superfund innovative technology evaluation program”. (http://www.cluin.org/download/remed/phytoresgude.pdf http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/lrpcd/rr/phytores.htm). In the European Union commercialisation of phytotechnologies and bioremediation technologies is still scant, even though groups of high-level scientists are actively involved in research on this very topic. Constraints to the application of biological decontamination technologies can be attributed to the legislation and to the endpoints requirements for cleanup, to economic considerations about costs and benefits, and to the limited knowledge about long-term effects on the environment. There is a strong need for training of new professionals to be employed in commercial or governmental initiatives, who should master both the scientific background of biological decontamination and specific features of “in- field” applications. As the most relevant pollution