Scale-up of Mycorrhizal-Assisted Phytoremediation System from Technology Readiness Level 6 (Relevant Environment) to 7 (Operational Environment): Cost-benefits within a Circular Economy Context

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the costs-benefits of a particular phytomining methodology named mycorrhizal-assisted phytoremediation (MAP). This MAP system is responsible for phytostabilization and/or phytoextraction of secondary and critical raw materials from contaminated soil or mining wastes. To this aim, we evaluated the application of MAP in a modified constructed wetland, the vegetable depuration module (VDM), which permits the calibration of physical-chemical-biological variables in a contaminated substrate, as well as the partition of chemical elements within the liquid phase due to leaching and solid phases (biomass and soil). This successful methodology allows to scale-up from a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 (demonstration in a relevant environment) toward TRL 7 (demonstration in an operational environment), which implies the transfer to the territory.