Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

The project aims on the potential sustainability, economic and social benefits of renewable bioenergy in Canada by combining a number of beneficial natural properties of the fast growing woody (lignocellulosic) crop, willow. The project integrates willow bioremediation of contaminated land and wastewater with the delivery of sustainable bioenergy and green phytochemicals. The need for reclamation of contaminated land is substantial, with estimates of 650,000 contaminated sites in North America alone. Similarly, municipal wastewater requires treatment to limit environmental damage caused by pollutants. Here, we propose to produce a bioenergy crop on contaminated land and wastewater treatment sites whilst also alleviating the environmental impact of both. Fast growing willows are an ideal crop to achieve this as, in addition to being leading lignocellulosic crop in temperate regions, they are high yielding on polluted land. A logical secondary advantage of this is that phytochemical compounds (bioproducts) are made by the plant as a defence to stress, allowing contamination tolerance. We will exploit this natural response by using willow bioremediation trials to induce phytochemicals to vary in abundance. The project is designed within NSERC's target priority area of Natural Resources and Energy: Bioenergy and Bioproducts, which details the need for these reliable bioenergy solutions and innovative bioproducts to be addressed in a local and national context with impact to the global bioeconomy. The major outcomes, in addition to the anticipated scientific breakthroughs, are enhanced bioenergy potential and phytochemicals production of a lignocellulosic crop. The research has important implications for policy makers and the public concerned with: mitigating wastewater and contaminated land environmental impact, increasing renewable energy and green chemical production. The project brings together leading Canadian academics, federal government scientists, municipal government policy makers and advanced biotech companies in order to ensure the research will have beneficial economic, environmental and social change.*