Navanthus: a holistic and sustainable approach for bioremediation of freshwaters

30–40% of lakes and reservoirs worldwide are affected by anthropogenic eutrophication. Eutrophication is the environmental phenomenon in which the excessive accumulation of nutrients, such as Phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen (N), in water bodies leads to over-proliferation of cyanobacteria, production of cyanotoxins and decrease in dissolved oxygen levels. Phosphorus is often the main cause of eutrophication, since 80% of eutrophication in freshwaters is restricted by phosphorus, and 10% is related to nitrogen. Water quality degradation and public health risks are some of the phenomenon's global consequences, but biodiversity loss, considerable economic losses, and worsening climate change are the most critical.

One-third (⅓) of all vertebrate species can be found in freshwater habitats. This biodiversity is dramatically dwindling: Wetlands are disappearing 3 times faster than forests globally.

Greece is one of the most biodiverse European and Mediterranean countries. However, 43% of all freshwater fishes in Greece are under threat due to pollution and water mismanagement. In Thessaly, even though Lake Karla and Pineios River rank in the list of Natura 2000 protected areas, they are facing severe eutrophication. As the region of Thessaly relies entirely on agricultural income, restoring these ecosystems is crucial, providing benefits to society in many ways, mostly through tourism, fishing, and recreational activities that boost local economies.

Our goal is the development of a universal monitoring and phytoremediation approach in eutrophicated waters. The monitoring system will evaluate the ecological status of the water body and wherever it indicates critical levels of eutrophication, a Constructed Floating Wetland (CFW) will be implemented. The CFW will be made of mycelium, a biodegradable material, and it will carry genetically engineered plants for phosphorus removal from water bodies. After bioremediation, the plants' aboveground parts will eventually be collected and converted into fertilizer.