This research project endeavours to pioneer a biological solution for mitigating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from effluent gases produced by bioenergy combustion systems. The primary focus is on converting the captured CO2 into carbon-negative energy carriers, specifically emphasizing the photosynthetic conversion of biogenic CO2 into energy-rich biomass. The transformation of this biomass into widely used renewable energy carriers, such as biocrude and biogas, is targeted, with an additional emphasis on enriching these carriers with renewable hydrogen to achieve carbon circularity. The project is structured to address key aspects, including; efficient biogenic CO2 capture from effluent systems, development of resilient microalgae strains to enhance resistance to flue gas toxicity, novel biomass pre-treatment methods for cell disruption and nitrogen removal (concurrent production of biostimulants), and improvements in the efficiency and sustainability of hydrothermal liquefaction (biocrude), anaerobic digestion (biogas) and hydrogenotropic conversion of CO2 to biomethane. The ultimate goal is to validate the viability of the developed direct CO2 fixation methods through integration with effluent systems at a pilot scale, reaching TRL5. This multifaceted approach underscores the project's commitment to advancing sustainable and efficient methods for biogenic CO2 fixation and subsequent conversion into renewable energy carriers. To assess the economic viability, a detailed techno-economic analysis of the proposed carbon capture and use solution will be conducted. Furthermore, sustainability and social impact assessments will be performed, taking into account circular economy principles and addressing social, economic, and environmental aspects in alignment with the priorities outlined in the European Green Deal.

The occurrence of toxins typical from tropical environments in European Union (EU) temperate coastal waters has been sporadically reported in the past years, usually preceded by human intoxication episodes. Therefore, in order to avoid public health impacts, there is a need for adequate monitoring programs, establishing appropriate legislation, and for optimizing effective methods for the analysis of these toxins. However, due to the very limited quantitative data and the lack of validated analytical methodology, risk associated with the exposure to emergent toxins in EU is currently not possible to determine. In ETOXPT, we will assess the current situation on the incidence and routes of exposure of emergent toxins (i.e. ciguatoxins, CTXs; tetrodotoxin, TTX; palytoxins, PLTXs; and ß-methylamino-L-alanine, BMAA) in Portuguese coastal waters using reliable LC-MS/MS methods. Additionally, the relationship of emergent toxins concentrations and profiles within trophic levels will be evaluated. These field data will be complemented with a mesocosm experiment, in which the potential of CTXs transfer, biotransformation and biodegradation along the food web will be predicted. We will also evaluate the cytotoxicity of individual PLTXs and CTXs analogues. Concurrently, we will develop innovative approaches to analyze the emergent toxins using nanocontainers. ETOXPT will be useful to advance understanding of emergent toxins kinetics, both within individuals and among trophic levels and could support the development of predictive models of risk assessment and contribute to the integration of emergent toxins in shellfish monitoring programs.