This gel is made of mollusk shells and citrus peel. He would have the power to bring life back after deadly fires.
As Europe faces one of its worst years, if not the worst, in terms of wildfires in its recent history, news from the scientific community offers a ray of hope. A gel composed of mollusc shells and citrus peel that will bring burnt areas back to life has been designed by the interdisciplinary student team “iGEM Thessaloniki” from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece.
This gel, the first application of synthetic biology for forest areas, will contain plant seeds that will germinate, revitalizing the ecosystem after a fire. In hydrogel form, the gel will aid in water retention and absorption of soluble nutrients, and will be placed on the burnt ground. It is named “Euphoresis”, coming from the combination of the Greek words for “euphoria” and “genesis”.
The team’s scientific leader, Aristotle University Department of Medicine Assistant Professor Michalis Aivaliotis, said that “the gel contains microorganisms and seeds that can help a burnt area gradually regain its qualitative characteristics. so that plants and micro-organisms can grow back in. These specific micro-organisms help regenerate the soil in areas affected by fire while acting like a sponge, absorbing water and using it to allow seeds to In addition, it is very important that these microorganisms bind the toxic components and, through a process of regeneration, transform them into beneficial elements for the environment”.
Regarding the particular characteristics of each ecosystem affected by forest fires, Mr. Aivaliotis clarified that “this material should normally be used by forestry experts – environmentalists who will study the ecosystem where the material will be placed to regenerate the forest to its original form. original”. Currently, the first tests are underway. If this proves to be viable and feasible, then Aristotle University and the team will support the development of the idea.