TASK TASK - The Terra, Aqua & Site Remediation and Competence Centre Leipzig

The Terra-, Aqua- & Site Remediation Competence Centre Leipzig (TASK) is a joint project of the the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the 
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) which was funded in 2007 (TASK Phase I). Based on an analysis of already funded research products (concepts 
and technologies) as well as the situation at the market TASK will identify research products of high innovation potential. For selected technology lines 
and concepts TASK will then conduct technology transfer measures to increase the visibility and to promote the use of developed research products. These measures 
include annual product fairs, the organisation of workshops and expert panels, set-up of recommendations for policy makers, networking and teaching activities 
as well as product demonstrations at field sites. A focus of the TASK project will also be on East European Countries. Measures are implemented according to 
previously developed business plans. The TASK unit consist of a UFZ-based competence and coordination centre (national focal point at the Helmholtz Centre 
for Environmental Research) and a network of internationally accepted experts in the field of soil and groundwater remediation technologies. Activities 
in the Phase I focused mainly on products (technologies and concepts) addressing groundwater risk assessment, the use of natural attenuation in contaminated 
land management, and the application of remediation technologies. The business operations of TASK are implemented in Phase II which has started in November 
2008. The total project duration is four years.