
Víctor Matamoros Mercadal
1387
victor.matamoros@idaea.csic.es
ORCID:
0000-0001-9701-4908
Research group: Environmental Pollution & Agriculture (EPA)
I am biochemist and biologist and my core expertise lies on understanding the role of vegetation in the behavior and fate of contaminants in the wastewater treatment and agricultural sectors. Since I awarded my advance fellow (RyC), and later my tenure position at the IDAEA-CSIC (Científico titular), I have built my own laboratory to understand: a) the effect of vegetation on the attenuation of contaminants through different nature-based water treatment solutions (microalgae, in-stream attenuation, wetland systems, river bank infiltration, buffer strips…), and b) the effect of chemical contaminants on crop productivity and human health due to the use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation. The most important findings accomplished during my research career include: a) the demonstration of the positive effect of vegetation in nature-based solutions on the attenuation of the so called emerging and priority contaminants from wastewater, and b) the demonstration that hydroponic cultivars are more prompt to show morphological (crop yield and quality) and physiological (metabolomic) changes due to the presence of chemical contaminants than conventional soil cultivars. This has been accomplished by participating in more than 10 international (HORIZON 2020) and national projects (National Programme for Research) from which I have been principal investigator of 4 of them (CTM2012-33547, AGL2014-59353-R, AGL2017-89518-R, and CTM2017-91355-EXP with >400,000 euros). I have published more than 60 peer-reviewed papers (Water Research, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Environmental Science and technology, etc.), 5 chapter books and 5 dissemination papers in public magazines (Tecnología del Agua, Investigación y Ciencia, etc.). My work is highly recognized internationally as illustrated by the large number of citations (>3300, Scopus source) that my publications have attracted, with a H-index of 33. I have been invited to several congresses and courses to give plenary speeches, and I have been member of the organizing committee of the WETPOL and ICEE congresses, chair of the scientific committee of the International Congress for Wetland Systems from IWA (2018), and associate editor of the WST journal.
EXSIMBIO
Use of simulated exudates to enhance the biodegradation of trace organic pollutants in biofilm reactors
Plants are able to stimulate soil microorganisms to degrade xenobiotics (trace organic contaminants) via their root exudates. Due to this, constructed-wetlands microorganisms are highly efficient in removing trace organic contaminants from wastewater. However, such stimulation occurs only within the reach of the plant-roots and therefore big extensions of land are needed to remove trace organic contaminants from wastewater.
Funding: Beatriu de Pinós 2018 Grant
Start Date: 01/02/2020 – End Date: 31/01/2023
Project Leader: Mònica Escolà Casas
Researchers: Víctor Matamoros Mercadal , Yolanda Rodríguez Espelta , Sandra Pulgar Garcia
Funding: National Project
DSWAP
Decision support-based approach for sustainable water reuse application in agricultural production (DSWAP)
The main goal of DSWAP is to develop modular cost- and energy-efficient wastewater treatment systems. By adopting a circular economy approach, it aims for safe and sustainable valorization of wastewater for irrigation, with minimized ecological and agronomic impacts.
Start Date: 01/07/2019 – End Date: 30/06/2023
Project Leader: Josep Maria Bayona Termens
Researchers: Benjamí Piña Capó , Víctor Matamoros Mercadal , Sylvia Mansilla Barrado
Funding: European Project
https://www.dswap-prima.eu/
LIFESpot
Green solutions for treating groundwater pollution to meet drinking water directive standards
The main objective of LIFE SPOT is to develop a new treatment process able to remove nitrates and micropollutants from polluted groundwater to produce drinking water of
good quality that meets the Directive 98/83/EC requirements. This will be applied in rural areas (50 inhabitants or <10m3/d, very small water supplies (VSWS)) of the
Mediterranean region, promoting the sustainability and resilience of rural areas, agriculture and tourism sectors.
Funding: LIFE programme (LIFE18 ENV / ES / 000199) UE