The Environmental Pollution & Agriculture (EPA) is part of the Environmental Chemistry Department at the IDAEA. This research group is focused on the natural processes affecting to the fate of contaminants in the environment to find nature based approaches to mitigate chemical pollution and the associated impact of human activity on the ecosystems. The research lines range from environmental chemistry to environmental forensics to identify the pollution sources and the key processes affecting to their fate in the environment. Non target screening and metabolomic methods are developed to get further insight into the contaminant degradation pathways and their impacts into the downstream environment.
- Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Systems
- Biogeochemistry of Mercury in Ecosystems
- Fate of Contaminants in Agroecosystems
Permanent Researchers
Postdoc Researchers
PhD Students
Technical
Administration
Communication and Outreach
Projects and Fundraising
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
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
Start Date: 01/07/2019 – End Date: 30/06/2023
Project Leader: Víctor Matamoros Mercadal
Researchers: Josep Maria Bayona Termens , Benjamí Piña Capó
Funding: European Project
https://lifespotproject.eu/
PRIMA
Decision support-based approach for sustainable water reuse application in agricultural production (DSWAP)
PRIMA wants to develop modular cost- and energy-efficient wastewater treatment networks specifically designed for crop irrigation that ensure public health, environmental and soil quality and long-term agronomic sustainability.
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
http://prima-med.org/
MAPE
Reducción del uso de mercurio en comunidades dedicadas a la minería artesanal y en pequeña escala en Colombia (MAPE)
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining represents the largest source of anthropogenic mercury contamination. The final objective of the project is to promote sustainable processes to improve the environmental situation and living conditions of artisanal mining communities. As an indicator of success, a control of mercury concentrations in the population will be carried out before and after the training of miners in safety measures and alternative techniques.
Start Date: 01/04/2019 – End Date: 31/12/2020
Project Leader: Sergi Díez Salvador
ATRATO
Evaluación del grado de contaminación por mercurio y otras sustancias tóxicas, y su afectación en la salud humana en las poblaciones de la cuenca del río Atrato, como consecuencia de las actividades de minería
Start Date: 01/01/2019 – End Date: 01/07/2021
Project Leader: Sergi Díez Salvador
ATRATO
Evaluación del grado de contaminación por mercurio y otras sustancias tóxicas, y su afectación en la salud humana en las poblaciones de la cuenca del río Atrato, como consecuencia de las actividades de minería
Evaluación del grado de contaminación por mercurio y otras sustancias tóxicas, y su afectación en la salud humana en las poblaciones de la cuenca del río Atrato, como consecuencia de las actividades de minería. (ATRATO)
Project Leaders: Coordinator: JL Marrugo, IP Spain: S. Díez
Start Date: 01/01/2019 – End Date: 01/07/2021
Project Leader: Sergi Díez Salvador
SIMAGUA
Unravelling the effect of chemical signalling on the attenuation of contaminants by symbiosis. Advances in the biological treatment of wastewater. CTM2017-91355-EXP
To demonstrate the advantages of phyto/ phycoremediation in the biodegradation of pollutants, but without the presence of vegetation (plants and microalgae) and therefore reduce both the high surface area and light demand.
Funding: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (CTM2017-91355-EXP)
Start Date: 01/11/2018 – End Date: 31/12/2020
Project Leader: Víctor Matamoros Mercadal
Researchers: Mònica Escolà Casas
Funding: National Project
https://simagua.site123.me/
AGRICLOSE
Improvement and disclosure of efficient techniques for manure management towards a circular and sustainable agriculture
Improvement and disclosure of efficient techniques for manure management towards a circular and sustainable agriculture
https://agriclose.eu/
Start Date: 01/07/2018 – End Date: 01/06/2022
Project Leader: Josep Maria Bayona Termens
DAMA
Accumulation dynamics of antibiotics, metals and bacterial resistance genes in crops grown under organic soil fertilization
Organic fertilizers are the most suitable option to meet the circular economy guidelines proposed by the EU. Nevertheless, they are subjected to potential hazards, such as the presence of heavy metals, antibiotics and antibiotic resistant genes. DAMA project aims to analyse and assess the presence of these substances on vegetables and evaluate the risk to human health associated with their consumption.
Funding: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (AGL2017-89518-R)