IUNAT: Environmental Chemical Analysis

Affiliated Research areas

• Pharmacology and toxicology
• Solid state materials chemistry

Scientific Areas

• Not available

Keywords

• Microplastics
• Environmental Analysis
• Emerging contaminants
• Contaminación marina
• Wastewaters

Summary

- Study and optimization of clean methodologies for extraction/preconcentration and determination of organic compounds of environmental interest: The presence of organic compounds of environmental interest in the environment requires a previous extraction and pre-concentration procedures of these contaminants, due to the low concentrations that they present in this type of samples, as well as their complexity. The main aim of this research line is the optimization and development of new analytical methods for extraction/pre-concentration and determination of organic contaminants in matrices of environmental interest. In this sense, extraction/preconcentration techniques based on both solid phase extraction (SPE) and microextraction techniques will be used to simplify procedures, as well as reduce analysis times and costs.
- Presence and monitoring of organic microcontaminants in the marine environment: The control of contamination by organic micro-pollutants in the marine environment is one of the most important aspects in the study of the quality of this natural ecosystem. In this sense, this research line focuses on the study of the presence of these contaminants in different matrices from this medium (water, sediments and organisms). Also, this study includes spatial and temporal monitoring of different families of pollutants that may have an impact on the environment. Likewise, the presence of microplastics in marine areas and of contaminants adsorbed on them is studied.
- Analysis and control of pollutants in groundwater, wastewater, coastal waters and submarine emissaries: This line focuses on the determination of organic contaminants of environmental interest, including the so-called emerging contaminants (pharmaceutical residues, endocrine disruptors, personal care products, etc.). in liquid and solid samples from wastewater, groundwater and submarine outfalls, as well as in solid samples from wastewater treatment plants (sludge, wetland waste, etc.) and other solid environmental samples of interest. Also, includes the study of the presence of microplastics and contaminants adsorbed on them in this kind of matrices.