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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260901T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260901T120000
DTSTAMP:20261018T164023Z
CREATED:20260824T061104Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T164023Z
UID:14103-1788256800-1788264000@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Ana Torres Agulló
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Ana Torres Agulló\, from the Chemometrics for Environmental Omics group\, will defend her thesis on 1st September at 10:00h in Aula Enric Casassas (Faculty of Physics\, Universitat de Barcelona) \nDirectors: Sílvia Lacorte and Angeliki Karanasiou \nThesis Committee: Soledad Muniategui\, Vânia Martins and Rosa Maria Marcé \nAbstract:\nMicroplastics have emerged as a ubiquitous environmental contaminant\, raising growing concern due to their potential impacts on human health. In the atmosphere\, these particles can be directly and continuously inhaled\, leading to their deposition throughout the human respiratory tract. However\, the assessment of airborne microplastics is challenged by their heterogeneous physicochemical properties\, coexistence with complex atmospheric matrices\, and the lack of standardized analytical methodologies and exposure assessment frameworks.\nIn this context\, this PhD Thesis aims to develop advanced analytical and chemometric methodologies to improve the characterization\, identification\, and exposure assessment of microplastics. A pyrolysis–gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry method was optimized for targeted and non-targeted analysis. The thermal fragmentation of plastic additives was systematically investigated to support reliable interpretation of pyrolysis data. To address data complexity\, chemometric strategies based on Regions of Interest Multivariate Curve Resolution were applied and further extended to incorporate liquid chromatography–ion mobility–mass spectrometry\, enabling improved resolution\, reduced data complexity\, and a more realistic interpretation of multidimensional datasets. These methodological developments were applied to real-world case studies in educational environments\, where microplastic occurrence\, polymer composition\, and associated additives were investigated in indoor and outdoor air. In addition\, different approaches for inhalation exposure assessment were evaluated\, including respiratory deposition modelling and human biomonitoring through nasal lavage samples.\nOverall\, this Thesis provides an integrated framework combining advanced analytical techniques\, chemometric data analysis\, and monitoring to improve the understanding of airborne microplastics and their potential relevance for indoor air quality and human exposure studies.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-ana-torres-agullo/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260717T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260717T123000
DTSTAMP:20261018T164015Z
CREATED:20260626T084716Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T164015Z
UID:14101-1784284200-1784291400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Animesh Nepal
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Animesh Nepal\, from the Groundwater and Hydrogeochemistry group\, will defend his thesis on 17th July at 10:30h in Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria de Camins\, Canals i Ports de Barcelona (UPC\, Campus Nord Building B1. Classroom: 003 C/Jordi Girona\, 1-3 08034 Barcelona) \nDirectors: Marco Dentz and Juan J. Hidalgo \nThesis Committee: Luis Cueto-Felgueroso\, Ramón Planet and Maarten Saaltink \nAbstract: \nImmiscible fluid displacements in porous media is governed by the interplay of capillary forces\, pore geometry\, wettability\, and driving conditions. Under quasistatic conditions\, this interplay gives rise to metastable interfacial configurations\, abrupt interface rearrangements (Haines jumps)\, interface pinning\, and macroscopic pressure–saturation hysteresis. This thesis develops a pore-scale framework to explain how these phenomena emerge and how they can be predicted. The work combines laboratory experiments\, numerical simulations in two and three spatial dimensions\, and analytical models derived from hydrostatic–capillary pressure balance and interfacial energy arguments. The investigation progresses from simple geometries representing a single pore (ink-bottle and wavy capillaries) to connected porous media (homogeneous and heterogeneous porous media)\, allowing direct identification of fundamental mechanisms and their collective effects. \nIn single-pore ink-bottle geometries\, the results show that interfacial behavior is controlled by a critical geometric condition: below this threshold\, interfaces evolve smoothly\, whereas above it\, interfaces become unstable and jump\, resulting in hysteresis during imbibition and drainage. The occurrence and magnitude of jumps depend systematically on the contact angle\, surface tension\, and constriction angle\, and are accurately captured by theory. The thesis then demonstrates that driving mode is also a primary control parameter by analyzing two different capillaries (ink-bottle and wavy capillary tube). Under pressure-driven cyclic displacement\, jumps and hysteresis arise from the loss of interfacial stability. Under volume-driven displacement\, however\, imposed volume constraints suppress jump transitions\, eliminate capillary hysteresis\, and force the interface to retrace identical imbibition and drainage paths\, while interfacial pinning can still occur. In the volume-driven regime\, the fluid can traverse tensile and otherwise inaccessible interfacial configurations that are inaccessible under pressure-driven fluid displacement\, confirming that the choice of driving mode can decouple pinning and hysteresis. In wavy capillaries\, smooth curvature change prevents interface pinning\, but pressure-driven displacement can still trigger interfacial jumps. An energy-based analysis shows that pressure changes drive saddle-node transitions between local energy minima\, producing jumps and hysteresis. This yields a simple jump criterion that links contact angle to wavy-capillary geometry. Extending these insights to porous media\, the thesis shows that homogeneous pore channels can be represented with wavy-capillaries that reproduce key pressure–saturation signatures\, including jumps and hysteresis. In heterogeneous porous media\, stronger geometric variability generates intermittent collective rearrangements\, also known as Haines jump\, hysteresis\, and return-point memory during internal cycles\, evidencing a rugged energy landscape with history-dependent pathways. Together\, these results establish a coherent mechanistic link between pore-scale metastability and macroscopic hysteresis. The framework provides predictive tools for controlling displacement efficiency and energy dissipation in applications such as CO2 sequestration\, enhanced oil recovery\, microfluidics\, and capillary transport in natural and engineered porous media.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-animesh-nepal/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/phd_animeshnepal.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260619T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260619T123000
DTSTAMP:20261018T164003Z
CREATED:20260602T053239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T164003Z
UID:14098-1781865000-1781872200@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Loujain Alharfouch
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Loujain Alharfouch\, from the Surface Hydrology\, Ecology and Erosion group\, will defend her thesis on 19th June at 10:30h in Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria de Camins\, Canals i Ports de Barcelona (UPC\, Campus Nord Building C1. Classroom: 002) \nDirectors: Jérôme Latron\, Juan J. Hidalgo and Maarten Willem \nThesis Committee: Natalie Orlowski\, Adrià Barbeta and Jean Vaunat \nAbstract:\nEcohydrology provides a key framework for understanding interactions between vegetation and the hydrological cycle\, particularly in forest ecosystems that regulate water fluxes and ecosystem resilience. In Mediterranean mountain regions\, increasing climate variability and recurrent droughts are pushing forests close to their hydraulic limits\, while uncertainties remain regarding how trees access and use water under contrasting environmental conditions. \nThis thesis investigates tree water uptake dynamics in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the Vallcebre experimental catchments (NE Spain) through the integration of high-resolution field observations\, stable water isotopes\, and process-based modeling. Results show that during droughts\, tree water use is strongly constrained by soil water availability\, with trees relying primarily on winter-recharged soil water and internal stem water storage. Summer rainfall contributed to tree water uptake only after sustained soil rewetting\, highlighting the critical importance of winter precipitation for maintaining tree hydraulic functioning in Mediterranean montane forests. \nBuilding on these findings\, a physics-based\, calibration-free root water uptake parameterization was developed and successfully reproduced soil water dynamics\, outperforming commonly used empirical approaches. Independent isotope-based validation confirmed the robustness of the proposed framework. Overall\, the integration of ecohydrological observations\, stable isotopes\, and process-based modeling provides a consistent and reliable approach for improving our understanding and representation of tree water uptake processes. \n 
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-loujain-alharfouch/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/phd_loujain.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260619T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260619T120000
DTSTAMP:20261018T164010Z
CREATED:20260617T052135Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T164010Z
UID:14100-1781863200-1781870400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by María Paula Carrillo
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher María Paula Carrillo\, from the Marine and Polar Microbes and Pollutants group\, will defend her thesis on 19th June at 10:00h in UPC Aula 212 Edificio/módulo C2. \nDirectors: Maria Vila-Costa and Carlos Barata \nThesis Committee: Carles Borrego\, Elienda Balleste and Melissa Faria \nAbstract:\nAquatic ecosystems accumulate complex mixtures of legacy and emerging pollutants\, yet current ecotoxicological approaches often fail to capture the effects of realistic\, chronic exposures. This thesis investigates whether invertebrate-associated microbiomes can serve as sensitive indicators of pollution across freshwater and marine environments. Using laboratory and field studies on diverse invertebrate species\, microbiome responses were assessed through 16S rRNA sequencing alongside chemical\, physiological\, and omics analyses. Pollutant exposure consistently altered host-associated microbiomes\, often more strongly than environmental microbial communities. Although no universal microbial indicator was identified\, recurring taxa and functional traits emerged within ecological contexts\, highlighting microbiomes as promising bioindicators for next-generation aquatic biomonitoring.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-maria-paula-carrillo/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/phd_mapis.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260413T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260413T130000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163930Z
CREATED:20260326T063703Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163930Z
UID:14088-1776078000-1776085200@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Albert Menéndez Pedriza
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Albert Menéndez Pedriza\, from the Chemometrics for Environmental Omics group\, will defend his thesis on 13th April at 11:00h in Aula Magna Enric Casassas (Facultat de Química i Física\, Universitat de Barcelona) \nDirectors: Joaquim Jaumot and Laia Navarro. \nThesis Committee: Cinta Porte Visa\, Rikke Poulsen and Ludovic Duponchel \nAbstract:\nChemical pollution is widely recognized as a major global threat to environmental health\, with endocrine-disrupting chemicals posing particular concern due to their complex biological effects. Traditional toxicity assessments often fail to capture their multi-level impact\, limiting understanding of disrupted pathways. This thesis explores the potential of advanced omics technologies to address these gaps. By developing optimized spatial omics workflows and integrating multi-omics data through innovative analytical strategies\, this work enhances the detection of sublethal molecular changes in model organisms. Overall\, the results achieved demonstrate that integrating experimental and computational advances in omics can significantly enhance mechanistic insights into pollutant toxicity in environmental systems.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-albert-menendez-pedriza/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/thesis_albertmenendez.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260225T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260225T130000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163912Z
CREATED:20260218T063926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163912Z
UID:14082-1772015400-1772024400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Anna Canals Angerri
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Anna Canals Angerri\, from the EGAR group\, will defend her thesis on 25th February at 10:30h in Aula Magna Enric Casassas (Facultat de Química i Física\, Universitat de Barcelona) \nDirectors: Xavier Querol and  Barend L. van Drooge \nThesis Committee: Ana Maria Sánchez de la Campa Verdona\, Eduardo Yubero Funes and Joel Sánchez Piñero \nAbstract:\nThe thesis advocates for integrating local and regional abatement strategies targeting key PM precursors (SO2\, NOX\, NH3\, VOCs\, and O3)\, as secondary aerosols remain a major challenge. For cities such as Barcelona\, actions should focus on traffic and industrial emissions; for smaller towns like Manlleu\, on agricultural and domestic combustion; and for megacities like Wuhan\, on industrial processes. Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure compliance with the new EU Ambient Air Quality Directive (2024/2881).\nBy combining long-term trend analysis with high-resolution source apportionment\, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of PM dynamics across diverse environments. The results underscore that air quality management must be site-specific\, addressing local and regional processes to achieve sustainable reductions in PM and its health impacts.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-anna-canals-angerri/
LOCATION:Aula Magna\, Facultat Química (UB)
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/phdthesis_annacanals.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260212T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260212T133000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163905Z
CREATED:20260210T081402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163905Z
UID:14080-1770894000-1770903000@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Meritxell Garcia i Marlès
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Meritxell Garcia i Marlès\, from the EGAR group\, will defend her thesis on 12th February at 11:00h in Sala d’actes GEO3BCN-CSIC (C. Lluís Solé i Sabarís\, s/n\, Barcelona). \nThe thesis defence will be both onsite and online\, via this link \nDirectors: Andrés Alastuey and Xavier Querol \nThesis Committee: Sofia Vieira de Sousa\, Pedro Salvador Martínez and Yolanda Sola Salvatierra \nAbstract:\nUltrafine particles (UFPs\, particles with diameters <100 nm) are a major but poorly regulated component of urban air pollution. This thesis analyses long-term UFP data from 29 European cities to investigate their variability\, trends\, and sources\, identifying road traffic as the dominant contributor. A dedicated case study near a major European airport examines aviation emissions\, while the role of meteorology in pollutant dispersion and the implications for air quality monitoring and policy are also assessed.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-meritxell-garcia-i-marles/
LOCATION:Aula Magna\, Facultat Química (UB)
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/thesis_merigarcia.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260206T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260206T140000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163902Z
CREATED:20260203T060834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163902Z
UID:14079-1770375600-1770386400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:Defensa de Tesi de Gerard Quintana
DESCRIPTION:L’investigador predoctoral Gerard Quintana del grup ENFOCHEM\, defensa la seva tesi doctoral el 6 de febrer a les 11:00h en l’Aula Magna Enric Casassas de la Facultat de Química\, Universitat de Barcelona \nDirectors: Sílvia Díaz i Jesús Carrera \nTribunal: Óscar Núñez\, Xavier Sánchez i Linda Liquot \nAbstract:\nL’increment de les activitats humanes i el desenvolupament industrial i agrícola han provocat la presència generalitzada de contaminants de preocupació emergent (CECs) en els ecosistemes aquàtics\, molts dels quals presenten toxicitat\, persistència\, bioacumulació\, biomagnificació i mobilitat\, amb efectes fins i tot a nivells traça. Les EDARs convencionals no eliminen completament aquests compostos\, fet especialment rellevant en un context de creixent escassetat hídrica. Aquesta Tesi doctoral estudia la presència\, distribució\, destí i eliminació dels CECs mitjançant tecnologies basades en la natura. Es van desenvolupar metodologies analítiques sensibles aplicables a diverses matrius ambientals\, permetent la detecció simultània de 76 compostos. Els estudis marins van revelar la presència generalitzada de filtres UV\, amb variabilitat geogràfica i estacional i una clara relació amb l’activitat humana. En aigües subterrànies volcàniques de les Illes Canàries es van identificar perfils de concentració diferenciats segons la pressió antròpica i la hidrogeologia. Finalment\, sistemes de tractament sòl-aqüífer amb barreres reactives naturals van mostrar una eliminació eficient dels CECs\, destacant el paper clau del biofilm.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/defensa-de-tesi-de-gerard-quintana/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/phdthesis_gerardquintana.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260123T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20260123T123000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163856Z
CREATED:20260115T124238Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163856Z
UID:14078-1769164200-1769171400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Albert Contreras Llin
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Albert Contreras Llin\, from the ENFOCHEM group\, will defend his thesis on 23rd January at 10:30h in Aula Magna Enric Cassassas\, Facultat de Química\, Universitat de Barcelona. \nDirectors: Sílvia Díaz and Jesús Carrera \nThesis Committee: Javier Hernández Borges\, Clara Pérez Ràfols and Maarten Willem Saaltink \nAbstract:\nMicroplastics (<5 mm) are persistent and mobile contaminants that can spread across aquatic compartments and interact with co-contaminants. This PhD thesis investigates their occurrence\, fate and transport along the water-reuse continuum\, from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to managed aquifer recharge (MAR) systems and groundwater. By integrating seasonal field campaigns\, adsorption experiments and process-based modelling\, the work identifies key sources\, retention mechanisms and conditions that enhance either emissions or attenuation. The results highlight seasonal variability linked to anthropogenic pressure\, effective retention within MAR reactive barriers\, the interaction of polyethylene microplastics with UV filters (benzophenone-3 and octocrylene)\, and microplastic occurrence in volcanic island aquifers (La Palma and El Hierro). Overall\, the thesis provides evidence and tools to support the design and management of water-reuse infrastructures and mitigation strategies.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-albert-contreras-llin/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/thesis_albertcontreras.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251210T113000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251210T133000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163837Z
CREATED:20251125T061010Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163837Z
UID:14074-1765366200-1765373400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Isabel Díez Palet
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Isabel Díez Palet\, from the Geochemistry and Pollution group\, will defend her thesis on 10th December at 11:30h in Sala de Graus Eduard Fontseré\, Facultat de Química\, Universitat de Barcelona. \nDirectors: Joan O. Grimalt and Pilar Fernández \nThesis Committee: Rosa Maria Marcé Recasens\, Ana María Yáñez-Serrano and Eva Gallego Piñol \nAbstract:\nVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from diverse sources. Some are carcinogenic (e.g.\, benzene)\, others neurotoxic (e.g.\, toluene)\, and many act as precursors of tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA). This PhD thesis investigated the origins\, composition\, and transformation of VOCs across rural\, suburban\, and industrial sites in the Western Mediterranean.\nBy developing a new sampling methodology using tethered balloons\, ground-level measurements were combined with vertical profiles up to 400 m AGL. This approach allowed sampling of VOCs both below and above the nocturnal residual layer. \nResults showed anthropogenic activities as the dominant drivers of VOC variability\, with meteorology and seasonality exerting secondary influences. Summer heat enhanced biogenic isoprene and evaporation of anthropogenic VOCs\, while winter inversions favored accumulation of traffic- and biomass-related emissions.\nImportantly\, a small set of anthropogenic VOCs was found to control oxidative capacity\, ozone formation\, and SOA production\, with biogenic contributions becoming more relevant in summer.\nVertical profiles revealed that local VOC emissions and photooxidation influence VOC composition up to 350 m. Primary compounds accumulated near the surface\, while secondary products and long-lived VOCs were more evenly distributed. Aloft\, air masses were systematically more oxidized than near the surface\, particularly in winter and in the nocturnal residual layer\, and showed greater accumulation of long-lived VOCs and secondary products. \nBecause the oxidative state of the residual layer may have an impact on surface air quality the following day\, these findings may help to fill existing gaps on VOC and secondary pollution formation\, providing new insights for improving atmospheric models and consequently for assessing the environmental impact of VOC pollution in the low troposphere.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-isabel-diez-palet/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/isabeldiezpalet_phdthesis.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251202T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251202T130000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163850Z
CREATED:20251127T061049Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163850Z
UID:14076-1764673200-1764680400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Jordina Gili
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Jordina Gili\, from the EGAR group\, will defend her thesis on 2nd December at 11:00h in Aula Eduard Fontserè\, Facultat de Física\, Universitat de Barcelona. \nDirectors: Mar Viana and Barend L. van Drooge \nThesis Committee: Brigite Botequim\, Amalia Muñoz and Jordi Dachs. \nAbstract:\nWildland fires—both wildfires and prescribed burns—are becoming increasingly frequent and intense across Southern Europe due to climate and land-use changes\, posing growing threats to air quality and human health. This thesis aims to assess the impacts of smoke emissions on ambient air and firefighters’ personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5)\, black carbon (BC)\, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Between 2022 and 2024\, field monitoring campaigns were conducted in two of Spain’s most fire-prone areas: Galicia (NW Spain) and Catalonia (NE Spain)\, using a combination of fixed monitors and portable sampling devices. Calibrated monitors revealed substantial PM2.5 increases in ambient air and\, combined with source-apportionment tools\, enabled high-resolution characterization of wildfire smoke. Firefighters showed high and comparable exposures during wildfires and prescribed burns\, supporting the use of prescribed burns as practical proxies for wildfire exposure assessments. Task-based characterization revealed different profiles: mop-up tasks were identified as a relevant contributor to PM2.5 exposures\, while torchers were more influenced by fossil-fuel emissions and specific carcinogenic PAHs. BC–PAH correlations indicated that BC may be used as an effective proxy for PAH exposure. Estimated cancer risks exceeded safety thresholds for ignition tasks\, supporting the classification of occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans\, highlighting the need for task-specific exposure mitigation strategies.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-jordina-gili/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/jordinagili_phdthesis.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251107T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251107T130000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163822Z
CREATED:20251103T055508Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163822Z
UID:14069-1762513200-1762520400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Alicia Cano López
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Alicia Cano López\, from the Exposomics\, Pollution and Agriculture group\, will defend her thesis on 7th November at 11:00h in Sala d’Actes de l’Edifici Vèrtex (Campus Nord\, UPC). \nDirectors: Victor Matamoros and Mònica Escolà \nThesis Committee: Victoria de los Ángeles Salvadó Martín\, Tao Lyu and Gianluigi Buttiglieri \nAbstract:\nWater scarcity is one of the most pressing global challenges\, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions such as the Mediterranean basin. In countries like Spain\, where agriculture is a major consumer of water resources\, the use of reclaimed water has become essential for ensuring both water and food security. However\, treated wastewater effluents and even groundwater can contain organic micropollutants that are partially removed in conventional water treatments. Among these\, persistent\, mobile\, and toxic (PMT) substances are especially concerning due to their resistance to degradation\, mobility through water systems\, and their toxicity potential in the environment\, posing risks to ecosystems\, crops\, and human health.\nThis PhD thesis explores both the reduction and impact of PMT substances across four experiments. Two focus on treatment technologies\, a chemical approach (advanced oxidation process\, AOP) and a biological system (nature-based solution\, NBS)\, to eliminate PMT substances from groundwater and wastewater. The other two assess the effects of PMT-contaminated irrigation water on crops\, using both hydroponic and soilbased systems. Chapter 3 compares eight oxidation treatments for removing chlorinated solvents from contaminated groundwater\, coupled with a human health risk assessment. Chapter 4 investigates four NBS configurations for removing short-chain PFAS and other PMT substances from groundwater and wastewater\, focusing on the influence of factors like filter media\, grain size\, vegetation\, and microbial communities. Chapter 5 evaluates PMT uptake and bioaccumulation in lettuce grown in a hydroponic setup\, alongside assessments of plant health\, metabolomic responses\, and implications for food safety. Chapter 7 explores an ongoing soil-based irrigation study comparing secondary and pilot-scale quaternary effluents\, analysing suspect PMT uptake\, and crop quality\, complementing the hydroponic findings.\nOverall\, this thesis provides novel insights into PMT substances in water resources and agricultural systems\, offering both treatment evaluations and risk-based perspectives that may inform future water reuse strategies and regulatory frameworks.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-alicia-cano-lopez/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/aliciacano_phd.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251006T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251006T130000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163808Z
CREATED:20251002T052935Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163808Z
UID:14066-1759748400-1759755600@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Marjan Savadkoohi
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Marjan Savadkoohi\, from the EGAR group\, will defend her thesis on 6th October at 11:00h in Sala Multimèdia B3 Escola Tècnica Superior d´Enginyeria de Telecomunicació de Barcelona (UPC-Campus Nord). \nDirectors: Marco Pandolfi and Andrés Alastuey \nThesis Committee: Angela Marinoni\, Jesús Yus and Oriol Jorba \nAbstract:\nThis thesis addresses the challenges of determining black carbon (BC) mass concentration\, an emerging air quality metric with significant impacts on climate and public health. Since BC cannot be directly measured\, its estimation relies on indirect optical absorption methods that vary across instruments and monitoring networks. The work focuses on harmonizing in situ observations and improving source apportionment methodologies. Advanced computational methods are applied to enhance the accuracy\, consistency\, and interpretability of BC reporting\, thereby contributing to the development of standardized practices for air quality assessment.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-marjan-savadkoohi/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/phdthesis_marjansavadkoohi.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250912T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250912T123000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163804Z
CREATED:20250909T114820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163804Z
UID:14065-1757673000-1757680200@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:Defensa de Tesi de Clara Jaén Flo
DESCRIPTION:La investigadora predoctoral Clara Jaén Flo del grup Geochemistry and Pollution\, defensa la seva tesi doctoral el 12 de setembre a les 10:30h en l’Aula Magna Enric Casassas de la Facultat de Química\, Universitat de Barcelona \nDirectors: Barend L. van Drooge i Joan O. Grimalt \nTribunal: Andrés Alastuey\, Ana Gòmez Gutiérrez and Joaquim Rovira \nAbstract:\nAquesta tesi aborda la identificació de fonts d’emissió\, processos de transformació i patrons de distribució vertical de l´aerosol orgànic (OA) a la troposfera baixa. Per mitjà d’una metodologia innovadora basada en GC-MS d’alta resolució i en el mostreig amb globus captius\, s’analitzen compostos orgànics en diversos entorns i altituds. Els resultats mostren que l’OA primari tendeix a acumular-se a prop de superfície durant les inversions hivernals\, mentre que l’OA secundari presenta una distribució més homogènia i concentracions sovint més elevades a la capa residual nocturna. Les relacions entre els compostos oxidats i els seus precursors apunten\, a més\, a una oxidació més intensa en alçada. L’anàlisi conjunta de la composició i la toxicitat de l’OA revela una major afectació cel·lular associada a la crema de biomassa en zones rurals i suburbanes. Finalment\, la tesi posa de manifest la influència del transport a mitjana i llarga distància en la composició dels aerosols en regions d’alta muntanya.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/defensa-de-tesi-de-clara-jaen-flo/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/phd_clarajaen.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250725T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250725T120000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163755Z
CREATED:20250711T052328Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163755Z
UID:14063-1753437600-1753444800@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Olga Gómez Navarro
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Olga Gómez Navarro\, from the ONHEALTH group\, will defend her thesis on 25th July at 10:00h in Aula Eduard Fontseré (Faculty of Chemistry\, Universitat de Barcelona) \nDirectors: Sandra Pérez and Nicola Montemurro \nThesis Committee: Juan Vicente Sancho\, Carlos Gonçalves and Barend Van Drooge \nAbstract:\nIntermittent streams\, characterized by variable and discontinuous flow regimes\, are becoming increasingly common in the Mediterranean region due to climate change\, land use changes\, and population growth\, which further decrease water availability. As a result\, their natural dilution capacity is limited\, making them highly vulnerable to both anthropogenic pressures and climate-driven hydrological variability. This thesis developed and applied robust analytical techniques for the detection\, quantification\, and characterization of contaminants of emerging concern and transformation products\, and assessed their potential environmental risks in Mediterranean intermittent freshwater systems. Through an integrated approach combining chemical\, hydrological\, and ecological indicators\, this thesis highlighted the impact of wastewater discharges on aquatic ecosystems and the need for region-specific monitoring frameworks. The importance of considering hydrological variability\, particularly in low flow situations\, where the natural dilution capacity of streams is limited\, was also emphasized\, especially as water scarcity increases. Suspect and non-target screening approaches\, supported by open-source tools\, expanded the target analysis and revealed a broader understanding of the contaminant profiles in intermittent streams.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-olga-gomez-navarro/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/og_thesis.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250717T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250717T120000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163748Z
CREATED:20250710T053323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163748Z
UID:14062-1752746400-1752753600@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Verónica Moreno
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Verónica Moreno\, from the EGAR group\, will defend her thesis on 17th July at 10:00h at Universitat de Barcelona (Aula Magna\, Facultat de Biologia) \nDirectors: Mar Viana and Marcel Macarulla \nThesis Committee: Jordi Poblet\, Ana Sofia Godinho and Julio Bastos \nAbstract:\nNanoparticles (NPs) differ from other pollutants by their dynamic transformations and dominance in particle number despite low mass. They penetrate the respiratory system\, causing inflammation and toxicity risks. Incidental nanoparticles (INPs)\, unintentionally released in industries\, are often overlooked in occupational exposure. \nThis Thesis studies INPs in the ceramic sector by examining emission sources\, worker exposure including physicochemical and toxicological characterisation\, and using Reduced Order Models (ROMs) to optimise industrial ventilation. Three processes were analysed: tile cutting\, firing\, and thermal spraying. Results show INP properties and toxicity depend on formation mechanisms. In situ sampling provided essential aerosol data. ROMs reduced INP exposure by 73%\, energy use by 15%\, and CO₂ emissions by 12%. \nCurrent regulations inadequately address NP risks\, emphasising the need for international exposure limits\, detailed aerosol characterisation\, and ROMs to improve occupational safety and efficiency. \n 
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-veronica-moreno/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/vmm_thesis_.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250709T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250709T130000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163745Z
CREATED:20250625T043930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163745Z
UID:14061-1752058800-1752066000@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis by Sharon Ridolfo
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Sharon Ridolfo\, from the EGAR group\, will defend her thesis on 9th July at 11:00h at Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (Sala Multimèdia Professor Pedro Vicente del Fraile\, Edificio B3 – Campus Nord UPC) \nDirectors: Fulvio Amato and Xavier Querol \nThesis Committee: Jesús Damián de la Rosa Díaz\, Eleonora Simona Cuccia and Xavier Gamisans Noguera \nAbstract:\nUltrafine particles (UFP)\, defined as airborne particulates with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 100 nm\, are of particular concern due to their ability to penetrate deep into the respiratory system and even reach the brain directly via the olfactory bulb\, with the potential to cause a wide range of adverse health effects. In response to the growing evidence of health risks associated with UFP\, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued ‘Good practice statements’ emphasizing the need to integrate UFP in terms of particle number concentration (PNC) into existing air quality monitoring systems (WHO\, 2021). In line with these recommendations\, the new European Air Quality Directive (AQD\, 2024/2881/EC) requires the monitoring of PNC and particle number size distribution (PNSD) in urban supersites and of PNC in rural supersites and pollution hotspots\, including traffic\, harbors\, airports\, and industry\, among others (EU\, 2024). In this context\, the present PhD thesis investigates the concentrations\, size\, and some chemical patterns and source contributions of UFP in transport environments\, including a review of existing literature on PNC-PNSD\, as well as experimental studies conducted at an airport\, harbor\, road traffic and urban background (UB) in Barcelona (NE Spain) and a subway in Valencia (E Spain). The review aimed to assess the instruments used\, analyze results\, and identify knowledge gaps in PNC-PNSD across transport environments. It highlighted understudied areas needing further investigation and provided key insights for the field campaigns. The findings identified road traffic as the main contributor to PNC in urban areas\, with commuting modes influenced by proximity to traffic and meteorological conditions. It also emphasized the need for harmonizing measurement protocols due to significant variations in methods\, particularly in lower (finer) particle size detection limits. The experimental studies revealed substantial variability in PNC and PNSD\, driven by differences in emission sources and site-specific conditions. The airport recorded the highest PNC\, dominated by aircraft activity\, particularly taxiing and takeoff\, while the subway exhibited the lowest. Nucleation mode particles (<25 nm) were especially elevated at the airport and road traffic site\, indicating the influence of fresh emissions and secondary formation from gaseous precursors. In contrast\, the harbor showed a dominant Aitken mode (25-100 nm) linked to ship emissions. Diurnal trends further reflected localized source activity\, with distinct peaks observed in line with transport operations\, except in the subway\, where PNC remained relatively stable. PNSD was unimodal below 20 nm at the airport and traffic sites\, unimodal around 20-30 nm at the harbor\, and flatter at the subway\, suggesting a lack of significant local sources of UFP. Notably\, no second mode (40-90 nm)\, commonly associated with diesel emissions\, was observed at the road traffic site\, indicating a possible decline in larger diesel-related particles due to the implementation of EURO 5 and 6/V and VI standards and the Barcelona Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Source apportionment analyses confirmed aviation and shipping as dominant contributors to UFP at the airport and harbor\, respectively\, while chemical characterization revealed specific racers such as aluminum (airport)\, chromium and barium (traffic)\, vanadium and nickel (harbor)\, and copper (subway)\, among others.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-by-sharon-ridolfo/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sr_thesis.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250521T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250521T123000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163719Z
CREATED:20250516T052943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163719Z
UID:14055-1747823400-1747830600@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis by Jon Iriarte
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Jon Iriarte\, from the Global Change and Genomic Biogeochemistry group\, will defend his thesis on 21st May at 10:30h at the Aula Magna Enric Casassas of the Faculty of Chemistry (University of Barcelona) \nDirectors: Maria Vila-Costa and Jordi Dachs \nThesis Committee: Barend L. van Drooge\, Eva Ortega Retuerta and Marta Sebastián Caumel \nAbstract:\nThis thesis investigates the effects of background levels of contaminants on marine microbes and their potential role in the biodegradation of these compounds\, focusing on remote regions such as the Antarctic coast and the open ocean. To do so\, it integrates chemical data with compositional and functional data of microbial communities\, along with other physicochemical parameters obtained through field measurements and experiments conducted during various sampling campaigns. The resulting datasets were analyzed using data analysis tools\, statistical tests\, and bioinformatics software. \nThis thesis demonstrates that the simultaneous characterization of organic contaminants and microbial communities through field measurements provides new insight into the complexity of processes occurring under real environmental conditions. It reveals that background levels of organic contaminants\, while not the main drivers\, can significantly influence marine microbial communities. Furthermore\, microbial degradation was observed to potentially act as an oceanic sink for emerging contaminants at the ocean surface. \n 
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-by-jon-iriarte/
LOCATION:Aula Magna\, Facultat Química (UB)
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/tesis_joniriarte.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250509T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250509T120000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163712Z
CREATED:20250428T050938Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163712Z
UID:14054-1746784800-1746792000@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis by Francesc Labad Roig
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Francesc Labad Roig\, from the ONHEALTH group\, will defend her thesis on 9th May at 10:00h at the aula Eduard Fontseré of the Faculty of Chemistry (University of Barcelona) \nDirectors: Sandra Pérez and Enric Vázquez-Suñé \nThesis Committee: José Benito Quintana\, Alberto Celma and Oscar Nuñez \nAbstract:\nAquesta tesi doctoral estudia la presència de contaminants orgànics de traça (TrOCs)\, especialment els polars\, en aigües urbanes de Barcelona. S’han desenvolupat diverses metodologies analítiques per detectar TrOCs en diferents tipus d’aigua\, destacant dues tècniques d´extracció i l’ús de cromatografia de líquids i espectrometria de masses d’alta resolució. Els resultats mostren una contaminació significativa de l’aigua subterrània per aigües residuals\, de pluja i superficials\, i s’avalua el risc ambiental i per a la salut humana\, subratllant la necessitat de millorar el tractament i la gestió de l’aigua urbana
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-by-francesc-labad-roig/
LOCATION:Aula Eduard Fontserè\, Facultat de Física i Química (UB)
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/thesis_francesc.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250425T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250425T120000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163705Z
CREATED:20250408T053730Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163705Z
UID:14052-1745575200-1745582400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Núria Trilla i Prieto
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Núria Trilla i Prieto\, from the Global Change and Genomic Biogeochemistry group\, will defend her thesis on 25th April at 10:00h at the aula Magna of the Faculty of Biology (University of Barcelona) \nDirectors: Jordi Dachs and Begoña Jiménez \nThesis Committee: Assumpció Borrell\, Antonio Tovar and Andre G. Bravo \nAbstract:\nLarge-scale oceanic assessments provide key knowledge on the persistence and potential for long-range transport of organic pollutants. This thesis investigates the latitudinal and depth distribution and biogeochemical cycling of dissolved black carbon (DBC)\, organophosphate esters (OPEs)\, and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the ocean. The assessment of DBC occurrence and cycling in the ocean was based on a meta-analysis\, while OPEs and PFAAs were analyzed for samples collected during two oceanographic expeditions covering a latitudinal transect from 42ºN to 71ºS in the Atlantic and Southern oceans. It is shown that semivolatile aromatic hydrocarbons account for ~16% of oceanic DBC\, implying that DBC is less persistent than previously thought\, and that there are important atmospheric inputs of semivolatile DBC to the ocean. OPE concentrations decreased from the Northern Atlantic toward Antarctic waters\, but showed unexpected enrichment in the sea surface microlayer (SML)—particularly in the Southern Ocean—likely linked to its surfactant and hydrophobic properties. Depth distribution of OPEs were clearly influenced by the biological pump and other biogeochemical processes. In contrast\, PFAAs showed similar concentrations in the remote Southern Ocean than in the open north Atlantic\, while concentrations were lower in the tropical south Atlantic. PFAAs concentrations in the Southern Ocean are currently larger than two decades ago\, suggesting that Antarctic waters are a long term sink and reservoir for PFAAs. This accumulation is consistent with PFAAs sea-spray driven aerosolization followed by wet deposition. These results shows that persistence is a key property explaining the long-range transport and accumulation of emerging contaminants in remote oceanic regions.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-nuria-trilla-i-prieto/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/PhDThesis_NuriaTrilla.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250321T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250321T120000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163649Z
CREATED:20250317T081743Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163649Z
UID:14047-1742551200-1742558400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Diana Manjarrés
DESCRIPTION:The predoctoral researcher Diana Manjarrés\, from the ON HEALTH group\, will defend her thesis on 21st March at 10:00h in the Aula de Grados – Faculty of Biology\, University of Barcelona \nTitle: Biomonitoreo de contaminantes de preocupación emergente en especies invasoras y nativas para la evaluación del riesgo ecológico en ecosistemas acuáticos \nDirectors: Sandra Pérez and Nicola Montemurro  \nThesis tutor: Encarnación Moyano \nThesis Committee: Serge Chiron\, Sara Rodríguez Mozaz and Pablo Lara \nAbstract:\nLa contaminación acuática por actividades antrópicas afecta la calidad del agua y la biodiversidad. Esta tesis evaluó la presencia y bioacumulación de 173 contaminantes de preocupación emergente (incluidos PhACs\, OPFRs\, PFAS y plaguicidas) en peces\, cangrejos y almejas de agua dulce\, mediante el uso de técnicas avanzadas de LC-HRMS/MS. Se priorizaron la carpa común y la almeja asiática como especies invasoras eficaces para el biomonitoreo de CECs en ecosistemas sensibles como el río Llobregat y el Parque Natural de la Albufera \n 
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-diana-manjarres/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DianaManjarres_PhD.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250115T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20250115T130000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163559Z
CREATED:20250113T060909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163559Z
UID:14035-1736938800-1736946000@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Álvaro Moyano Salcedo
DESCRIPTION:The PhD student Álvaro Moyano Salcedo\, from the Surface Hydrology\, Ecology and Erosion group\, will defend his thesis on 15th January at 11:00h in Aula de Graus – Edifici Durfort (Faculty of Biology\, University of Barcelona) \nDirectors: Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles and Humbert Salvadó \nThesis Committee: Eugènia Martí\, Francesc de Paula and Juan David González \nAbstract:\nFreshwater salinization (FS) is a global challenge impacting aquatic ecosystems. This thesis compiles the GlobSalt database\, which includes ~15M records on salinity parameters globally. It examines FS in Spanish rivers\, focusing on temporal variability and key human-driven sources. It also explores the interactive effects of nutrient and salt pollution on aquatic ecosystems. Finally\, it assesses how salinity affects wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and their contributions to river salinity. The findings highlight FS drivers\, impacts\, and management strategies\, providing a foundation for future research and solutions.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-alvaro-moyano-salcedo/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/phd_thesis_alvaromoyano.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20241118T113000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20241118T133000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163547Z
CREATED:20241106T071032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163547Z
UID:14032-1731929400-1731936600@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Carlos Pérez López
DESCRIPTION:The PhD student Carlos Pérez López\, from the Chemometrics for Environmental Omics group\, will defend his thesis on 18th November at 11:30h in Facultat de Ciències at Universitat de Girona. \nTitle: Development of comprehensive non-target bioinformatics and chemometric tools for data filtering and management of mass spectrometry datasets and the chemical compound identification in environmental omics (proteomics\, metabolomics\, and exposomics) \nDirectors: Romà Tauler\, Antoni Ginebreda and Damià Barceló \nThesis Committee: Victoria de los Ángeles Salvadó Martín\, Guillermo Quintas Soriano and Antonio Checa Gómez \nAbstract:\nEnvironmental omics is a valuable source of knowledge concerning the chemical compounds and biomolecules occurring in the environment and their molecular effects on the exposed biota. Mass spectrometry (MS)\, usually coupled to a chromatographic instrument to separate the analytes of a sample\, is the most widely used analytical technique in environmental omics studies. However\, MS instruments generate a large amount of data\, some unrelated to analytes and associated with instrumental interferences or noise background. Filtering MS signals\, selecting those belonging to analytes\, and identifying these chemical compounds remain challenging tasks in analytical chemistry. These procedures are even more demanding when there is a total lack of knowledge of the sample´s composition\, a typical scenario in the untargeted analytical approach. In the last decades\, chemometrics and bioinformatics methods have been proposed\, some based on feature detection and a few others on the direct resolution of chemical compounds. \nThis PhD Thesis has been focused on studying the so-called Regions of Interest-Multivariate Curve Resolution (ROIMCR) chemometrics method to resolve the chemical compounds present in environmental omics samples\, following a direct non-target analytical approach. Data from different sources and MS acquisition modes have been analyzed using the ROIMCR method to validate its performance\, (including strengths and limitations). Datasets related to mixtures of small (exposomics and metabolomics) and large (proteomics) molecules have been successfully analyzed using full-scan\, Data Dependent acquisition (DDA)\, and Data independent acquisition (DIA) modes. The possibilities of ROIMCR using DIA mode have confirmed its application to the analysis of MS data structures including MS2 information (even considering simultaneously positive and negative ionization modes). Some tools were developed to overcome certain limitations (generally related to the lack of automatization of the process) of the ROIMCR methodology. Such developments were implemented in two related MATLAB software packages\, the SigSel package used for the visualization\, filtering\, and extraction of ROIMCR-results information\, and the MSident program for annotating the resolved chemical compounds. Additionally\, a rapid and cost-effective methodology\, so-called Aquasearch\, has been proposed to perform proteomic biomarkers profiling in wastewater samples using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption /Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF). The Aquasearch program developed in this Thesis is proposed as a convenient tool for routine biomarker monitoring\, instead of other possible methods that are more resource-demanding and time-consuming.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-carlos-perez-lopez/
LOCATION:AYUDAS RAMÓN Y CAJAL 2022
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/PhD-Thesis-Defence_cpl.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20241029T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20241029T130000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163528Z
CREATED:20241021T122024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163528Z
UID:14026-1730199600-1730206800@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Jordi Massagué
DESCRIPTION:The PhD student Jordi Massagué\, from the EGAR group\, will defend his thesis on 29th October at 11:00h in Escola de Camins (Building C1. Classroom: 002) at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya \nTitle: Tendencias y dinámica de los episodios de contaminación por ozono troposférico en España \nDirector: Xavier Querol\, and Miguel Escudero  \nThesis Committee: Célia Alves\, Amalia Muñoz\, Xavier Gamisans \nAbstract:\nEl ozono (O3) troposférico es un contaminante secundario gaseoso fotoquímico con efectos adversos en la salud\, los ecosistemas y los materiales\, y que contribuye al efecto invernadero. El 94% de la población urbana europea está expuesta a niveles nocivos de O3\, especialmente en el sur y países mediterráneos como España\, donde se superan sistemáticamente los valores normativos. La reducción de los niveles de O3 es compleja debido a las reacciones no lineales entre sus precursores clave -óxidos de nitrógeno (NOx) y compuestos orgánicos volátiles (COVs)-\, y la influencia de la meteorología y de procesos de transporte atmosférico a diferentes escalas. El objetivo de esta tesis es ampliar el conocimiento de la dinámica del O3 en España y contribuir al futuro Plan Nacional de Ozono\, destinado a reducir sus niveles. La investigación se basa en el análisis de datos experimentales de calidad del aire y meteorológicos. Se ha propuesto una regionalización del territorio según la severidad de la contaminación por O3. Las zonas críticas (hotspots) registran los niveles más altos de O3 y\, por tanto\, son las áreas a priorizar en la implementación de políticas de reducción. Estas incluyen: la cuenca de Madrid\, el norte de Barcelona (NdB)\, la cuenca cerrada de Puertollano\, el interior de la Comunidad Valenciana y la cuenca del Guadalquivir (CdG). En estos hotspots\, los aportes de O3 externos a España y Europa se suman a la considerable producción de O3 generado a partir de emisiones locales/regionales de precursores\, causando superaciones de los valores normativos. La gestión adecuada de estas emisiones podría reducir marcadamente los niveles de O3 durante episodios. Se han estudiado dos hotspots en profundidad: (i) la CdG\, donde se han estimado algunas contribuciones de O3. El control de emisiones locales/regionales podría reducir hasta el ~50% de los niveles de O3 durante episodios agudos. (ii) Eje Barcelona-NdB\, donde se han analizado tres episodios excepcionales de O3 en la ciudad\, identificando sus causas (mayormente comunes): acumulación previa de O3\, efecto fin de semana\, condiciones meteorológicas específicas\, con Tramontana en altura y muy altas temperaturas\, y convergencia multirregional de masas de aire. Se ha analizado la evolución de los niveles de O3 durante tres fases: antes (2008-2019)\, durante (2020-2021) y después (2022- 2023) de la pandemia de COVID-19\, debido al impacto que ésta tuvo en la emisión de precursores. En 2008-2019\, los niveles de O3 en los hotspots mostraron tendencias divergentes. En la cuenca de Madrid\, aumentaron de forma generalizada\, debido a la meteorología\, la reducción de emisiones de NOx del tráfico rodado\, y al leve aumento de COVs\, en un régimen de formación de O3 COV-limitado. En contraste\, Sevilla registró descensos de O3\, atribuidos a un régimen de formación urbano atípico (más limitado por NOx). Otros hotspots no mostraron tendencias claras\, debido a variaciones leves en las emisiones de precursores y a la ausencia de variaciones meteorológicas. En pandemia\, los niveles de O3 decrecieron ampliamente en el país\, especialmente en el litoral Mediterráneo\, donde por primera vez no se superaron valores normativos\, debido a la reducción sin precedentes de las emisiones de precursores a diversas escalas (local\, regional\, europea y hemisférica)\, y a condiciones meteorológicas desfavorables para la producción/acumulación de O3. En postpandemia\, los niveles de O3 aumentaron respecto a la pandemia\, aunque generalmente no alcanzaron los niveles de prepandemia\, a pesar de las múltiples e intensas olas de calor\, propicias para el O3. En los tres periodos\, los niveles de O3 aumentaron en zonas urbanas afectadas por emisiones de tráfico\, indicando varias causas. Los resultados sugieren una convergencia a largo plazo entre los niveles de O3 en entornos rurales y urbanos. Además\, destacan la importancia de analizar la dinámica de O3 a escala local/regional y de aplicar una gestión diferenciada para los distintos hotspots.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-jordi-massague/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20241018T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20241018T140000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163110Z
CREATED:20241003T045748Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163110Z
UID:13959-1729252800-1729260000@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Tiantian Wang
DESCRIPTION:The PhD student Tiantian Wang\, from the Environmental Toxicology group\, will defend her thesis on 18th October at 12:00h in Aula de Graus\, Facultat de Biologia\, at Universitat de Barcelona \nTitle: Development of 3D spheroids from fish liver cells as in-vitro models to assess the effects of plastics in aquatic systems \nDirector: Cinta Porte \nThesis Committee: Miren Pilare Cajaraville\, Ricardo Beiras García-Sabell and Carmen Bedia \nAbstract:\nLa contaminació per plàstic és una amenaça ambiental important\, especialment als ecosistemes aquàtics\, on els articles d´un sol ús es degraden en mesoplàstics\, microplàstics i nanoplastics (MNP)\, causant danys físics i químics als organismes. Tot i que els plàstics biodegradables i compostables (BP) estan dissenyats per ser ecològics\, encara requereixen additius que poden ser tòxics abans que es degradin completament. Aquesta tesi ha investigat la toxicitat dels BP\, plàstics convencionals i mesoplàstics de les platges espanyoles\, examinant com la fotodegradació i el compostatge afecten les respostes tòxiques de les cèl·lules PLHC-1. A més\, s’ha avaluat la toxicitat cel·lular en ZFL dels micro i nanoplàstics de poliestirè\, centrant-se en el metabolisme dels lípids i les vies antioxidants. També s’han desenvolupat esferoides de fetge de peix (PLHC-1\, ZFL) per emular condicions in vivo\, caracteritzant patrons de creixement\, signatures lipidòmiques i expressió gènica i l´efecte del suplement sèric (FBS) sobre el lipidoma i la modulació de la toxicitat.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-tiantian-wang/
LOCATION:DISTINTIVO MENTO EN EL IDAEA- MENTORES ERC-COG-2025 – Tomás Aquino
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20241007T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20241007T120000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163506Z
CREATED:20240906T050549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163506Z
UID:14022-1728295200-1728302400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Adolfo González
DESCRIPTION:The PhD student Adolfo González\, from the EGAR group\, will defend his thesis on 7th October at 10:00h in Escola de Camins (Building C1. Classroom: 002) at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya \nTitle: Understanding sediment formation processes\, properties and dust emission potential in desert dust hotspot regions \nDirector: Xavier Querol \nThesis Committee: Jesús de la Rosa\, Claudia di Bagio and Sonia Castillo Fernández \nAbstract:\nDesert dust\, primarily composed of mineral particles from arid and semiarid regions\, impacts the Earth´s atmosphere\, climate\, ecosystems and human health. To better evaluate these impacts\, desert dust models must reduce uncertainties. n this study\, samples were collected from four regions and analysed for particle size\, aggregation\, mineralogy and Fe modes of occurrences. Four different conceptual models have been developed to understand sediment properties and their impact on emitted dust and will guide future studies and improve desert dust emission models. \n 
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-adolfo-gonzalez/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/thesis_adolfogonzalez.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20240920T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20240920T130000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163511Z
CREATED:20240909T074402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163511Z
UID:14023-1726830000-1726837200@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:Defensa de Tesi de Bernat Oró Nolla
DESCRIPTION:L’investigador predoctoral Bernat Oró Nolla\, del grup Chemometrics for Environmental Omics\, defensa la seva tesi doctoral el 20 de setembre a les 11:00h en la Facultat de Física i Química de la Universitat de Barcelona (Sala de Graus\, aulari) \nTítol: Noves estratègies analítiques per a la determinació de contaminants orgànics en ocells \nDirectora: Sílvia Lacorte \nTribunal: Romà Tauler i Ferré\, Rosa Maria Marcé i Recasens\, i Fran Ramírez Benítez \nAbstract:\nAquesta Tesi Doctoral s’ha centrat en l’ús de les aus marines i les rapinyaires com a espècies bioindicadores dels contaminants orgànics persistents i emergents ja que els acumulen a través de la dieta als seus teixits interns. S´han desenvolupat diversos mètodes d´anàlisi i s´ha estimat la incertesa de la mesura analítica. S´han estudiat les espècies següents: el petrell de les Bermudes (Pterodroma cahow)\, la gavina corsa (Larus audouinii)\, el gavià de potes grogues (Larus michahellis)\, el flamenc (Phoenicopterus roseus) i el pigarg cuablanc (Haliaeetus albicilla) que habiten i crien en diverses zones naturals d´interès com l´Arxipèlag de les Bermudes\, el Delta de l´Ebre\, les Illes Medes o en illes remotes de Noruega. Les matrius seleccionades han estat la sang\, els ous i el fetge d´aquestes aus. Els mètodes desenvolupats han permès determinar quantitativament les concentracions dels OCP\, dels PCB\, dels PBDE i dels PAH a través de GC-HRMS-Orbitrap; dels bisfenols\, de les benzofenones i dels ftalats mitjançant LC-MS/MS i dels PFAS mitjaçant LC-Q-ToF. S´ha fet èmfasi també en l´anàlisi no dirigida (suspect i non-targeted analysis) per determinar qualitativament contaminants orgànics nous en aquests teixits biològics. Aquesta Tesi Doctoral destaca l´amenaça i l´impacte generalitzat dels contaminants orgànics en espais naturals protegits i ecològicament fràgils.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/defensa-de-tesi-de-bernat-oro-nolla/
LOCATION:Sistemas avanzados de exposición celular en interfase aire-líquido y enfoques multi-ómicos para evaluar los efectos de los aerosoles atmosféricos sobre la salud pulmonar
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/PhD-Thesis-Defence_jds.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20240711T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20240711T123000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163500Z
CREATED:20240709T044709Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163500Z
UID:14020-1720693800-1720701000@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Albert Vega
DESCRIPTION:The PhD student Albert Vega\, from the ONHEALTH group\, will defend his thesis on 11th July at 10:30h in Aula Magna Enric Casassas\, Faculty of Chemistry (University of Barcelona) \nTitle: Micro and nanoplastics in the environment: development of mass-quantitative analytical methodologies for the global impact assessment \nDirectors: Marinella Farré and Esteban Abad \nThesis Committee: Oscar Núñez\, Enrico Bergamaschi and Ricard Marcos \nAbstract:\nMicro and nanoplastics (MNPLs) are considered contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) due to their detrimental environmental and human health effects already reported in recent literature and because current legislation applied in developed countries is not able to regulate these effectively enough or simply does not exist in most developing countries. Plastic pollution concerns the scientific community because of its continuous introduction to the environment and the poor consensus regarding the impact at global scale and its potential toxic effects associated with living organisms that are still poorly understood. Moreover\, there is a lack of harmonised quantitative analytical methodologies able to estimate plastic pollution’s impact in terms of mass concentration. The main current scientifc advances published for these purposes are related to microscopy\, spectroscopy or nanometric techniques that are more suitable for successful particle characterisation (nature\, size and shape) and qualitative extrapolations based on plastic particle-counting approaches which are unsuitable to provide real quantitative measurements. \n\nIn the present context of climate change\, circular economy processes acquire increased importance and there is a need to understand what micro(nano)plastics are\, as well as their different origin sources\, their occurrence\, fate\, behaviour in the environment\, and the different human exposure routes. In this sense\, in this doctoral thesis\, mass-quantitative analytical methodologies based on liquid and pyrolysis-gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry have been developed and applied to samples collected from different environmental compartments and marine biota in order to assess the plastic pollution by MNPLs abundance and to give a comprehensive global view. Target and suspect screening approaches have been applied to obtain the polymeric and plastic additives composition. Moreover\, various MNPLs human exposure routes have been also evaluated through contaminated food (mussels previously exposed)\, drinking water taken from household taps located in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area\, and bottled water in single-use plastic bottles from the 20 most popular commercial brands in Spain.\n\nThus\, this thesis contributes to enhance the understanding and knowledge about MNPLs pollution\, putting special emphasis on the occurrence\, fate\, and behaviour of these contaminants in atmospheric and aquatic ecosystems from areas close to populated zones to remote regions\, the potential exposure to marine biota\, and ultimately\, to humans. In addition\, the analytical methodologies presented here will help to address the scientific community regarding the current lack of mass-quantitative methods available in order to tackle plastic pollution through real and more accurate MNPLs-polymers abundances at ultra-trace levels\, and finally\, to obtain a more comprehensive view of the real impact of these contaminants on the environment and the subsequent potential threats associated with living organisms through the main exposure pathways.\n 
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-albert-vega/
LOCATION:Aula Magna\, Facultat Química (UB)
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/PhD-Thesis-Defence_AlbertVega.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20240430T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20240430T170000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163355Z
CREATED:20240403T061555Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163355Z
UID:14003-1714489200-1714496400@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Juliette Bedrossiantz
DESCRIPTION:The PhD student Juliette Bedrossiantz\, from the Environmental Toxicology group\, will defend her thesis on 30th April at 15:00h in Sala d’Actes IDAEA. \nTitle: Development of screening methodologies for chemical risk assessment: behavioral effects and neuropathological mechanisms in aquatic species \nDirectors: Demetrio Raldua\, Carlos Barata and Jérôme Cachot  \nThesis Committee: Vincenzo Di Donato\, Marija Stevanovic and Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles \nAbstract:\nWith the incessant growth of the chemical industry and the development of new molecules\, there is an urgent need to evaluate the toxicity of many chemicals and their safe levels of exposure to ensure the protection of the environment and human health Currently\, regulations on environmental risk assessment of chemicals are based on three main criteria for decision-making: lethality\, growth\, and reproduction. However\, by adopting sublethal endpoints\, such as considering changes in essential behaviors\, we could improve the accuracy of risk assessment due to exposure to contaminants through the environment and\, therefore\, minimize these risks. \nThis thesis focuses on developing effective screening strategies through methodological advancements and validation of behavioral assays in aquatic models\, specifically zebrafish\, Japanese medaka\, and Daphnia magna. \nThe methods outlined in this thesis are meticulously detailed to ensure reproducibility and ease of replication. Automation of tests and the use of video tools offer several advantages\, including objective evaluations\, reduced variability\, and minimized error factors\, facilitating their application in toxicological studies. \nThe research initially explores the use of automated behavioral assays in the Daphnia magna model for screening emerging pollutants\, particularly neuroactive drugs. Subsequently\, behavioral assays are used to identify environmentally relevant adverse effects induced by insecticides in zebrafish larvae. Pharmacological validation and target profiling are employed to decipher potential modes of action. \nThe thesis also investigates neurotoxic effects in adult zebrafish exposed to environmental levels of glyphosate and methamphetamine. Mechanistic approaches are utilized to understand adverse pathways leading to observed behavioral changes. Additionally\, the zebrafish neurotoxidrome model is validated for testing potential therapeutic drugs\, exemplified by N-acetyl cysteine’s protective effects against oxidative damage induced by acrylamide. \nComparative toxicology analysis is employed to highlight similarities and differences in neurotoxic responses between organisms exposed to insecticides and a fungicide. The reproducibility of assays and the varying sensitivity of organisms to chemical compounds underscore the importance of studying multiple model organisms for comprehensive risk assessments. \nIn conclusion\, this thesis introduces innovative screening methodologies and provides valuable insights into chemical risk assessment in aquatic species. By incorporating behavior as a new endpoint in One Health assessments and extending research to non-mammalian models\, it contributes to advancing toxicology\, environmental conservation\, and human health protection. These findings hold significant implications for regulatory frameworks\, guiding decisions to ensure the safe and sustainable use of chemicals in our environment. \n 
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-juliette-bedrossiantz/
LOCATION:Salón de actos IDAEA\, c/Jordi Girona\, 18\, Barcelona
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://idaea.csic.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/thesis_juliette.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20240202T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20240202T130000
DTSTAMP:20261018T163248Z
CREATED:20240111T115013Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261018T163248Z
UID:13986-1706871600-1706878800@idaea.csic.es
SUMMARY:PhD Thesis Defence by Joan Botey i Bassols
DESCRIPTION:The PhD student Joan Botey i Bassols\, from the Groundwater and Hydrogeochemistry group\, will defend his thesis on 2nd February at 11:00h in Sala de tesines – Escola de Camins UPC Campus Nord\, C1-002. \nIf you want to attend online\, please click on this link \nTitle: Exploring the potential of satellite InSAR in geological engineering: new opportunities in land monitoring and hydrogeological characterisation \nDirectors: Enric Vázquez-Suñé\,Pierre Gerard and Michele Crosetto \nThesis Committee: Giorgia Giardina\, Rudy Rosetto and Marcel Hürlimann \nAbstract:\nInterferometry with Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is a remote sensing technique to measure displacements of the observed surface\, either the ground or any structure on it. Although the systematic acquisition of SAR data from satellites started in the 1990s\, InSAR is a technique still in development. The continuous improvement of the successive SAR satellite constellations in terms of reliability\, revisit time\, spatial resolution and data accessibility\, and the processing techniques of SAR data in the estimation of the surface displacement are improving the performance of InSAR. Thus\, this doctoral thesis aims to explore the new opportunities that InSAR offers today. In particular\, the objectives are\, first\, to explore novel contributions of InSAR in geological engineering\, more specifically\, in land monitoring and the hydrogeological characterisation of the ground; and\, second\, to do so while covering both qualitative and quantitative approaches at both regional and local scales. These goals are addressed through four questions. The first question aims to investigate whether InSAR’s spatial resolution and precision are high enough today to monitor ground deformation at such a local scale and in such a changing environment as a construction site. Applied to the ground deformation induced by the dewatering of civil engineering works\, InSAR provides a much more complete view and understanding of the observed phenomena than more common alternative techniques such as levelling. However\, levelling usually provides more precise measurements. Thus\, a combination of both techniques will improve and make the monitoring of civil engineering works more reliable. The second question is whether\, because of its spatial data density and its precision\, InSAR is suitable for the numerical modelling of extensive ground deformation phenomena. The results achieved thanks to InSAR data in the hydromechanical numerical modelling of regional and long-term ground subsidence related to the overexploitation of confined aquifers prove to be significantly better than the results obtained with other data sources. InSAR data can\, first\, cover the whole extent of the aquifer system and identify several different deformation phenomena and\, second\, improve the design of the numerical models and the calibration of the ground parameters\, thus achieving a significantly better reproduction and understanding of the observed ground subsidence that enable the design of more adequate and effective policies for land planning and the management of (ground)water resources. The third question turns to a novel InSAR technique: coherence-change detection (CCD)\, a method to detect and map\, under certain conditions\, changes in the observed surface. In particular\, the question is whether InSAR coherence can indeed remotely detect torrential sediment transport events in arid environments. The conclusion is that InSAR coherence is not only able to detect the occurrence of such events but shows a greater detection capacity than the meteorological data\, being much more operative and economical than field campaigns. Finally\, the fourth question is whether InSAR coherence can remotely map these events\, aiming to evaluate the uncertainty that other factors that may also affect InSAR coherence introduce in the CCD maps. The comparison of several mapping methods with different sensitivity to each component of the coherence changes show that CCD methods are able to locate the areas affected by such events\, although rugged areas require a thorough analysis and the precise delimitation of the affected areas still presents some uncertainty. All in all\, despite the weaknesses that are still to be resolved\, InSAR already offers valuable contributions to geological engineering.
URL:https://idaea.csic.es/event/phd-thesis-defence-by-joan-botey-i-bassols/
CATEGORIES:Thesis Defence
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END:VCALENDAR