Our program activities include in-depth characterization of emissions that threaten the environment, atmosphere, water, soil and global climate. We also develop, validate and optimize innovative strategies for waste management, valorization and biological treatment. We also conduct research on the quantification and improvement of carbon capture and stabilization in soils. Finally, we quantitatively assess the environmental sustainability of products, companies, regions and food systems in general through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to support decisions and policies.
Centers where the program works
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Environmental monitoring and analysis of environmental processes
Implementation of advanced analytical tools for the qualitative and quantitative characterization of environmental emissions:
- Analysis of greenhouse gases and other environmental emissions (waste, water and gases) from livestock farms, crops and biosystems in general.
- Industrial hygiene and characterization of environmental hazards related to chemical and microbial pollution.
- Characterization of microbial populations (bacteria, archaea and fungi) in environmental bioprocesses.
- Chemical analysis of water and wastewater samples, with a focus on the presence of nutrients and organic compounds, but also environmental pollutants.
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Environmental biotechnology for a more sustainable agri-food sector
Development and validation of innovative (bio)techniques for the prevention and mitigation of environmental pollution, and the valorization of organic waste and by-products:
- Biogas production from organic waste by anaerobic (co)digestion. Determination of the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of complex organic substrates.
- Composting of organic waste and solid-state fermentations for the production of bio-based fertilizers and value-added products.
- Basic and applied research on emerging biotechnological concepts (i.e. bioelectrochemical systems, biogas upgrading, etc.) and established bioprocesses.
- Technologies for nutrient removal/recovery (stripping/absorption, struvite precipitation, NDN, solar drying and vacuum evaporation).
- Bioremediation of soil and groundwater pollution (excess nutrients, hydrocarbons and petroleum derivatives, fuel additives, organohalogens, plastics, heavy metals, emerging pollutants and micropollutants).
- Setup, commissioning and evaluation of bioprocesses at the scale of laboratory, and expansion to pilot scale bioreactor units.
- Advice and monitoring of large scale waste and wastewater facilities, as well as in agricultural systems.
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Environmental microbiology
Generation and improvement of knowledge in environmental microbiology in agrosystems, bioreactors and the environment, for the functional characterization of microbial populations:
- Identification and use of native metabolic capacities to solve environmental problems (soil, water, air).
- Advanced mitigation of GHG emissions, adapting microbial activity in different agrosystems.
- Modulation of the physiological activity of microbial communities to accelerate bioprocesses (agrosystems and bioreactors).
- Selective isolations and microbial cultures/consortia for key bioprocesses.
- DNA/RNA-based technologies (qPCR, Metabarcoding, Metagenomics), bioinformatics and biostatistics.
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Quantitative assessment of environmental sustainability of products, organizations or regions
Development and implementation of environmental footprint (EF) methods, i.e. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and autonomous footprints (carbon footprint, water footprint):
- Implementation of LCA and EF in the agri-food sector (agriculture, livestock, aquaculture/fishery, food processing) as a decision support tool for the optimization of processes and services based on objective sustainability criteria.
- Support for decision-making for multiple stakeholders: producer (sustainability goals and strategies, production process improvement, product and organizational footprints, soil carbon certification), consumer/retailer (labeling, green claims), regulator/policy (territorial data and assessments).
- Development of locally adapted data inventories for a more accurate LCA of processes related to food production, food losses and waste, residual biomass management and consumption activities.
- Development of new impact indicators for LCA studies: soil health, ecosystem services, water consumption, antimicrobial use, ecotoxicity, biodiversity, nutritional LCA, etc.
- Geographical studies on sustainable circular economy and bioeconomy. Quantification of non-renewable resource flows and potential substitution by bioresources (bioenergy, nutrients and biomaterials).
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Soil health and carbon sequestration
Development and implementation of innovative methods to regenerate and improve agricultural soil quality and health and find routes to enhance soil atmospheric carbon sequestration:
- Improvement of natural plant and soil processes (litter decomposition, microbial biomass accumulation, root exudation) in a way that can stabilize soil organic matter.
- Description of the impacts of improving soil quality and health on the productivity and stability of cropping systems in a changing climate.
- Effects of soil and crop management and edaphoclimatic characteristics on the structure, interactions and diversity of soil microbiota.
- Characterization and modulation of soil environmental ecosystem services, such as soil organic matter, carbon agriculture and carbon sequestration, soil microbiota and soil preservation techniques.
- Definition of new soil quality indicators in agricultural soils.
- Physicochemical characterization and use of innovative organic materials and processed wastes as agricultural fertilizers, soil enhancers and sustainable soil management practices.
Research staff
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Briones Hidrovo, Andrei Carlos
Investigador
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Burón Moles, Gemma
Researcher in polymer biodegradation
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Cáceres Reyes, Rafaela
Investigador
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Cerrillo Moreno, Miriam
Researcher in Bioelectrochemical Systems and Membranes
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Fernández Garcia, Belén
Environmental Biotechnology Researcher
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González, Lucila Soledad
Soil Carbon Certification Technician
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Núñez Pineda, Montserrat
Life Cycle Assessment Researcher
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Preece, Catherine
Researcher in soil health and carbon sequestration
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Riau Arenas, Víctor
Investigador
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Rosenbaum, Ralph
Life Cycle Assessment Researcher
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Ruiz Colmenero, Marta
Life Cycle Assessment Researcher
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Saber, Zahra
Life Cycle Assessment Postdoctoral Researcher
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Soledad Enriquez, Andrea
Investigador
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Viñas Canals, Marc
Investigador
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Xavier Prenafeta, Francesc
Researcher in Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology
Research staff in training
Technical staff
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Andón Mañero, Miquel
Life Cycle Assessment Technician
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Ballega Calvo, Ariadna
Life Cycle Assessment Technician
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Blanchart Cuella, Ruth
Bioprocess lab technician
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Carreras Sempere, Maria del Mar
Environmental and agricultural soil microbiology technician
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Guivernau Ribalta, Míriam
Head of Laboratory and Microbiology Studies
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Hernández Sanchez, Judith
Livestock Technician and Animal Health Assistance
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Laura Burgos Rodríguez
Personal Suport
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Lucas Márquez, Yolanda
Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Technician
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Martínez Soler, Núria
Life Cycle Assessment Technician
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Moreno Simón, Miguel
Bioprocess lab technician
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Noguerol Arias, Joan
Personal Suport
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Puerta Martínez, Anna Mª
Technician analyst in applied biotechnology
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Quer Sopeña, Hongmei
Technician in the Soil Carbon Working Group
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Ramirez Santos, Ana Gladys
Life Cycle Assessment Technician
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Rancaño, Víctor
Life Cycle Assessment Technician
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Romero Merino, Eva
Personal Suport
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Ruiz Lopez, Noelia
Bioprocess lab technician
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Suñol Garcia, Maria
Personal Suport
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Tey Estragues, Laura
Environmental Biotechnology Technician
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Tresserras Martínez, Pablo
Personal Suport
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Valero Asencio, Cristina
Personal Suport
Science to feed the future.
