Dr. María Nazaret González Alcaraz

Researcher (Ramón y Cajal Contract)
Email
nazaret.gonzalez@upct.es
Education
PhD in Biology
Current Position

Researcher (Ramón y Cajal Contract)

Former Position

2020-06-01 to 2022-04-30. Senior Researcher. Regional Subprogram Saavedra Fajardo, Seneca Foundation, Science and Technology Agency of Murcia

2019-03-28 to 2020-05-31 Researcher (Contract associated to R&D Project from which I was the Principal Investigator) (Department of Biology & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro)

2019-03-28 to 2020-05-31 Researcher (Contract associated to R&D Project from which I was the Principal Investigator) (Department of Biology & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro)

2017-01-02 to 2019-01-01 Researcher (Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship) (Biology & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro) 

2016-07-01 to 2016-12-31 | Postdoctoral Researcher (Contract associated to R&D Project, UPCT)

2015-10-01 to 2016-06-30 | Postdoctoral Researcher (Contract associated to R&D Project, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, NL)

Fellow of Collaboration, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Geology and Edaphology. University of Murcia (12/12 / 2005-30 / 06/2006); FPU Predoctoral Fellow; Department of Agricultural Science and Technology, Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (05/18 / 2007-16 / 05/201); Contract R&D+i Department of Plant Production, Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (25/05 / 2011-24 / 12/201); Specialization Fellow associated to R&D+i activities Department of Science and Agricultural Technology, Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (25/12 / 2011-31 / 03/2013); Contract R+D+i Department of Agricultural Science and Technology, Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (01/04 / 2013-30 / 09/2013); Postdoctoral Fellow Ramón Areces Foundation, Department of Ecological Science. Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences. VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands (01/10/ 2013 30/09/2015); Contract R+D+i  Department of Ecological Science. Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences. VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands (01/10/2015-30/06/2016).

Codes and Identifiers

Researcher: ID M-6777-2015

Orcid Code: 0000-0002-0494-4266

Key Words
Metal pollution; Soil pollution; Climate change; Ecotoxicology; Biogeochemistry; Ecosystems restoration
Overview of Scientific Production

H Index: 10

Sum of the times cited without self-citations: 244 (WOS), 257 (SCOPUS)

SCI publications: 36 (26 in Q1 -6 in D1-, 17 as first author, 7 as senior)

Book chapters: 18 (1 as first author, 4 as senior)

Conferences/symposiums/workshops participation: 73 (12 invited talks)

 

 

Research Subjects

My PhD was framed on the study of the soil-water-plant system in eutrophic and metal-polluted environments, particularly in wetlands and soils affected by mine wastes. I specialized in the biogeochemical processes affecting the dynamics of organic matter, nutrients and metals from aerobic to anoxic conditions. I conducted experiments to assess the effects of the binomial plant vs. amendment (liming, MSW) on the dynamics of nutrients and
metals to establish to what extent different phytoremediation measures are applicable in contaminated and/or eutrophic soils.

In 2013, I was awarded with the postdoctoral fellowship from the Fundación Ramón Areces to work for 2 years (01/10/2013-30/09/2015) on the field of soil ecotoxicology under the supervision of Dr. C.A.M. van Gestel (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands). From October/2015 to July/2016 I continued working as postdoctoral researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam sponsored by the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena. I am currently working as a postdoctoral Marie Skłodowska-Curie researcher at the Universidade of Aveiro (Portugal). During my postdoctoral research, and in order to broaden my knowledge in the field of soil contamination, I performed ecotoxicological studies with different soil invertebrates species in metal-polluted soils. Such studies were developed under the framework of different climate change scenarios (changing air temperature and soil moisture content) in order to assess the potential effects of global warming on the toxicity of metalpolluted soils and to perform a proper assessment of the ecotoxicological risk.

I have participated in 9 research projects at regional, national and international level, 2 projects related to teaching innovation and 14 R&D contracts with companies and/or administrations.

Recent Publications

Alhama, I, García-Ros, G., González-Alcaraz, M.N., Álvarez-Rogel, J. 2022. Long-term artificial seawater irrigation as a sustainable environmental management strategy for abandoned solar salt works: The case study of Agua Amarga salt marsh (SE Spain) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2022.106429. Catena 217, 106429.

Álvarez-Rogel, J., Peñalver-Alcalá, A., González-Alcaraz, M.N. 2022. Spontaneous vegetation colonizing abandoned metal(loid) mine tailings consistently modulates climatic, chemical and biological soil conditions throughout seasons. Science of the Total Environment 838, 155945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155945.

Silva I, Alves M, Malheiro C, Silva ARR, Loureiro S, Henriques I, González-Alcaraz MN. 2022. Short-Term Responses of Soil Microbial Communities to Changes in Air Temperature, Soil Moisture and UV Radiation. Genes. 13(5):850. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13050850

Silva, A.R., Malheiro, C., Loureiro, S., González-Alcaraz, M.N. 2022. Toxicity of historically metal(loid)-contaminated soils to Folsomia candida under the influence of climate change alterations. Environmental Pollution, Available online 5 April 2022, 119256.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119256.

- Peñalver-Alcalá, A., Álvarez-Rogel, J., Peixoto, S., Silva, I., Silva, A.R.R., González-Alcaraz, M.N. 2021. The relationships between functional and physicochemical soil parameters in metal(loid) mine tailings from Mediterranean semiarid areas support the value of spontaneous vegetation colonization for phytomanagement. Ecological Engineering 168, 106293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106293 

- Peñalver-Alcalá, A., Álvarez-Rogel, J., Conesa, HM, González-Alcaraz, MN. 2021. Biochar and urban solid refuse ameliorate the inhospitality of acidic mine tailings and foster effective spontaneous plant colonization under semiarid climate. Journal of Environmental Management 292, 112824.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112824

- Álvarez-Rogel, J., Peñalver-Alcalá, A., Jiménez-Cárceles, F.J., Tercero, M.C., González-Alcaraz, M.N. 2021. Evidence supporting the value of spontaneous vegetation for phytomanagement of soil ecosystem functions in abandoned metal(loid) mine tailings. Catena 201, 105191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2021.105191

- González-Alcaraz, M.N., Malheiro, C., Cardoso, D.N., Loureiro, S. (2019). Soil moisture influences the avoidance behavior of invertebrate species in anthropogenic metal(loid)-contaminated soils. Environmental Pollution 248, 546-554. Links: doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.01.105http://hdl.handle.net/10773/25425

- Álvarez-Rogel, J., Tercero, MC, Conesa, H., Párraga-Aguado, I., González-Alcaraz, MN. (2018). Biochar from sewage sludge and pruning trees reduced porewater Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in acidic, but not basic, mine soils under hydric conditions. Journal of Environmental Management 223, 554–565. ISSN: 0269-7491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.06.055.

- Rui G. Morgado, Susana Loureiro, María Nazaret González-Alcaraz (2017) Chapter 3- Changes in ecosystem structure and soil functions due to soil contamination. In: Duarte, A., Cachada, A., Rocha-Santos, T.. (EDS.), Soil Pollution: From Monitoring to Remediation. 59-87. 9780128498736. (see details). Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-849873-6.00003-0

- Barmentlo, S.H., van Gestel, C.A.M., Álvarez-Rogel J., González-Alcaraz MN. 2017. Influence of climate change on the multi-generation toxicity to Enchytraeus crypticus of soils polluted by metal/metalloid mining wastes. Environmental Pollution. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.078.

- Párraga-Aguado, I., Álvarez-Rogel, J., González-Alcaraz, M.N., Conesa, H.M. 2017. Metal mobility assessment for the application of an urban organic waste amendment in two degraded semiarid soils. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 173: 92–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2016.11.022.

- Tercero MC, Álvarez-Rogel J., Conesa HM, Párraga, I, González-Alcaraz MN. 2016. Phosphorus retention and fractionation in soils and Phragmites australis plants in eutrophic wetlands: a one-year mesocosms experiment under fluctuating conditions. Journal of Environmental Management, 190: 197-207.

- González-Alcaraz, N.N., van Gestel, C.A.M. 2016. Toxicity of a metal(loid)-polluted agricultural soil to Enchytraeus crypticus changes under a global warming perspective: variations in air temperature and soil moisture content. Science of the Total Environment, 573: 203-211.

- González-Alcaraz, N.N., van Gestel, C.A.M. 2016. Metal/metalloid (As, Cd and Zn) bioaccumulation in the earthworm Eisenia andrei under different scenarios of climate change. Environmental Pollution, 215: 178-186. 

- Álvarez-Rogel, J., Tercero, M.C., Arce, M.I., Delgado, M.J., Conesa, H.M., González-Alcaraz, M.N. 2016. : Nitrate removal and potential soil N2O emissions in eutrophic salt marshes with and without Phragmites australis. Geoderma, 282: 49-58.

- González-Alcaraz, M.N., van Gestel, C.A.M. 2015. Climate change effects on enchytraeid performance in metal-polluted soils explained from changes in metal bioavailability and bioaccumulation. Environmental Research, 142: 177-184.

- Tercero, M.C., Álvarez-Rogel, J., Conesa, H.M., Ferrer, M.A., Calderón, A.A., López-Orenes, A., González-Alcaraz, M.N. 2015. Response of biogeochemical processes of the water-soil-plant system to experimental flooding-drying conditions in a eutrophic wetland: the role of Phragmites australis. Plant and Soil, 396: 109-125.

- Párraga-Aguado, I., González-Alcaraz, M.N., López-Orenes, A., Ferrer-Ayala, M.A., Conesa, H.M. 2016. Evaluation of the environmental plasticity in the xerohalophyte Zygophyllum fabago L. for the phytomanagement of mine tailings in semiarid areas. Chemosphere, 161: 259-265.

- González-Alcaraz, M.N., Tsitsiou, E., Wieldraaijer, R., Verweij, R.A., van Gestel, C.A.M. 2015. Effects of climate change on the toxicity of soils polluted by metal mine wastes to Enchytraeus crypticus. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 34: 346-354.

González-Alcaraz, M.N., Aránega, B., Conesa, H.M., Delgado, M.J., Álvarez-Rogel, J. 2015. Contribution of soil properties to assess seawater irrigation program as a management strategy of abandoned solar saltworks. Catena, 126: 189-200.

- Párraga-Aguado, I., González-Alcaraz, M.N., Schulin, R., Conesa, H.M. 2015. The potential use of Piptatherum miliaceum for the phytomanagement of mine tailings in semiarid areas: Role of soil fertility and plant competition. Journal of Environmental Management, 158: 74-84.

- Párraga-Aguado, I., González-Alcaraz, M.N., Álvarez-Rogel, J., Conesa, H.M. 2014. Assessment of the employment of halophyte plant species for the phytomanagement of mine tailings in semiarid areas. Ecological Engineering, 71: 598-604.

- Párraga-Aguado, I., Querejeta, J.I., González-Alcaraz, M.N., Jiménez-Cárceles, F.J., Conesa, H.M. 2014. Elemental and stable isotope composition of Pinus halepensis foliage along a metal(loid) polluted gradient: implications for phytomanagement of mine tailings in semiarid areas. Plant and Soil, 379: 93-107.

- González-Alcaraz, M.N., Jiménez-Cárceles, F.J., Álvarez, Y., Álvarez-Rogel, J. 2014. Gradients of soil salinity and moisture, and plant distribution, in a Mediterranean semiarid saline watershed: a model of soil-plant relationships for contributing to the management. Catena, 115: 150-158.

- González-Alcaraz, M.N., Aránega, B., Tercero, M.C., Conesa, H.M., Álvarez-Rogel, J. 2014. Irrigation with seawater as a strategy for the environmental management of abandoned solar saltworks: a case study in SE Spain base on soil-vegetation relationships. Ecological Engineering, 71: 677-689.

- Párraga-Aguado, I., Querejeta, J.I., González-Alcaraz, M.N., Jiménez-Cárceles, F.J., Conesa, H.M. 2014. Metal(loid) allocation and nutrient retranslocation in Pinus halepensis trees growing on semiarid mine tailings. Science of the Total Environment, 485-486: 406-414.

- Párraga-Aguado, I., Querejeta, J.I., González-Alcaraz, M.N., Jiménez-Cárceles, F.J., Conesa, H.M. 2014. Usefulness of pioneer vegetation for the phytomanagement of metal(loid)s enriched tailings: grasses vs. shrubs vs. trees. Journal of Environmental Management, 133: 51-58.

Projects
COMPLEMENTARY PLAN IN AGRI-FOOD (AGROALNEXT)
Application of phytomanagement techniques for environmental restoration of metalliferous mining waste deposits from semi-arid areas (FiAmbRes) PDC2021-121263-I00.
METAL CONTAMINATION IN A GLOBAL WARMING PERSPECTIVE ​Effects on soil properties and relation with toxicity changes
Sustainability for the phytomanagement of mining polluted soil: an ecophysiological and microbiological approach (CGL2017-82264-R)
Functionality and resilience of soils polluted by mining wastes under climate change conditons in mediterranean environments: ecotoxicological aspects and the use biochar for remediation ( CGL2016-80981-R-2)
Phytomanagement of semiarid mine tailings employing biochar and native tree species: an ecotoxicological and ecophysiological evaluation (CGL2014-54029-R)
Evaluation of the toxicity of mining wastes using bioassays with plants and soil invertebrates: remediation with biochar from municipal waste refuse and sludge of waste water treatment plants (CGL2013-49009-C3-1-R)
Ecophysiological and ecotoxicological evaluation of the combined used of biochar and native tree species autóctonas for restoring mining wastes in the Cartagena-La Unión Mining District (19248/PI/14)
Relations between biogeochemical cycles and the role of wetlands as green filters: effects of eutrophication, plant species and the season of the year for carbon sequestration.
Heavy metals, arsenic and phosphorous dynamic in the soil-water-plant system in wetlands polluted by metal mine wastes: experiments about the effect of calcium carbonate and the hydromophic conditions
Depuration of eutrophic water in wetlands affected by mining wastes in the Mar Menor lagoon: consequences of the channalization of watercourses and effects of calcium carbonate and hydromorphic conditions on biogeochemical processes
Another Projects and Contracts

GLOBALTOX – Toxicity of anthropogenic multi-stressed soils under a global warming perspective

Coordinator - Susana Loureiro and MN González Alcaraz
Programme - Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships
Execution dates - 2017-01-01 - 2018-12-31 (24 Months)
Funding Entity - H2020-MSCA
Funding for CESAM - 148635.6 €
Total Funding - 148635.6 €
Proponent Institution - Universidade de Aveiro
 

Global climate change is displayed as a set of stressors (increasing temperature and CO2 levels, decreasing soil moisture content, higher UV radiation exposure) potentially impairing both biotic and abiotic ecosystem components. This may worsen in environments degraded by human activities where organisms have to deal with multiple stress factors, i.e. in multi-stressed environments, and the toxicity of the contaminants present may change depending on climate conditions. GLOBALTOX aims at assessing how the toxicity of anthropogenic multi-stressed soils may be affected under the current global warming perspective, using soil invertebrates as bioindicators along with soil physicochemical and microbiological parameters. An inter/multidisciplinary ecotoxicological approach will be applied to soils from different environments with high human pressure (metal mining and agricultural areas), different soil invertebrate species (collembolans and enchytraeids) and single and multiple combinations of different climate factors (air temperature, soil moisture content, atmospheric CO2 concentrations and UV radiation). Climate factor combinations will be based on the emission scenarios predicted by the IPCC by the year 2100. For a complete overview of the problem, the project will rely on changes in key soil parameters (pH, organic matter, nutrient cycling, microbial community) and soil invertebrates (body metal concentrations, enzymatic biomarkers, DNA-damage, gene expression) to understand the effects at organism/population level (survival and reproduction).

Members on this project

Image removed. Nazaret Gonzalez
Researcher

Image removed. Susana Loureiro
Coordinator

International Networks

FA0901. Putting halophytes to work: from genes to ecosystem. Cost Action-European Cooperation in Science and Technology. IP: T Flowers. 05/2009-10/2013

Activities in Foreign Centers

Institution: Applied Ecology and Ecotoxicology Research Group – appIEE Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. 01/2017-Actual. Soil contamination and remediation; Soil ecotoxicology; Soil invertebrates; Climate change.

Institution: Department of Ecological Science. Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences. VU University Amsterdam. Localidad: Ámsterdam (01.10.13-30.09.15).

Institution: Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Económico-Sociales. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Localidad: Villa Mercedes. Argentina. (20.05.13-08.06.13).

Institution: Instituto de Oceanografia. Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa. Localidad: Lisboa. Portugal. (01.10.10–30.11.10).

Institution: Soil Protection Group. Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology-ETH. Zúrich. (01.06.09–30.07.09).

Congresses and Workshops

1. Member of the organizing commettee

V Simposio Sobre Control de la Degradación y Uso Sostenible del Suelo (CDUSS). Spanish congress. June 201.

2. Invited talks

Title of the work: Depuración de aguas eutrofizadas en humedales naturales del Mar Menor
Name of the conference: Simposio sobre filtros verdes en el Mar Menor, Consejería de Agricultura, Agua y
Medio Ambiente de la CARM
Type of event: Simposio Geographical area: Regional
Type of participation: Participatory - invited/keynote talk
Reasons for participation: Upon invitation
City of event: Murcia, Region of Murcia, Spain
Date of event: 10/2015
Organising entity: COMUNIDAD AUTONOMA DE LA REGION DE MURCIA
Authors: J Álvarez-Rogel; MN González-Alcaraz; HM Conesa; MC Tercero; IM Párraga; FJ Jiménez-Cárceles.

 

Title of the work: Eutrofización y contaminación por metales en humedales del Mar Menor: comprendiendo
los procesos biogeoquímicos para plantear posibles actuaciones de manejo
Name of the conference: Jornadas Científicas del Mar Menor
Type of event: Workshop Geographical area: Regional
Type of participation: Participatory - invited/keynote talk
Reasons for participation: Upon invitation
City of event: San Pedro del Pinatar, Region of Murcia, Spain
Date of event: 12/2014
Organising entity: Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia
Authors: María Nazaret González-Alcaraz; Héctor M. Conesa Alcaraz; José Álvarez-Rogel.

Title of the work: Soils and vegetation as indicators of ecosystem recovery in a former saline exploitation
following its irrigation with seawater
Name of the conference: International meeting COST Action FA0901 Workshop and IUSS Conference
Utilization and Protection of halophytes and Salt-affected landscapes
Type of event: Workshop Geographical area: European Union
Type of participation: Participatory - invited/keynote talk
Reasons for participation: Upon invitation
City of event: Kecskemét, Hungary
Date of event: 09/2013
Authors: José Álvarez-Rogel; María Nazaret González-Alcaraz.

Title of the work: Impacto de la minería sobre los ecosistemas en condiciones de clima semiárido:
dinámica de metales en el sistema suelo-agua-planta y alternativas de regeneración.
Name of the conference: VI Simposio nacional sobre control de la degradación y restauración de suelos
Type of event: Conference Geographical area: National
Type of participation: Participatory - invited/keynote talk
Reasons for participation: Upon invitation
City of event: Almería, Andalusia, Spain
Date of event: 02/2013
Organising entity: SOCIEDAD ESPAÑOLA DE LA CIENCIA DEL SUELO
Authors: María Nazaret González-Alcaraz; José Álvarez-Rogel; Héctor Miguel Conesa.

Title of the work: Degradación ambiental en el saladar de Lo Poyo: qué sabemos y cómo podríamos actuar
Name of the conference: I Jornada sobre restauración de espacios degradados en la Región de Murcia
Type of event: Workshop Geographical area: Regional
Type of participation: Participatory - invited/keynote talk
Reasons for participation: Upon invitation
City of event: Murcia, Region of Murcia, Spain
Date of event: 03/2011
Organising entity: Dirección General del Patrimonio Natural y la Biodiversidad de la Región de Murcia
M. Nazaret González-Alcaraz; José Álvarez-Rogel.

Title of the work: Procesos edáficos en saladares eutrofizados y contaminados por residuos mineros en el
SE de España: Una síntesis de diez años de trabajo
Name of the conference: Seminario sobre geoquímica y mineralogía de manglares y humedales
Type of event: Seminar Geographical area: National
Type of participation: Participatory - invited/keynote talk
Reasons for participation: Upon invitation
City of event: Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
Date of event: 09/2010
Organising entity: SECS-CSIC
Authors: M. Nazaret González-Alcaraz; José Álvarez-Rogel.

Title of the work: Wetlands and salt marshes: similarities and differences
Name of the conference: First Scientific Meeting COST FA0901: Putting Halophytes to work from genes to
ecosystems
Type of event: Conference Geographical area: European Union
Type of participation: Participatory - invited/keynote talk
Reasons for participation: Upon invitation
City of event: Naples, Italy
Date of event: 03/2010
Authors: J. Álvarez-Rogel; M.N. González-Alcaraz.

Summary of Teaching Activities

Supervisor of 3 PhD Thesis at the Universidad Politécnia de Cartagena, 7 Bachelor projects (6 at the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena and 1 at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and 3 Master Thesis at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and one more at the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena.

The scientific work has been complimented by teaching activities in different Bachelor degrees and 2 doctoral seminars within the PhD program of Advanced Techniques in Food and Agricultural Research and Development of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena. I have also taught theoretical and practical teaching (50 hours) in the graduate course "Soil salinity and saline ecosystems: soil-vegetation relationships, roles and study methodology" at the National University of San Luis (Argentina).