National

Study of combined stress due to resources co-limitation and heavy metals for revegetation of mining soils in semiarid areas (RYC-2010-0566)

The presence of mining wastes in semiarid areas of Southeast Spain is considered an important environmental concern due to the risk of metal transfer to the biota and human population. The revegetation or phytostabilization of these areas has been proposed as an effective measure to avoid

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

According to the research priorities within the actual Spanish National Programmes, a detailed study about the soil-water-plant interactions in areas with high biodiversity is proposed. The research will be developed in two salt-marshes located in the coastal area of the Mar Menor (SE Spain). These sites are characterised by soils polluted by metal mine wastes and by eutrophicated water flowing across them.

Biotechnologic applications for mine tailings phytostabilization using pioneer vegetation in SE Spain: interest of ecophysiological and succesional indicators (CTM2011-23958)

To achieve these objectives, a field work stage and a pot experiment were performed. The first field survey was focused on the description of the edaphic and ecological gradients along a transect from a control non-polluted site to the mine tailings. The edaphic patch distribution was found to be determining for the selective establishment of spontaneous vegetation.

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.

Specific objectives are:
1. Determine to what extent the decomposition of the "litter" from different plant species is influenced by the presence of high nitrogen, phosphorus and dissolved organic carbon contents in eutrophicated waters and if this is related to the season of the year in which flooding-drying phases ocurr

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)

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 and air temperatures as well as decreasing soil moisture, the soils being among the most affected components of terrestrial ecosystems, especially in the Mediterranean area. Due to the importance of soil functions (organic matter/nutrient cycling, productivity, etc.), its response against such changes is crucial for assessing how terrestrial ecosystems might adapt and/or contribute to mitigate global warming.

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)

The risks of toxicity by metals/metalloids due to mining wastes pollution take place in the mine tailings, but also in lowland areas such as wetlands due to the erosion of the tailings and the transportation of wastes to these topographically depressed positions. In this Project, we work in field and experimental conditions, performing toxicity tests with seeds, seedings, young/adult plants and soil invertebrates.

Characterization and monitoring of the flora, vegetation and soils of the Agua Amarga salt marsh (Alicante, Spain)

Groundwater withdrawal by desalination plants might lead to a drop of the piezometric levels of aquifers,causing negative impacts, especially in water-dependent ecosystems. Management strategies are necessary to overcome these potential problems, particularly in abandoned solar saltworks, wetlands which are particularly prone to degradation by desiccation. This proyect aims to asses a pioneer programme of irrigation with seawater to correct the environmental impacts of two desalination plants in Agua Amarga salt marsh, SE Spain.

Evaluation of risks due to mine wastes in salt marshes of the coastal area of the Mar Menor (SE Spain): processes of metal mobilization in soils and bioaccumulation in plants and molluscs.

A detailed study of soil-plants-hydromorphy interactions is proposed which includes ecotoxicologycal aspects jointly with the identification of biomarkers of pollution in areas with high biodiversity. The research will be developed in two salt-marshes located in the coastal area of the Mar Menor (SE Spain). These sites are characterised by soils polluted by metal mine wastes, they have a high biodiversity and they suffer an intense human pressure.