Carmen Garrido-Pérez

Universidad de Cádiz | UCA · Department of Environmental Technologies

Aquaculture streams contain nutrients that can cause eutrophication problems if released to the environment. However, microalgae can absorb these compounds from the water. In this study, an autotrophic microalgae bloom was cultured outdoors in a High-Rate Algal Pond (20 m2) using an aquaculture stream. The process proved to be technically feasible,...

This work studies a biological process based on a microalgae-bacteria consortium for recycling nutrients in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) implanted in an intensive marine aquaculture farm. Additionally, some techniques were used for microalgae biomass harvesting and tested the effectiveness of filtration by a column with multi-layer sand...

The use of Tetraselmis chui to produce sole feed ingredient and the recovery of nutrients from a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) aquaculture facility was studied. The microalga was cultured in a pilot-scale (6 m³) outdoor raceway reactor located in a sole production plant. First, the growth of the microalgae, the addition of phosphorus and t...

This study researched the use of six microalgae species (N. gaditana, P. lutheri, I. galbana, T. chuii, P. tricornutum and C. gracilis) and a bloom to treat effluent from a marine fish farm and produce quality biomass. More specifically, simulated water from a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) was used. Microalgae culture was carried out under...

The current research investigated the potential environmental risk of the polycyclic musk compounds, Galaxolide® (HHCB) and Tonalide® (AHTN), in the marine environments. These substances are lipophilic, bioaccumulated, and potentially biomagnified in aquatic organisms. To understand the toxicity of HHCB and AHTN, acute toxicity tests were performed...

The current research investigated the environmental risk of the polycyclic musk compounds, Galaxolide® (HHCB) and Tonalide® (AHTN), in the marine environments. These substances are lipophilic, bioaccumulated and potentially biomagnified in aquatic organisms. To understand the toxicity of HHCB and AHTN, we performed acute toxicity tests by exposing...

The feasibility of use microalgae biotechnology to improve water quality together with the production of biomass to replace fish meal or fish oil in two marine fish farms with different production systems were studied. The samples were taken from a flow-through system (FTS) and a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with sea bass cultures of 300...

En este trabajo se describe la estructura del proyecto SUNRAS, las fases del proyecto y los estudios de investigación que se están llevando a cabo.

A mobile pilot plant was set up in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in southwest Spain to address potential adverse effects of effluents as a whole contaminant, which are discharging into marine environments. Ruditapes philippinarum specimens were exposed to different effluent concentrations (50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, and 3.15%) during seven days....

Urban effluent potential toxicity was assessed by a battery of biomarkers aimed at determining sub-lethal effects after continuous exposure on the marine organism Solea senegalensis. Specimens were exposed to five effluent concentrations (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32) during 7-days, simulating the dispersion plume at the discharge point. Three differe...

The challenge is to asses the adverse effect caused by the exposition of Ruditapes philippinarum to the complex matrix of contaminants present in the effluent discharges into marine environments using a continuous flow exposure experimental design

Emerging contaminants (ECs) and regulated compounds (RCs) from three different WWTP effluents were measured in the current study. The efficiency of two tertiary treatments, Photobiotreatment (PhtBio) and Multi-Barrier Treatment (MBT), for removing contaminants was determined. Results indicated different percentages of removal depending on the treat...

Microalgae are a promising bioenergy source as well as wastewater pollution reducers. This study aims to determine which species better satisfies the double objective of lipid production and wastewater nutrient removal. Seven species were cultured in batch under laboratory conditions in real wastewater and synthetic medium aiming to perform a meani...

This paper presents the results of the degradation of clofibric acid by ozonation. Furthermore, results of the toxic effect of clofibric acid and its intermediate compound, 4-chlorophene generated during the oxidation process, to alga Selenastrum capricornium, are also discussed.The degradation and mineralization of the compound are studied accordi...

The objective of this proposal is the design and implementation of an integrated approach allowing the assessment and characterization of the environmental risk associated to effluent wastewater effluent discharges in marine ecosystems

1. The aim of this work is offer a useful discriminator tool using whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing to distinguish different types of potential hazards in different marine environments from different geographical zones receiving urban WWTP effluents. 2. Suitability of two economic and environmental sustainable tertiary treatments for effluent...

Abstract: Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) reduce portion of the input of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems, but there is no data available about the elimination of emerging contaminants with microalgae technology. The aim of this work was to determine the average mass flows and concentrations of pharmaceuticals in influents and effluents from...

Pharmaceutical products are found in low concentrations constantly released into the environment, which contribute to their persistence. In this study, a battery of recognized short-term bioassays was applied to evaluate the risk assessment of sediment samples spiked with pharmaceutical products: carbamazepine, ibuprofen, fluoxetine, 17α-ethynylest...

Adverse effects of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) on sediment quality at the Bay of Cádiz (SW, Spain) were evaluated by a battery of acute bioassays and chemical contamination. Five sites directly affected by WWTPs effluents and one control site were chosen. Results evidenced clear deterioration of ecological sediment quality parameters and po...

The aim of this work was to study the stimulation of lipid production on the microalga Ankistrodesmus falcatus by varying cultivation conditions during the stationary phase. The effect of three factors (presence and absence of nitrogen, phosphorus, and light) has been tested once the cultures reached the stationary phase with the aim to increase th...

Microalgae strains, Botryococcus braunii and Chlorella vulgaris were cultured in urban wastewater as monoalgal cultures and together in co-cultures; the same experiments were performed in synthetic growth medium to establish comparisons between both media. A fully crossed factorial design was used to design and carry out the experiment, resulting i...

Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella kessleri and a natural Bloom were cultivated in batch experiments, under controlled conditions, in urban wastewater (WW) and synthetic wastewater (SW) under 5% CO2 in air, with the object of estimating their capacity for nutrient removal, carbon dioxide biofixation, and generation of valuable biom...

Nitrogen and phosphorus concentration in the effluent of a wastewater treatment plant can vary significantly, which could affect the growth kinetic and chemical composition of microalgae when cultivated in this medium. The aim of this work was to study the rate of growth, nutrient removal and carbon dioxide biofixation as well as biomass compositio...

This paper presents the results obtained in the degradation of ibuprofen by ozonation. This study aims to evaluate the degradation of ibuprofen by ozonation once the operating variables have been optimized, investigating the degradation and degradation efficiency of the compound and assessing the toxic effect of ibuprofen and of the intermediate co...

Effect of pH control with flue gas has been studied in two high rate algal ponds (HRAPs), one with a carbonation sump station (HRAP + S), and a tubular airlift photobioreactor (TPBR) treating urban wastewater. Fluegas, from 1600 MW combined cycle plant, addition (4–5% volume CO2) not only increased biomass productivitybut also improved efficiency o...

This article proposes a kinetic model for wastewater photobiotreatment with microalgae (the PhBT model). The PhBT model for nutrient uptake, coupled with the Verhulst growth model, is a simple and useful tool to describe batch experiments of nutrient removal by microalgae. The model has been validated with experiments of Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulg...

The streams from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) have been considered a valuable medium for mass cultivation of algal biomass. The aim of this work is to test and compare the performance of Chlorella vulgaris on several streams from five stages, from two different WWTP. The results showed biomass yields ranging from 39 to 195mg dry-wei...

Nitrogen and phosphorus concentration in the effluent of a wastewater treatment plant can vary significantly, which could affect the growth kinetic and chemical composition of microalgae when cultivated in this medium. The aim of this work was to study the rate of growth, nutrient removal and carbon dioxide biofixation as well as biomass compositio...

A laboratory-scale flat panel photobioreactor was operated for the continuous growth of Scenedesmus obliquus and consequent removal of nutrients in wastewater. This study develops a simple model by which biomass values in continuous operation can be predicted from kinetic growth parameters obtained from a shorter batch experiment. Based on this stu...

Batch experiments were performed to study biomass growth rate, nutrient removal and carbon dioxide bio-fixation of the marine microalgae Chlorella stigmatophora. Four different cultures at different salinities were tested: wastewater (WW), synthetic wastewater (SWW), seawater (SW) and diluted seawater (DSW). Experimental results showed that Chlorel...

Sewage discharge is a major source of pollution in marine environments. Urban wastewaters can directly enter marine environments carrying pathogen organisms, organic loads, and nutrients. Because marine sediments can act as the ultimate fate of a wide range of pollutants, environmental quality assessment in this compartment can help to identify pol...

This paper reports a study of the occurrence and levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a bay characterised by a chronic persistent impact. A total of 55 sediment samples were taken at different depths up to 111m in two sampling campaigns. Chemical analyses were carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The results indicate...

Urban and industrial activities are major sources of pollution to marine environments. Sediments can act as sink and reservoir for a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals. Environmental quality assessment in this compartment can provide useful information to control pollution in coastal areas. Lately, implementation of Environmental Le...

This study evaluates the feasibility of removing nutrients by the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, using urban wastewater as culture medium, namely the effluent subjected to secondary biological treatment in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). For this, laboratory experiments were performed in batch cultures to study the effect of initial nitrogen a...

Radioactivity levels in aquatic environments can be assessed through the study of superficial sediments. Anthropogenic activities may alter radioactivity levels leading to the anomalous accumulation of natural radionuclides in coastal areas. In this work, marine sediments from a significant area subjected to severe industrial development were colle...

The purpose of this study was to examine the sublethal and/or lethal effects produced by exposure of teleostean fish Solea senegalensis to γ isomer of lindane, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH). S. senegalensis was exposed to 0.1, 1 or 10 mg L of lindane for 96 h. Samples of different tissues (gills, liver and kidney) were extracted and processed for...

Industrial wastes have a substantial impact on coastal environments. Therefore, to evaluate the impact of cooling water discharges from coastal power plants, we studied the kinetics of the degradative processes and the ecotoxicity of two antifouling products: (1) a classic antifouling product; sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and (2) an alternative one;...

The purpose of the present study was to research the sublethal and/or lethal effects produced by the exposure of fish and shellfish to the gamma isomer of lindane, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH). The teleostean fish Sparus aurata and the shellfish Crassostrea angulata and Scrobicularia plana, were exposed to 16 micro g/L of lindane for 15...

Static bioassay test for acute toxicity of copper in Senegal sole juveniles (Solea senegalensis) was conducted. The 96h LC(50) value of metal was found to be 0.32mg/L Cu. The intensity of histological alterations was increased gradually with the copper concentration and the exposure time. Numerous aneurysms, hypertrophy, hyperplasia and fusion of t...

This study presents the results obtained of the microbial characterization of waters and sediments of 18 coastal bathing zones of the south-western coast of the Iberian Peninsula. To make this characterization, two indicators of faecal contamination have been selected: faecal coliforms (FC) and Clostridium perfringens (CP). The results show that lo...

In this paper, the toxicity of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) was evaluated in the marine microalga Isochrysis galbana using data of growth inhibition toxicity tests at 96-h exposure time. Toxicity was examined in standard conditions and by means of the modification of two variables of the test media: (1) the dilution water and (2) the content...

Alkyl ethoxysulphates (AES) are anionic surfactants widely used in numerous commercial and industrial applications. In spite of the high AES volume consumption a few data concerning the occurrence, fate and effects of AES in marine environments are reported in literature. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biodegradability and toxicity...

Since 1999, the environmental monitoring of the waters in Rio River (Southwestern of Spain) has been realised. In the head of the estuary, the river is affected by the urban sewage of a population of 60.000 inhabitants. The discharge increases the nutrients concentrations in the aquatic system. In order to study the processes occurring in the river...

Eggs/embryos and larvae were exposed to nominal concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10mg/L lindane. High percentage of mortality was observed in larvae exposed to 1mg/L (76.38%) and in embryos exposed to 10mg/L (81.98%) of lindane at 24h exposure. The acute toxicity expressed as LC(50) 48-h was 0.122mg/L for embryos and 0.318mg/L for larvae. Larvae...

The present paper describes the results of the application of the biodegradation test proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) “Biodegradability in sea water” Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) 835.3160, to Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS), the synthetic surfactant with the highest consum...

This article reports the primary biodegradation kinetics of linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) in sea water from the Bay of Cadiz (South West of the Iberian Peninsula). The authors used the biodegradation test guideline proposed by the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances of the United States Environmental Protection Agency; 83...

Dilution and autodepuration processes in an estuary of strong tidal regimen affected by sewage from a wastewater treatment plant have been studied and identified. To differentiate between both processes, three evaluations were made during different seasons. Two tests were developed in parallel during each evaluation: characterization of the estuary...

Dilution and autodepuration processes in an estuary of strong tidal regimen affected by sewage from a wastewater treatment plant have been studied and identified. To differentiate between both processes, three evaluations were made during different seasons. Two tests were developed in parallel during each evaluation: characterization of the estuary...

The aim of this study has been the identification of the nutritive status (oligotrophy end eutrophy) in four enclosure areas from Gulf of Cadiz (Southwest Iberian Peninsula-Europe) by means of a battery of water column toxicity tests. The test organisms were four marine microalgae which comprised a wide taxonomic range. Growth tests with receiving...

This paper shows the results obtained in various studies undertaken in the years 1999 to 2001 in the Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences of University of Cadiz, in Spain. This work was carried out in the sensible ecosystem of the estuary of Iro River. This estuary is directly affected by an important urban sewage. Although the waste is tre...

The University of Cadiz (southern Spain) and the Andalusian Environmental Agency (AMA) have signed an agreement to draw up a proposal of quality objectives for Andalusian littoral wa-ters in accordance with the classification of zones approved in the Andalusian Littoral Waters Quality Objectives Regulations (Decree 14/1996, 01-16-1996, BOJA no. 19,...