Thursday, April 11, 2024
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In addition to being at the helm of this organization, she is a doctor of Geology from the Complutense University of Madrid and a professor in the Department of Geology, Geography, and Environment at the University of Alcalá de Henares. Her mission is to fully understand the functioning of this vital resource for life, so that water is never lacking in our country or in the rest of the world.
Tomás Muñoz M.
Spain is one of the countries with the highest water stress in Europe. However, beyond periodic droughts or the effects of climate change, the best weapon to combat it is research. Only by applying the scientific perspective to the molecule made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom can the best decisions be made. That is the objective of the IMDEA Agua institute and its director, Irene de Bustamante.
How can Spain solve its water problem?
We must act on different fronts and make numerous decisions. However, broadly speaking and summarizing a lot, our country should bet on two mature technologies: desalination and reuse. Regarding the latter, in Spain, we already have legislation on water regeneration, but its use is not yet permitted for human consumption.
Is there awareness about the seriousness of the situation?
Awareness varies by sector and geographical location. For example, some industries, especially those that require large quantities of water, are aware because they have cost as a reference. On the contrary, the general population tends to be less aware. Continuing to educate and promote responsible usage and advocating for reduced consumption remains necessary. We're accustomed to turning on the tap and having water flow, but it's possible that in the future, this may not be the case anymore.
What is IMDEA Agua and what is its function?
It’s a research institute founded at the initiative of the Community of Madrid with the aim of conducting relevant studies on all aspects related to water, with the purpose of contributing to the water sustainability of the planet.
What exactly is meant by relevant research?
We have implemented a strategic surveillance process in order to detect priority issues, both in scientific-technological aspects and in economic, social, or legal aspects. Only then can we anticipate the needs that will be demanded in the future. However, at times, we also work on demand for any company that needs to solve a specific problem.
It mentions aspects that go beyond classical sciences...
Yes, because our approach encompasses sustainable water management; quality and pollution; water treatment and reuse; and finally, everything related to economic and institutional analysis. Our research groups are composed of personnel from different specialties to approach projects holistically, providing solutions to the problems demanded by society.
Can you give us any examples?
At the moment, we have 19 active projects. One of them evaluates the impact of climate change on the input of chemicals from agriculture and urban environments to identify adaptation and mitigation strategies. Another, for example, seeks to determine the health risks associated with emerging contaminants of concern.
What is meant by emerging contaminant of concern?
It's the term we use to refer to certain compounds identified in water at very low concentration levels. They can include pharmaceuticals, pesticides, detergents, cosmetics, plastic materials, etc.
Microplastics are one of the issues that raise social concern. Do you investigate them?
Certainly. We have several ongoing research projects in that direction. While one of them evaluates the use, environmental fate, and risks of plastics and microplastics in European agriculture, another study focuses on the interaction between micro- and nanoplastics, bacteria, and antibiotic-resistant genes. These are just two examples of the various projects we have in this line of research.
What other lines of research does IMDEA Agua have?
We research water reuse, particularly monitoring the industry's evolution towards zero emissions goals. Additionally, we focus on how wastewater can be utilized in the brewing industry for generating high-value-added compounds. Simultaneously, we study methods to reduce water usage in agricultural irrigation and how to use electroactive biofilters to treat contaminated water.
As mentioned earlier, you also focus on economic, social, and legal aspects related to water management and policy.
Yes, for example, our work supports the common implementation strategy of the Water Framework Directive for the 2021-2024 work program of the European Union, the updating of hydrological plans in the basins of Bulgaria, or our advice to the European Commission in the Water for the Green Deal program: implementation and development of EU marine and water policies.
Before IMDEA, were you already researching aspects related to water?
Yes, for over 30 years. In 1990, I participated in a research project for the Guadiana River Basin Authority that was significant: the Study of organic microcontaminants in aquifer 23. By the way, these organic microcontaminants are the same ones we now refer to as emerging contaminants of concern. Another study in 1992 related to groundwater in the Community of Madrid also had considerable impact. Subsequently, I have co-supervised several doctoral theses related to this issue.
Did it always interest you?
Especially towards the end of my studies in the Geology degree. In the fifth year, I focused a lot on the subjects of Surface Hydrology and Hydrogeology, and I decided to explore that world by doing my thesis on those issues. Although later on, I broadened my perspective because water is integral to all human activities and is found all over the planet. It's impossible to get bored studying the liquid element.
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