Description
Lines of investigation:
- Agri-food and environmental field: Studies related to contamination by arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) in drinking water.
This line of research, directed by Dr. Marisol Vega, is derived from the high levels of arsenic found in the waters of Tierra de Pinares, which is why it tries to find the origin and ways of mobilization of this element. In the aforementioned area, more than 80 sampling points were selected in which twenty hydrochemical variables were determined, including, among others, pH, conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, Arsenic, Vanadium, major anions and cations, Iron and Manganese.
It has been found that the distribution of arsenic (As) varies widely, reaching a concentration of 385 micrograms per liter, when the maximum recommended value for drinking water is 10 micrograms per liter. This amount is also the maximum tolerated limit for lead (Pb) in water intended for human consumption, as established by the European Union.
The presence of Pb in the water of public supply networks is mainly due to its use in various plumbing materials (welding, galvanizing, stabilizers used in the manufacture of PVC). Other sources of this toxic element are ammunition used in hunting grounds (once on the ground, lead releases concentrations that are very dangerous for the ecosystem) and runoff from ditches near highways and highways with high traffic density ( highly polluted waters discharge directly into surrounding river channels or are infiltrated into aquifers).
The main objective of the study is to know the quality of the water resources of the Castilian-Leonese Community with regard to its lead levels, as well as to monitor the contamination by this metal of the water of the supply networks in order to guarantee that its concentration does not exceed the limit established by legislation, and avoid risks to the health of consumers.
To meet this objective, the study will be developed in two fundamental stages:
- Design, construction and commissioning of an automatic flow analysis system for the continuous measurement of lead in water
- Monitoring of lead in water from the supply network, surface water and groundwater of Castilla y León, in order to establish the situation of the Community with regard to the contamination of water by lead.
- Development of new analysis techniques.
Prof. Enrique Barrado, in collaboration with the Pachuca Chemical Research Center of the State University of Hidalgo, Mexico (Dr. José Antonio Rodríguez Ávila) and the Physical Chemistry Center of the University of Porto. Portugal (Dr. José Luis FC Lima), are developing various flow analysis techniques, among which a new modality of chromatography stands out, which they call magneto-chromatography, in which the magnetic field is the most important factor in the separation of the analytes (components of interest in the analysis of a sample).
With this technique they have succeeded in separating amino acids in wine samples, aspartame and its hydrolysis products in sugar-free beverages, and they are working with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Although, like any new technique, it poses many problems, in principle its possibilities are considerable.
- Electrochemistry of lanthanides in molten salts.
This line of research, directed by Dr. Yolanda Castrillejo, began with a collaboration with CIEMAT-ENRESA, and its origin is in the enormous interest that exists worldwide in the technological development of a new nuclear fuel cycle, called advanced cycle, which guarantees an improvement in sustainability, including a minimization of the waste generated as well as its radiotoxicity. In this sense, the recycling or destruction (transmutation) of actinides (Ans) -substances present in irradiated fuels- would reduce the volume of waste, its radiotoxic inventory, as well as its storage time, reducing at the same time the risk of nuclear proliferation.
However, before carrying out the transmutation, it is necessary to separate the actinides from other fission products, especially the lanthanides (Lns), since if they are not separated, the Lns would effectively absorb the neutrons, preventing them from being captured by the actinides. transmutable. Separation is not an easy task due to the amount of Lns in the fission products and the similarity in their chemical properties. However, pyrochemical separation schemes (high temperature processes) using molten salts and molten metals seem to be the most suitable for a homogeneous recycling of Ans.
In this Area, the group of Molten Salts of the UVa has been working on a Research Program in which two Stages-Processes are contemplated, corresponding to:
- selective extraction of Ans
- the extraction of Lns for the decontamination of the saline environment
His studies focus on the acquisition of basic data on light and heavy lanthanides that allow a conceptual design and an assessment of the reprocessing processes of nuclear waste.
