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APPLIED AQUATIC ECOLOGY

IMDEA Water Research Group

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APPLIED AQUATIC ECOLOGY

IMDEA Water Research Group

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appaqua_ecology

Applied Aquatic Ecology (AQUAE) at IMDEA Agua
Biotecnología para salvar nuestros ecosistemas acuáticos 🦠🐝🌊

Cleaning freshwater with CyaNOtox 💧🦠 Freshwater e

Cleaning freshwater with CyaNOtox 💧🦠

Freshwater ecosystems are increasingly threatened by cyanotoxins, toxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria. Among them, microcystins are especially concerning because they can affect water quality, aquatic biodiversity, and the safety of water resources. With climate change favoring cyanobacterial blooms, this problem is expected to become even more relevant in the coming years.

At CyaNOtox, we are exploring a nature-based solution: the use of a bacterium isolated from the environment with a high capacity to degrade microcystins.

As part of Carla’s PhD, we are studying how this bacterium behaves under different conditions. One key step is understanding whether it can grow attached to solid materials and form biofilm, a microbial layer that could be used in future biofilters. Using confocal microscopy, Carla has observed the formation of this biofilm on different substrates, bringing us closer to designing sustainable systems for removing cyanotoxins from water.

The project will also test how this bacterium performs when interacting with natural freshwater microbiomes, when attached to materials such as sand and anthracite, and later in more complex systems such as laboratory biofilters and freshwater mesocosms that simulate Mediterranean and boreal environments.

The ultimate goal of CyaNOtox is to evaluate whether this microcystin-degrading bacterium could become a useful tool for sustainable water treatment — from drinking water treatment plants to smaller aquatic systems such as wetlands, ponds, and aquaculture farms.

A small bacterium, a big challenge, and one step closer to cleaner freshwater.

#CyaNOtox #cyanobacteria #freshwater #microbiologia #research @imdeaagua

🌱 The Enigma of Biodegradability Biodegradable mu

🌱 The Enigma of Biodegradability

Biodegradable mulch films are promoted as a sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural plastics. But in real soils, “biodegradable” does not always mean fast or complete disappearance.

These materials can persist for years, fragment into microplastics, release additives, and interact with the soil microbiome. This is the paradox: a solution designed to reduce plastic pollution may still leave hidden residues in agroecosystems.

🦠 At IMDEA Water, within the Degraplas project, we are investigating the role of soil bacteria in this process. We isolate microorganisms able to grow in the presence of biodegradable mulch films and evaluate their hydrolytic activity and their potential to alter mulch polymers

Our research explores whether soil bacteria could be the key to completing the biodegradation of these materials and supporting future bioremediation strategies.

Because biodegradable does not always mean the job is finished.
Soil bacteria may help complete it.

#IMDEAWater #microbiologist #Microplastics #sciencecommunication #PlasticPollution @imdeaagua @soilwaterq

🌍 Happy World Environment Day. Climate change, po

🌍 Happy World Environment Day. Climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and water scarcity are placing increasing pressure on our ecosystems. Caring for the environment starts with gaining a better understanding of the issues affecting it.
At the Aquatic Ecology and Biotechnology group, we investigate various environmental challenges from an applied perspective, seeking to generate useful knowledge to protect water, soil and the living beings that depend on them.
🌱 We analyse how antibiotic resistance spreads indirectly in agricultural ecosystems, an increasingly significant environmental and health issue.
🔬 We study how microplastics can affect soil function, including its microbiome, as well as sustainable biotechnological applications for their bioremediation.
💧 We investigate cyanobacterial blooms and the presence of cyanotoxins in aquatic environments, as well as potential strategies for their monitoring and remediation.
🌊 We study the presence of geosmin, a compound that can alter the smell and taste of water, with the aim of developing sustainable strategies for its monitoring and bioremediation.
🏔️ We assess the impact of tyre particles and winter road grits on biological communities in high-mountain rivers, as well as potential mitigation strategies in high-mountain national parks.
Our aim is to help identify and reduce risks, working from a sustainability perspective and promoting solutions based on research, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
💧 Caring for water is caring for life.
🌱 Protecting the soil is protecting the future.
🔬 Understanding ecosystems means seeking solutions for a healthier planet.
🌎 Happy World Environment Day!!!🌍
#WorldEnvironmentDay #Environment #Sustainability #ClimateChange #waterislife
@imdeaagua @imdeainstitutes

Esta semana empezó el primer experimento de mesoco

Esta semana empezó el primer experimento de mesocosmos del #proyectoremote liderado por la Dra. Paula Redondo-Hasselerharm y la estudiante predoctoral Gabriela Ágreda López. Este experimento busca evaluar los efectos de lixiviados de partículas liberadas de las ruedas de los coches en comunidades acuáticas. ¡Éxitos!💯🎉

This week started the first mesocosm experiment of the #proyectoremote lead by Dr. Paula Redondo-Hasselerharm and the predoctoral student Gabriela Ágreda López. This experiment is going to evaluate the effects of leachates of tire wear particles in aquatic communities. All the best! 💯🎉

En las últimas dos semanas, la Dra Paula Redondo-H

En las últimas dos semanas, la Dra Paula Redondo-Hasselerharm presentó dos poster y dió una charla en el congreso #setac26 en Países Bajos y la estudiante predoctoral Gabriela Ágreda López presentó una charla en el congreso #aslosil26 en Canadá sobre el #proyectoremote ¡Que bien! 🎉💯🔥

In the last weeks, Dr. Paula Redondo-Hasselerharm presented 2 posters and gave a talk in the congress SETAC26 in The Netherlands and the predoctoral student Gabriela Ágreda López gave a talk in the congress ASLO-SIL2026 in Canadá about the #proyectoremote . Very well! 🎉💯🔥

¡Enhorabuena Dra Sara! 🎉 El viernes pasado, Sara M

¡Enhorabuena Dra Sara! 🎉
El viernes pasado, Sara Martínez Pérez presentó su tesis doctoral titulada "Environmental Fate and Risks of Microplastics in Soil and Freshwater Ecosystems" supervisada por la Dra. María Virtudes Martínez Hernández y el Dr Andreu Rico Artero. Es el fin de una gran esfuerzo y los resultados no podrían haber sido mejores. ¡Felicidades Dra!

Congratulations, Dr. Sara!

Last Friday, Sara Martínez Pérez defended her doctoral thesis titled “Environmental Fate and Risks of Microplastics in Soil and Freshwater Ecosystems,” supervised by Dr. María Virtudes Martínez Hernández and Dr. Andreu Rico Artero. It marks the end of a great effort, and the results could not have been better.

All the best!🎉

Es tiempo de #preparación. Los proyecto requieren

Es tiempo de #preparación. Los proyecto requieren mucho esfuerzo, desde la planeación, ejecución y culminación. No se trata solo de usar el ordenador. En @aquaeco_tec todos nuestros estudiantes predoc están preparando sus experimentos de verano. Continuará...

It’s time for #preparation. Projects require a lot of effort, from planning and execution to completion. It’s not just about using the computer. At @aquaeco_tec, all of our predoctoral students are preparing their summer experiments. To be continued...

#Science #Water #Conservation #environment #naturelovers #leguchas #soils #mesocosm #pᴏʟɪɴɪᴢᴀᴅᴏʀᴇs #PhD

¿Sabías que ese olor a tierra mojada después de la

¿Sabías que ese olor a tierra mojada después de la lluvia tiene nombre? 🌧️🌱
Se llama geosmina, un compuesto natural producido por microorganismos del suelo.
Pero aquí viene algo curioso 👀👇
La geosmina también puede estar presente en el agua 💧
Algunos microorganismos acuáticos la producen, y por eso a veces el agua potable puede tener un ligero sabor u olor “terroso”. Tranqui: no suele ser peligroso, pero sí muy perceptible para nuestro olfato 👃
Este compuesto conecta directamente con nuestras emociones: para much@s es sinónimo de lluvia, calma y naturaleza 🌿
La próxima vez que percibas ese aroma… recuerda que estás sintiendo la química en acción ✨
#Geosmina #Ciencia #Agua #Curiosidades #Química #Naturaleza #Lluvia

Did you know that the smell of wet earth after rain has a name? 🌧️🌱
It’s called geosmin, a natural compound produced by microorganisms in the soil.
But here’s something interesting 👀👇
Geosmin can also be present in water 💧
Some aquatic microorganisms produce it, which is why drinking water can sometimes have a slight earthy taste or smell. No worries: it’s usually not harmful, but it is very noticeable to our sense of smell 👃
This compound is closely linked to our emotions: for many, it means rain, calm, and nature 🌿
Next time you notice that scent… remember you’re experiencing chemistry in action ✨
#Geosmin #Science #Water #Curiosities #Chemistry #Nature #Rain

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