Microbian Biodiversity of the Water Cycle

BIOMICA

The research team of the Microbian Biodiversity of the Water Cycle Group mainly focuses its research activity on the study of pesticide toxicity, microbiology of biological systems, detection and survival of pathogenic microorganisms in water, and water chemistry. The excellent research carried out has resulted in the development of a technique that allows the use of chlorination as a method to control problems of bulking and foaming. This technique, along with specific chlorination protocols for bulking and/or foaming problems has been successfully applied in different WWTPs in the Valencian Community. In addition, we are also actively working on the development of techniques for the detection and quantification of pathogenic bacteria and protozoa in natural water, wastewater and water supply. Another field of research in which work has been done and in which interesting results have already been obtained is the monitoring of bacterial communities in conventional active sludge systems and in membrane bioreactors with new generation sequencing techniques (NGS).

As a result of this activity, more than 100 publications and/or presentations in scientific/technical journals have been published in journals, including in SCI and several national and international congresses. In addition, conferences have been held, participated and organized courses have been given, and participation in scientific committees have been done, as well as collaborations in research projects and agreements with groups of the Microbiology and Biochemistry Units of the Biotechnology Department.

One of the most widespread results has been the “BioControl EDARs” software developed some years ago. BioControl EDARs is a computer program for the identification of filamentous and metazoan bacteria, which allows the diagnosis of active sludge, and which has proved to be a useful self-training tool for technicians working in the WWTPs of the Valencian Community.

Research carried out by the staff of the Microbian Biodiversity of the Water Cycle Group is funded through grants from different public and international organizations (WHO), the European Union, MINECO (Spanish ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness), as well as through contracts signed with companies such as “Entidad de Saneamiento de Aguas Residuales de la Comunidad Valenciana”, GAMASER, IPROMA, URBASER, DAM, “Aguas de Valencia” with which it is usually collaborated.

Research lines of BIOMICA