Main research
. Monitoring estuarine water quality
. Estuarine primary productivity
. Biogeochemistry: nitrogen cycle including anammox
. Rhizosphere
. Estuarine early life stages of fish
. Watershed management
. Tropical water quality
. Iodine deficiency and nutritional status
. Cholera
Monitoring estuarine water quality
The research started on January 2005 in the River Douro estuary. Monthly sampling has been carry out since at one anchor station located near the river month. Water column physical (conductivity, salinity, temperature, turbidity), chemical (dissolved oxygen, inorganic carbon, pH, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate, silicate), biological (bacteria, viruses, fecal indicator, primary production) data are gathered.
Estuarine primary productivity
The research is carried out in the River Douro estuary since 2005 in the water, intertidal sediments and hard surfaces.
Water: Initially at an anchor station by the river mouth, monthly samples are now collected in the lower, middle and upper estuary areas.
Intertidal sediments and hard surfaces: the assessement has been performed in the lower estuary only.
Biogeochemistry: nitrogen cycle including anammox
Initially the research was performed in intertidal sediments and hard surfaces in the lower stretch of the River Douro estuary. Now, it has spread to other temperate estuaries in Northern Portugal as well as in Bangpakong estuary, Thailand. Nitrification, denitrification and N2O release, a powerful green-house gas, processes are screened. Research performed in the river Douro and river Lima estuaries with the aim to understand the contribution of salt-marsh plants for the removal of hydrocarbons and other pollutants from sediments as well as the activity of the microbial community. Estuarine early life stages of fish Research has been conducted in the River Lima estuary aiming the understanding of the dynamics of fish larvae and juveniles and the use of the estuary as a nursery for economic important species such as sardines and flat fishes. Particular attention is given to the use of fish juveniles as a potential indicator of environental quality. Using River Douro and Lima as models, particular attention has been given to the design of environmental management plans (i.e. estuarine and port authority), as well as the development of new tools for esturine quality assessment in the vein of the Water Framework Directive. The research is done in Thailand and Guinea-Bissau. In Thailand the water quality of the Bangpakong River watershed (13º.27N) as well as nitrification and denitrification In the water column and subtidal sediments has been carried out. In Guinea-Bissau, well water quality and its relation to disease including cholera has been evaluated. Iodine deficiency and nutritional status Iodine deficiency is a preventable disease that affects millions worldwide and is mainly due to the lack of adequate iodine intake. Children are particularly vulnerable and their mental and physical development can be compromised. The research is carried out in Guinea-Bissau and, simultaneously, the nutritional status of schoolchildren is assessed. Cholera continues to be an important disease worldwide. Places where cholera has been absent for decades have recently been plagued by cholera epidemics particularly in Africa. The bacterial agent – Vibrio cholerae is able to survive in different environments but, usually, water is the vehicle that promotes the dissemination of the disease. The appalling sanitary conditions and the lack of potable water in many parts of Africa creates an adequate environment for outbreaks.
Presently, cholera research work is carried in borewell water Guinea-Bissau (May-November 2008 epidemic), in river water S. Tomé and Principe, and in estauarine water in Portugal.