As Principal Investigator for the University of Barcelona (UB) in the UPWATER project, Cristina Domènech plays a key role in tracing pollution sources, an essential step in groundwater research. Additionally, as Technical Coordinator, she manages meetings, deliverables, and reporting. In this Pioneer Portrait, she shares how UPWATER has expanded her expertise, from isotope analysis to European project coordination, and how continuous learning keeps her engaged.
University of Barcelona: project partner in UPWATER
The University of Barcelona (UB) contributes to UPWATER through two specialized research groups: the VIRCONT Group (Faculty of Biology) and the MAIMA Group (Faculty of Earth Sciences).
“The VIRCONT Group develops, optimizes, and implements field-scale methods for detecting and quantifying waterborne viruses in groundwater across the project’s case studies,” Cristina explains. “Within the UPWATER project, the MAiMA Group, to which I belong, focuses on three main areas:
- Developing methodologies to analyze the isotopic composition of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in water, and applying these techniques to laboratory experiments, pilot sites, and field-scale samples;
- Measuring the isotopic composition of inorganic compounds such as water molecules, sulfate, and nitrate in field samples;
- Collaborating in the definition of the conceptual models used for the source apportionment[1] calculations for different case study locations.”
Cristina’s role in UPWATER
“My scientific contribution has been in source apportionment,” Cristina explains. “This challenging and exciting area helps us understand the distribution of pollution sources as a foundation for more complex modelling approaches.”
In addition to her research, Cristina has taken on a leadership role as Technical Coordinator of UPWATER – her first experience in this capacity within a European project. “This dual role allows me to see how a European project functions from the inside. It has also expanded my professional network, connecting me with new colleagues, institutions, and organizations, enriching the collaborative aspect of my work.”
Hands-on learning in water research
UPWATER has provided Cristina with valuable experience in both scientific and project management aspects beyond her initial expertise. Before the project officially began, she contributed to writing the proposal and helped with preparatory steps. As Technical Coordinator, she now organizes meetings, manages deliverables, and oversees reporting periods.
“Many of these tasks were new to me,” she says. “This hands-on experience has given me a broad perspective of the entire project, which is valuable for my growth as a researcher. Scientifically, I have also had the opportunity to dive into methodologies for source apportionment – an area I had not explored before. This has been a rewarding learning experience, adding depth to my skill set. Continuous learning is what keeps me engaged and motivated!”
Innovation to enhance water quality
CECs from water
“One of MAiMA-UB’s key contributions to UPWATER is developing and applying Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) techniques to determine the unique isotope fingerprint of certain CECs in water samples from the study sites,” Cristina explains. “This is what we know as “isotopic composition”, which can help distinguish pollution sources (similar to a digital fingerprint) and provide direct evidence of CECs degradation processes. This approach is particularly challenging, as CSIA has not been widely tested for many CECs and requires overcoming technical difficulties, such as the low concentrations of CECs in the environment and the presence of other substances that can interfere with the analysis.
Additionally, MAIMA-UB analyses the isotopic composition of several inorganic compounds, such as nitrates or sulfates, in water samples from the case studies. While these analyses are routine for MAiMA-UB, they provide crucial insights into pollution sources and the geochemical conditions that influence CECs degradation.
The insights from all these isotopic analyses help define conceptual models of pollution sources and groundwater quality processes. Understanding the origin of pollutants and their potential degradation is essential for preventing groundwater contamination and developing effective mitigation strategies.”
A challenge: from lab real-world impact
A major challenge for MAiMA-UB is refining CSIA methodologies for CECs under real-world conditions. Cristina: “While effective in the lab, applying CSIA to environmental samples is complex due to low CECs concentrations and interference from other compounds. Thanks to the dedicated team members Clara Torrentó, Rafaela Nascimento, and Nil Caballero, as well as support from UB’s Technological Services (CCiT-UB), the group has made significant progress in overcoming the analytical challenges encountered.”
“Working through these challenges benefits both the project and my own development as a researcher,” Cristina reflects. “It strengthens my ability to lead complex scientific initiatives in the future.”
The goal: robust methodologies for a zero-pollution future for water
By the end of UPWATER, MAiMA-UB aims to establish reliable CSIA methodologies for as many CECs as possible. Another key goal is to apply these techniques to the real-world – to natural water samples – to further validate their usefulness for tracing contamination sources and degradation processes. Ultimately, these advancements will support better water quality management and contribute to a future with zero pollution.
[1] Source apportionment is the process of identifying and quantifying the different sources of a pollutant in the environment.