The objective of this line of research is the development and validation of good analytical methodology necessary for the determination of pollutants and their metabolites in environmental matrices. The matrices under study include samples of a varied nature, including water, sewage sludge, compost, agricultural soils and aquatic sediments (marine and river sediments) and various bioindicators of environmental pollution both terrestrial (small plants for human consumption) and marine (Holothuria tubulosa and Mediterranean mussels). Compounds that are the focus of current research include major components in the environment such as surfactants and emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics; bisphenol A and homologues; perfluorinated compounds, parabens, benzophenones and other personal care products of high industrial interest.

In addition to the development of analytical methodology, this line of research is concerned with the establishment of models of the environmental behaviour of these pollutants in the aforementioned matrices. The isotherms and adsorption-desorption kinetics of the different compounds in soil are studied, and the mobility in columns is studied, allowing prediction models to be obtained which are then scaled up to the Vega de Granada, to the experimental plot where part of the leaching studies of the compounds selected in this line of research will be carried out.
This line of research is carried out in collaboration with researchers from the University of Seville, a Microbiology group from the University of Granada, Chemical Engineering from the University of Coimbra and some leading companies.