The Environmental Research II Laboratory is dedicated to the development of innovative technologies for the treatment of water contaminated with emerging pollutants. The laboratory combines electrochemical processes, adsorption technologies and advanced analytical techniques to investigate sustainable solutions for pollutant removal, water reuse and environmental protection. Its facilities support research ranging from laboratory-scale process development to the evaluation of hybrid treatment technologies for current and future environmental challenges.

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) Removal from Water by Physical-Chemical and Electrochemical Technologies

Objectives: Development of sustainable technologies for the removal of microplastics and nanoplastics from water and wastewater. Evaluation of physical-chemical separation methods, electrochemical treatment processes and hybrid technologies to improve removal efficiency, reduce environmental impact and facilitate water reuse. Investigation of the interactions between plastic particles, microorganisms and reactive species generated during treatment.

Environmental Applications of Electrochemical Technologies

Objectives: Development of electrochemical and hybrid treatment technologies for the removal of emerging and priority contaminants from water. Research focuses on Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOPs), electrochemical disinfection, adsorption–electrochemical systems and sustainable treatment strategies for pharmaceuticals, disinfection by-products, PFAS and other persistent pollutants, promoting energy-efficient processes, circular economy principles and the implementation of advanced technologies in future wastewater treatment plants.

Advanced Oxidation & Water Treatment

Elemental Analysis

Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MP-AES) for rapid and accurate multi-element analysis of environmental samples, including water, soils and solid materials.

Microbiology & Ecotoxicology

Controlled sterile workspace for microbiological procedures, sample handling and preparation under aseptic conditions, minimizing contamination risks.

Temperature-controlled incubation of microbial cultures for environmental microbiology, disinfection studies and biological assays.

Rapid assessment of acute toxicity in environmental samples using the bioluminescent bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri, enabling ecotoxicological evaluation of water and wastewater.

Steam sterilization of laboratory materials, glassware, culture media and biological waste to ensure safe microbiological practices.

Physico-Chemical Characterization

Determination of water quality parameters and pollutant concentrations by UV-Visible spectrophotometry. Suitable for routine environmental analysis and colorimetric methods.

Automatic potentiometric titration system for accurate determination of chemical species in environmental samples, including alkalinity, acidity, chlorine species and other volumetric analyses.

Portable multiparameter analyzer for the determination of pH, electrical conductivity and other physicochemical properties of aqueous samples during laboratory and pilot-scale experiments.

Production of ultrapure water for analytical procedures, reagent preparation and sensitive laboratory applications requiring high-purity water.

Controlled thermal treatment for drying, conditioning and storage of samples under stable temperature conditions.