The doctoral theses of Miguel Ángel Marazuela Calvo and Sonia Valdivielso Mijangos, PhDs of the Groundwater and Hydrogeochemistry group, have been awarded for their excellence in the field of hydrogeology for the scientific contribution, knowledge advancement, and applicability.
Marazuela’s thesis, supervised by Enric Vázquez-Suñé (IDAEA) and Sebastià Olivella (UPC), received the Extraordinary Doctorate Award 2022 in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC).
The thesis, entitled Hydrogeology of salt flats: the salary de Atacama example, had the objective to advance the knowledge of the salt flats’ hydrogeological functioning to achieve sustainable management of its mineral resources and ecosystems.
“Salars are saline systems associated with arid and hyperarid climates where the water table is a few centimeters below ground due to strong evaporation. They are an important source of minerals and host some of the most unique ecosystems on the planet”, explain Miguel Ángel Marazuela, IDAEA PhD researcher.
Miguel Ángel Marazuela Calvo receiving the award during the Extraordinary Doctorate Award 2022 ceremony, organised by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Source: Enric Vázquez-Suñé.
Valdivielso’s thesis, also supervised by Enric Vázquez Suñé (IDAEA) together with Emilio Custodio (UPC), earned the 13th Alfons Bayó Award 2022 for young researchers in the field of hydrogeology and its applications from the Spanish Group of the International Association of Hydrogeology.
Her thesis, entitled Isotopic characterization of precipitation and its relationship with groundwater in the Central Andes, assessed the great demand for water in the region that is used for domestic consumption, intensive mining, and, in some areas, livestock and emerging eco-tourism.
“Understanding the hydrological and hydrogeological functioning of basins like the Salar the Atacama basin in Central Andes, is essential for the optimal and sustainable management of water resources”, declares Sonia Valdivielso about the her PhD thesis.
Sonia Valdivielso Mijangos with the Alfons Bayó Award 2022 for young researchers from the Spanish Group of the International Association of Hydrogeology. Source: Enric Vázquez-Suñé.
