My main research interests are on the field of environmental chemistry mainly in the fate and biogeochemistry of key pollutants in the environment.

During my Master I was focus on understanding the biogeochemical processes of several metals in salt marsh sediments considering the effect of bioturbation by halophyte plants and by invertebrates in this compartment. Additionally the use of stable lead isotopes also increase my knowledge concerning the origin/source and fate of this contaminant in aquatic environments. My motivation to expand my knowledge about metals biogeochemistry in estuarine systems, mostly in salt marsh areas, started here.

Throughout my Ph.D., I was focus on understanding the processes involved in mercury partitioning, transport and speciation in wetlands. Again my interest in estuarine systems was extended. In addition to all the knowledge acquired about the mercury cycle in estuarine systems during my PhD, further studies are needed to better understand the Hg reactivity in systems with different degrees of mercury contamination. Moreover, the hydrodynamics and particulate transport of mercury species are also factors into consideration and subsequently should be implemented to assess mercury transport and effects in in these environments with direct consequences to wildlife and ecosystem services.

Presently, I am a researcher in the area of environmental biogeochemistry. My main interests are focused on the fate and biogeochemical cycle of trace metals in aquatic ecosystems and in the last 9 years I was mainly dedicated to mercury cycle in these type of environments.

More recently I´m focused in developing my knowledge on mercury stable isotope techniques to evaluate the processes of mercury methylation/demethylation in estuarine ecosystems mainly in contaminated saltmarsh areas. Although I have also developed a substantial research program in the related field of trace- and rare earth- elements biogeochemistry in Portuguese aquatic ecosystems. Knowing their concentrations and distributions it will be possible to understand their impacts in the environment, namely their accumulation into Biota. Moreover, this knowledge also may serve to design and implement methodologies to recovery and reuse these metals to future uses, mainly in green technologies and in a wide range of industries. I have also studied the role of halophyte plants in the biogeochemistry of the REE in sediments from salt marsh areas. This information is useful for a broader characterization of the salt marsh systems.

Additionally, I also collaborate in biogeochemical studies in extreme environments, mostly in Polar Regions such as the Arctic and Antarctica.

Research interests by topics include:

Analytical Chemistry: In the development and implementation of analytical methodologies to quantify contaminants in environmental matrices, particularly in the development of in situ strategies for sampling and routine analyses. More recently I'm particularly interested in the use of stable isotopes (mainly of mercury) to access biogeochemical processes.

Contaminant Cycling in wetlands (salt-marshes): Despite this topic being related with the other below, I'm particularly interested in salt-marshes ecosystems. This type of wetlands experience constantly changing conditions and are influenced by a variety of chemical and physical variables that may affect trace elements biogeochemical processes. Moreover, the effect of salt-marsh plants in the sediment chemistry is particularly interesting.

Environmental Chemistry: To understand the biogeochemical processes involved in trace element speciation, partitioning and fate and their relation with other physico-chemical variables. I'm particularly interested in early diagenesis mechanisms and how they influence other trace elements chemistry in sediments.

Environmental Pollution and Ecotoxicology: To better understand the effect of pollution in living organisms particularly the physiological and ecotoxicological effects (behaviour, oxidative stress, etc).

Extreme Environments: To better understand the effect of climate change and extreme events scenarios in the degradation of a) Estuarine environments mostly in saltmarsh areas and b) Arctic and Antarctic permafrost soils and their impact in surrounding environments, concerning the release of contaminants and organic matter. And to extend my knowledge about possible extra-terrestrial life by searching for organic molecules that are representative of life forms (biomarkers) that may potentially exist in icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, using natural ice samples as a proxy of icy moons.

Polar Sciences: Despite this topic being related with the other below, my main interests are in contaminants cycle and ecotoxicity both in permafrost soils from Canadian subarctic thaw lake areas and also in Antarctic areas. I have also interest in the biogeochemical processes involved in the permafrost degradation and also in the bioavailability of trace elements. I´m also focused in trace elements contamination in Antarctic compartments to get an insight of the extent of human impact on the Antarctic environment.