Dra. Mercedes García Functional Ecology & Biodiversity IPE-CSIC Av. Montañana 1005 50059 Zaragoza Spain			Tel: +34 976 716118 Fax: +34 976 716019 E-mail: mercedes@ipe.csic.es   Private homepage Blog
Research background Knowledge area: floodplain, lakes, wetlands restoration, waste water treatment, constructed wetlands, maturation ponds, high rate algae ponds, physical-chemical analysis, microbiological analysis. During her training in the Ecology Department and in the Environmental Institute, both attached to the University of León, (1994-2001), she collaborated on several technical reports, contracts and private or public investigation projects related to urban waste water treatment and application of lakes, and wetlands for purification purposes. Among these, could be pointed out the study of natural low cost waste water systems (constructed wetlands, maturation ponds and high rate algae ponds), assessment of vegetation and trophic state of small lakes and wetlands, efficiency evaluation of drainage sewage in León province and several technical support for constructed wetlands design, waste water effluents quantification and characterization and waste water treatment systems monitoring and control. In addition to these scientific activities, she took part in the Ecology department official teaching programme as well as in masters, courses and seminars. In 2005 she joined to Ecological Restoration Scientific Group. Since then, she has been collaborating in several scientific works related to the study of floodplains dynamics, revalorization and management of wetlands and lakes, and the use of wetlands in restoration and purification projects. She takes part in the annual Science promoting Events developed in the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology and was the coordinator of the First World Conference on Ecological Restoration held in Saragossa (September 2005). Analytical methods in which she has been trained are: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in biofilm and sludge sewage treatment plants samples Staining: DAPI, Acridine orange, malaquite green etc Optic microscopy Nomarski, epifluorescence, phase contrast, inverted microscopy Protozoa, rotifera and total bacteria counts Water samples physic-chemical analysis                  TSS, TDS, pH, conductivity, D.O., alkalinity, NO3-, NO2-, NH4+, PO43-, PT, NT, SO4-, cathions Sediment samples physic-chemical analysis                  Bulk density, pH, conductivity,  NO3-, NO2-, NH4+, PO43-, PT, NT, SO4-, cathions Bacteria indicators in water samples Membrane filtration, Place spread, most probably number Total and faecal coliforms, Streptococci, Staphylococci, heterotrophic bacteria, Bifidobacteria, C. perfringens.
Academic milestones   - 2001 - PhD in Biology, Ecology Department, University of León, (Spain) - 1999 –Health and Safety Technician- Jovellanos Maritime Safety (Spain) - 1997 - Extraordinary MSc award, University of León (Spain) - 1997 - Master Thesis, Ecology Department, University of León, (Spain) - 1988-1993 - MSc in Biology, University of León, (Spain)
Selected publications   - García M., Soto F. González J.M. y Bécares E. (2008) A comparison of bacterial removal efficiencies in constucted wetlands and algae-based systems. Ecological engineering , vol 32, nº3, pp: 238-243. ISSN: 0925-8574. (doi: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2007.11.012)   - Cabezas A.,Comín F.A., Gonález E., Gallardo B., García M., González M. (in press). Effects of hydrological connectivity on the substrate and understory structure of riparian wetlands in the middle ebro river (NE Spain): implications for restoration and management. Aquatic Science (in press). (doi: 10.1007/s00027-008-8059-4)   - Gallardo B., García M, Cabezas A., González E, Ciancarelli C., Gonález M, Comín F.A. (2008). Macroinvertebrate patterns along environmental gradients and hydrological connectivity withing a regulated river-floodplain. Aquatic Sciences, 70, 248-258. (doi: 10.1007/s00027-008-8024-2)   - Gallardo B., García M., Cabezas A., González E., Ciancarelli C., González M., Comín F.A.. (2007). First approach to understanding riparian wetlands in the middle ebro river floodplain (ne, spain): structural characteristics and functional dynamics. Limnética 26 (2): 373-386. ISSN: 0213-8409   - Moreno D. Pedrocchi C, Comín F.A. García M., Cabezas A. (2007). Creating wetlands for the improvement of water quality and landscape restoration in semi-arid zones degrades by intensive agricultural use. Ecological Engineering, vol 30, 2 pp: 103-111. ISSN: 0925-8574. (doi: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.07.001)   - Comín, F.A., Menéndez M., Pedrocchi C., Sorando R., Cabezas A., García M., Rosas V., Moreno D. González E., Gallardo B., Herrera J.A., Ciancarelli C. (2005). Wetland restoration: integrating scientific-technical, economic and social perspectives.  Ecological Restoration 23, No 3 2005, pp-182-186. ISSN: 1522-4740   - González, J. M., Bécares, E., Soto, F., García, M., López, G., Ansola, G. And Luis, E. (2001). Diurnal changes in two algae ponds for wastewater treatmen. Internat. Verch.Verein. Limnol. Vol: 27 pp: 3533-3536   - Soto, F., García, M., de Luis E., Bécares, E. (1999). Role of scirpus lacustris in bacterial and nutrient removal. Wat. Sci. Tech. Vol 40, Nº 3, pp. 241-247..   - García, M. & Bécares, E.  (1997). Bacterial removal in three pilot-scale wastewater treatment systems for rural areas. Wat. Sci. Tech. Vol. 35, nº 11-12, pp. 197-200.