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Paqui Blánquez

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Bio

Dr. Paqui Blánquez Cano (PhD) is Associate Professor of the Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). She is Chemical Engineer (1999) and got PhD in Biotechnology Program (PhD extraordinary award, 2005). She did a Postdoctoral stay at Lund University (2006). She has developed her teaching activity firstly as Assistant Professor, later (2013) as Associate Professor in the degrees of Chemical Engineering, Technical Industrial Engineering, Environmental Sciences and Biotechnology. She has been Coordinator of the Chemical Engineering Grade at the Engineering School, UAB (2013-2019) and currently she is Deputy Director for Academic Action at the Engineering School, UAB (2019- now).

She develops her research activities in the Biodegradation of Industrial Contaminants and Waste Valorization Group, aimed to develop processes for the biodegradation of industrial pollutants in effluents, as well as, in soils. She is specialized in the field of Environmental Engineering

Current research interests

  • Development of industrial effluent treatment processes by ligninolytic fungi, such as vinasses, olive mill wastewaters, textile effluents, hospital effluents (Pharmaceuticals and PCPs), rejection of reverse osmosis (UV filters), rinse wastewaters (pesticides), etc.
  • Development of microalgae based processes for effluent purification, harvesting and recovery of algal biomass.
  • Elimination of emerging pollutants in WWTP sludge.
  • Soil bioremediation (biodegradation of halogenated solvents).
  • Bioelectrochemical systems for organohalide compounds degradation.

Publications (since 2012)

  • Wang G, Fernández-Verdejo D, Marco-Urrea E, Guisasola A (*), Blánquez P (2026). Long-term anaerobic conversion of lindane by electrochemically generated hydrogen. J. Hazard. Mater. 512, 142242. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142242. .
  • Soder-Walz JM, Salom D, Granados-Rigol E, Fernández-Verdejo D, Vicent T, Marco-Urrea E (*), Blanquez P (2025). Enhanced aerobic bioremediation of an aquifer heavily contaminated with a mixture of chlorobenzenes and hexachlorocyclohexanes at the Sardas landfill (Spain). J. Hazard. Mater. 484, 136717 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136717. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Blánquez P, Gorito AM, Sarrà M (*), Silva AMT (2024). Combining fungal bioremediation and ozonation for rinse wastewater treatment. Sci. Total Environ. 912, 169198 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169198. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Sarrà M (*), Blánquez P (2024). A review on the management of rinse wastewater in the agricultural sector. Chemosphere. 352, 141283 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141283. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Pla-Ferriol M, Martínez-Alonso M, Gaju N, Sarrà M (*), Blánquez P (2023). Fungal treatment of agricultural washing wastewater: Comparison between two operational strategies.. J. Environ. Manage. 325, 116595. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116595. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Tayar S, Blánquez P (*), Sarrà M (2023). Effect of dissolved oxygen on the degradation activity and consumption capacity of white-rot fungi, J. Water Proc. Eng., 104105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104105 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104105. .
  • Tucci, M, Fernández-Verdejo D, Resitano, M, Giacia P, Guisasola A, Blánquez P, Marco-Urrea E, Cruz Viggi C, Maturro B, Cognale S, Aulenta F (*) (2023). Toluene-driven anaerobic biodegradation of chloroform in a continuous-flow bioelectrochemical reactor. Chemosphere. 338, 139467. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139467. .
  • Avila R, Justo A, Carrero E, Crivillés E, Vicent T, Blánquez P (*) (2022). Water resource recovery coupling microalgae wastewater treatment and sludge co-digestion for bio-wastes valorisation at industrial pilot-scale. Bioresour. Technol. 343, 26080. DOI: http://10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126080. .
  • Avila R, García-Vara M, López-García E, Postigo C, López de Alda M (*), Vicent T, Blánquez P (*). (2022). Evaluation of an outdoor pilot-scale tubular photobioreactor for removal of selected pesticides from water. Sci. Total Environ. 804, 150040. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150040. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Pla-Ferriol M, Martínez-Alonso M, Gaju N, Blánquez P(*), Sarà M (2022). Fungal bioremediation of agricultural wastewater in a long-term treatment: biomass stabilization by immobilization strategy. J.Hazard. Mater. 439, 129614. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129614. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Pla-Ferriol M, Martínez-Alonso M, Gaju N, Blánquez P(*), Sarrà M (2022). Fungal bioremediation of agricultural wastewater in a long-term treatment: biomass stabilization by immobilization strategy. J.Hazard. Mater. 439, 129614. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129614. .
  • Boujelben R, Ellouze M, Tóran MJ, Blánquez P, Sayadi S (2022). Mycoremediation of Tunisian tannery wastewater under non‑sterile conditions using Trametes versicolor: live and dead biomasses. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery . DOI: http://10.1007/s13399-022-02328-0. .
  • Fernández-Verdejo D, Cortés P, Guisasola A, Blánquez P(*), Marco-Urrea E (2022). Bioelectrochemically-assisted degradation of chloroform by a co-culture of Dehalobacter and Dehalobacterium. Environ. Sci. Ecotechnol. 12, 100199. DOI: http://0.1016/j.ese.2022.100199. .
  • Hom-Diaz A, Jaén-Gil A, Rodríguez-Mozaz S, Barceló D, Vicent T, Blánquez P (*) (2022). Insights into removal of antibiotics by selected microalgae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella sorokiniana, Dunaliella tertiolecta and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata). Algal Res. 61, 102560. DOI: http://0.1016/j.algal.2021.102560. .
  • Avila R, Carrero E, Vicent T, Blánquez P (*) (2021). Integration of enzymatic pretreatment and sludge co-digestion in biogasproduction from microalgae. Waste Manage. 124, 254-263. DOI: http://10.1016/j.wasman.2021.01.042. Repository.
  • Avila R, Peris A, Eljarrat E, Vicent T, Blánquez P (*) (2021). Biodegradation of hydrophobic pesticides by microalgae: Transformation products and impact on algae biochemical methane potential. Sci. Total Environ. 754,142114 DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142114. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Sarrà M, Blánquez P (*) (2021). Pesticide bioremediation by Trametes versicolor: Application in a fixed-bed reactor, sorption contribution and bioregeneration. Sci.Total Environ. 794, 148386 DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148386. .
  • Fernández-Verdejo D, Cortés P, Blánquez P, Marco-Urrea E (*), Guisasola A (2021). Enhanced dechlorination of 1,2-dichloropropane to propene in a bioelectrochemical system mediated by Dehalogenimonas. J.Hazard Mater. 416, 126234. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.12623. .
  • AboliGhasemabadi M, Mbarek WB, Cerrillo-Gil A, Roca-Bisbe H, Casabella O, Blánquez P, Pineda E (*), Escoda Ll, Suñol JJ (2020). Azo-dye degradation by Mn–Al powders. J. Environ. Manage. 258, 110012. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.110012. .
  • Avila R, Carrero E, Crivillés E, Mercader M, Vicent T, Blánquez P(*) (2020). Effects of low temperature thermal pretreatments in solubility and co-digestion of waste activated sludge and microalgae mixtures. Algal Res. 50,101965. DOI: http://10.1016/j.algal.2020.101965. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Torán J, Caminal G, Blánquez P (*), Sarrà M (2020). The removal of diuron from agricultural wastewaters by Trametes versicolor immobilized on pinewood in simple channel reactors. Science of the Total Environment 728, 1–10. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138414. .
  • Fernández-Verdejo D, Sulonen M, Pérez-Trujillo M, Marco-Urrea E, Guisasola A (*), Blánquez P (2020). Electrochemical dehalogenation of dibromomethane and 1,2-dibromoethane to non-toxic products using a carbonfiberbrush electrode. J Chem Technol Biotechnol. 96, 335–340. DOI: http://10.1002/jctb.6542. .
  • Hu K, Peris A, Torán J, Eljarrat E, Sarrà M, Blánquez P, Caminal G (*) (2020) Exploring the degradation capability of Trametes versicolor on selected hydrophobic pesticides through setting sights simultaneously on culture broth and biological matrix. Chemosphere. 250, 126293 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126293%20. .
  • Hu K, Torán MJ, López-García E, Barbieri MV, Postigo C, López de Alda M, Caminal G, Sarrà M(*), Blánquez P (2020). Fungal bioremediation of diuron-contaminated waters: Evaluation of its degradation and the effect of amendable factors on its removal in a trickle-bed reactor under non-sterile conditions. Sci. Total Environ. 743, 140628. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140628. Repository.
  • Markeb AA, Llimós-Turet J, Ferrer I, Blánquez P, Alonso A, Sánchez, Moral-Vico J (*), Font X (2019). The use of magnetic iron oxide based nanoparticles to improve microalgae harvesting in real wastewater. Water Res. 159, 490-500. DOI: http://0.1016/j.watres.2019.05.023. .
  • Jaén-Gil A, Hom-Diaz A, Llorca M, Vicent T, Blánquez P, Barceló D, Rodríguez-Mozaz S (*) (2018). An automated on-line turbulent flow liquid-chromatography technology coupled to a high resolution mass spectrometer LTQ-Orbitrap for suspect screening of antibiotic transformation products during microalgae wastewater treatment. J. Chromatography A,1568, 57–68. DOI: http://0.1016/j.chroma.2018.06.027. .
  • Llorens-Blanch G, Parladé E, Martínez-Alonso M, Gaju N, Caminal G, Blánquez P(*) (2018) A comparison between biostimulation and bioaugmentation in a solid treatment of anaerobic sludge : drug contentent and microbial evaluation. Waste Manage. 72, 206-217. DOI: http://10.1016/j.wasman.2017.10.0480956. Repository.
  • Parladé O, Hom-Diaz A, Blánquez P (*), Martínez-Alonso M, Vicent T, Gaju N (2018). Effect of cultivation conditions on β-estradiol removal in laboratory and pilot-plant photobioreactors by an algal-bacterial consortium treating urban wastewater. Water Res. 137, 86-96. DOI: http://10.1016/j.watres.2018.02.060. Repository.
  • Hom-Diaz A, Jaén-Gil A, Bello-Laserna I, Rodríguez-Mozaz S, Vicent T, Barceló D, Blánquez P (*) (2017). Performance of a microalgal photobioreactor treating toilet wastewater: Pharmaceutically active compound removal and biomass harvesting. Sci. Total Environ. 592, 1–11. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.224. .
  • Hom-Diaz A, Norvill ZN, Blánquez P, Vicent T, Guieysse B (*) (2017). Ciprofloxacin removal during secondary domestic wastewater treatment in high rate algal ponds. Chemosphere 180, 33-41. DOI: http://0.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.125. .
  • Torán J, Blánquez P, Caminal G(*) (2017).Comparison between several reactors with Trametes versicolor immobilized on lignocellulosic support for the continuous treatments of hospital wastewater.Bioresource Technol. 243, 966–974. DOI: http://10.1016/j.biortech.2017.07.0550960. Repository.
  • Hom-Diaz A (*), Baldi F, Blánquez P, Lombardi L, Martín-González L, Vicent T (2016). Exhausted fungal biomass as a feedstock for increasing methane production during the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes. Waste Biomass Valor, 7, 307–315. DOI: http://10.1007/s12649-015-9450-8. .
  • Hom-Diaz A, Passos F, Ferrer I, Vicent T, Blánquez P(*) (2016). Enzymatic pretreatment of microalgae using fungal broth from Trametes versicolor and commercial laccase for improved biogas production. Algal Res. 19, 184–188. DOI: http://10.1016/j.algal.2016.08.006. .
  • Passos F, Hom-Diaz A, Blánquez P, Vicent T, Ferrer I (*) (2016). Improving biogas production from microalgae by enzymatic pretreatment. Bioresour Technol. 199, 347–351. DOI: http://10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.084. .
  • Zahmatkesh M (*), Spanjers H, Toran MJ, Blánquez P, van Lier JB (2016). Bioremoval of humic acid from water by white rot fungi: exploring the removal mechanisms. AMB Expr 6:118 . DOI: http://10.1186/s13568-016-0293-x. .
  • Hom-Diaz A, Llorca M, Rodríguez-Mozaz S, Vicent T, Barceló D, Blánquez P(*) (2015). Microalgae cultivation on wastewater digestate:b-estradiol and 17a-ethynylestradiol degradation and transformation products identification. J. Environ. Manage. 155, 106-113. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.03.003. .
  • Llorens-Blanch G (*), Badia-Fabregat M, Lucas D, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Barceló D, Pennanen T, Caminal G, Blánquez P (2015). Degradation of pharmaceuticals from membrane biological reactor sludge with Trametes versicolor. Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts 17,429. DOI: http://10.1039/c4em00579a. .
  • Baccar R (*), Blánquez P, Bouzida J, Fekic M, Sarrà M. (2013). Modeling of adsorption isotherms and kinetics of a tannery dye onto an activatedcarbon prepared from an agricultural by-product. Fuel Process. Technol. 106, 408–415. DOI: http://10.1016/j.fuproc.2012.09.006. .
  • Casas N , Blánquez P (*), Vicent T, Sarrà M (2013). Laccase production by Trametes versicolor under limited-growth conditions using dyes as inducers. Environ. Technol. 34:1, 113-119 DOI: http://10.1080/09593330.2012.683820. .
  • Casas N, Blánquez P (*), Vicent T, Sarrà M (2013). Mathematical model for dye decoloration and laccase production by Trametes versicolor in fluidized bioreactor. Biochem. Eng. J. 80, 45–52 DOI: http://10.1016/j.bej.2013.09.010. .
  • Hjaila K, Baccar R, Sarrà M (*), Gasol CM, Blánquez P (2013). Environmental impact associated with activated carbon preparation from olive-waste cake via life cycle assessment. J.Environ. Manage. 130, 242-247. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jenviman.2013.08.051. .
  • Margot J (*), Bennati-Granier C, Maillard J, Blánquez P, Barry DA, Holliger C (2013). Bacterial versus fungal laccase: potential for micropollutant degradation. MBExpress ,3:63. DOI: http://10.1186/2191-0855-3-63. .
  • Morais SA(*), Delerue-Matos C, Gabarrell X, Blánquez P (2013). Multimedia fate modeling and comparative impact on fresh water ecosystems of pharmaceuticals from biosolids-amended soils. Chemosphere 93, 252–262. DOI: http://10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.04.074. .
  • Baccar R, Sarrà M, Bouzida J, Fekic M, Blánquez P (*) (2012). Removal of pharmaceutical compounds by activated carbon prepared from agricultural by-product. Chem. Eng. J. 211-212, 310–317. DOI: http://10.1016/j.cej.2012.09.099. .
  • Gabarrell X (*), Font M, Vicent T, Caminal G, Sarrà M, Blánquez P (2012). A comparative life cycle assessment of two treatment technologies for the Grey Lanaset G textile dye: biodegradation by Trametes versicolor and granular activated carbon adsorption. Int J Life Cycle Assess 17, 613-624 DOI: http://10.1007/s11367-012-0385-z. .
  • Gago-Ferrero P, Badia-Fabregat M, Olivares M, Piña B, Blánquez P, Vicent T, Caminal G, Díaz-Cruz MS (*), Barceló D (2012). Evaluation of fungal- and photo-degradation as potential treatments for the removalof sunscreens BP3 and BP1. Sci. Total Environ. 427–428, 355–363. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.03.089. .
  • Rodríguez-Rodríguez CE (*), García-Galán MJ, Blánquez P, Díaz-Cruz MS, Barceló D, Caminal G, Vicent T (2012). Continuous degradation of a mixture of sulfonamides by Trametes versicolor and identification of metabolites from sulfapyridine and sulfathiazole. J. Hazard. Mater. 213–214, 347–354. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.02.008. .