The work framed within the Doctoral Program in Hydrology and Water Resources Management

Alba Arenas, researcher at the IMDEA Water Institute, has defended her doctoral thesis at the University of Alcalá.

The thesis, framed within the Doctoral Program in Hydrology and Water Resources Management, has the title "Multiple stressors on aquatic ecosystems under Mediterranean conditions" and has been directed by Dr. Andreu Rico, also a researcher at IMDEA Water. This doctor's degree is granted by the University of Alcalá and the Rey Juan Carlos University.

The main objective of the work carried out by Dr. Arenas was to contribute to a better understanding of the individual and combined effects of hydrological variability and pollution in aquatic ecosystems of Mediterranean regions. First, it was observed that there is little current knowledge about the problem, with few experimental studies and little variety of organisms studied.

After carrying out different field and experimental studies, the results showed that hydrological conditions influence the state of water quality and the responses of invertebrate communities in Mediterranean aquatic ecosystems, with an intensification of the effects of pollution on periods of drought or water shortage. On the other hand, zooplankton communities showed a high resilience after being exposed to the pesticide under conditions of high temperature and drought.