GIAAMA

The Research Group in Applied Agrochemistry and Environment (GIAAMA) at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) was formed in 1997 by faculty from the Department of Agrochemistry and Environment at the School of Engineering of Orihuela (EPSO). Currently, it includes five PhD-holding faculty, one postdoctoral researcher, and five predoctoral researchers associated with projects. Dr. Raúl Moral Herrero leads this group, which is recognized by both the UMH and the Generalitat Valenciana within the network of technological support for small and medium-sized enterprises (REVIV Network). Current lines of research focus mainly on: a) Characterization of environmental matrices; b) Minimization of environmental risks associated to waste management; c) Composting and treatment of solid and liquid wastes. This group's primary objective is to contribute to sustainable management of resources, especially from wastes organic in nature from agriculture, rural areas, and those generally found within the environment. Collectively, this group has researched extensively (60 scientific papers published in SCI journals from 1994-2007, three doctoral theses, 3 dissertations, and 20 final degree projects over the past five years) on agricultural use of organic waste and composting. Funding obtained by the group in reuse, recycling, and assessment of organic wastes originating within primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors is significant, with projects AGL2002-00296 AGR-FOR and CTM 2006-01363) standing out. It has participated in large research projects, including PROBIOGAS, endowed with 7 million euros, dedicated to the use of wastes through the generation of agro-industrial biogas. Group members also actively participate in scientific-technical committees, including the FAO ESCORENA Network on the Recycling of Agricultural, Municipal and Industrial Residues in Agriculture; RAMIRAN, as work group members of "Composting and Transformation of Wastes," and with the Spanish Network of Composting (as founding members, on its executive committee, and responsible for the area of teaching). Furthermore, they are also reviewers for various journals (Bioresource Technology, Waste Management, Journal of Soil and Sediment Contamination, Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, Water Research, Environmental Pollution, Applied Clay Science, etc.) and evaluators of national and international R&D projects. This group leads and coordinates the UMH Master's in Management, Treatment and Use of Organic Waste, which is composed by scientists from more than 15 educational and scientific institutions. Group contact information: Raul Moral Herrero (raul.moral@umh.es) School of Engineering of Orihuela Miguel Hernández University of Elche E-03312 Orihuela (Alicante), Spain www.umh.es Phone: +34966749652; +34966749651 Fax: +34966749711