Interests:
A) New Atomic Detectors
Development of new atomic sources for elemental analysis based on plasmas (microwave induced plasmas, glow discharges and inductively coupled plasmas). The direct bulk analysis of as many elements as possible in gases, liquid and solid samples, along with depth profile analysis of thin layers, is being actively pursued now with such sources, using both, optical emission and mass spectrometric analysers for detection.

B) Optical Molecular Sensors
Development of optical sensors (based on reflectance, fluorescence and phospho- rescence measurements), usually taking advantage of fiber optics technology, to construct and apply to real-life situations and problems in biology, medicine or environmental issues (e.g. optical sensors for O2, H+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, etc).
In this line we collaborate actively with groups of electronic engineering and physics of Oviedo's University in order to design, develop, construct and apply those optical sensors in simple instruments (developed in our own laboratory) to solve real-life problems of local industry and centers. This cross-fertilization has proved to be most useful and effective for the work in this particular analytical field.


C) Hybrid Techniques for Trace Element Speciation
It is well known by now that the particular chemical form (species) in which a given element is found will determine eventually this element's toxicity, biological activity, bioavailability or the environmental impact of a given toxic metal such as As, Hg, Cd or Pb. Analytical speciation of trace elements is so arising a huge interest in the most varied fields including Toxicology, Nutrition, Agriculture, Biology, Medicine, Food and Environmental Sciences.
Trace element speciation in real-life samples, to solve problems demanding speciation information, is a real analytical challenge. It seems clear today, that to meet this challenge the development of hybrid techniques specially suited to tackle each particular problem is needed.
Thus, the coupling of a powerful separation technique (HPLC, CGC or CE) with an atomic or specific detector (e.g. plasma sources) is probably one of the harder and more productive lines of the group. Just to give a flavour of the type of speciation works presently in progress, the following projects could be mentioned: Speciation of Methylmercury in water, sediment, fish and human hair (in colaboration with some groups of Brazil studying Hg contamination of Amazonia) Speciation of Aluminium in human serum and its application in aluminium detoxification in renal failure patients suffering long-term haemodialysis. Speciation of trace elements in human milk, comparing the speciation values for essential and toxic trace elements in human, cow and formula milks. Speciation of Selenium in human urine, trying to identify the selenoaminoacids resulting from selenium catabolism in humans. Speciation of Tin in rivers and sediments and development of new Isotopic Dilution based methods for accurate determination of the individual organotin compounds. Speciation of Cadmium and Cd-metallothioneins in waters, mussels and fish and its relationship with heavy metal pollution. Search for biomarkers of inorganic, organic and hormonal disrupting chemicals contamination.