2020 Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
2020-Present Honorary Professor at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Dept of Chemical Physics and Material Sciences)
2019-Present Honorary Associate professor at UCL (Dept of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering)
2016 Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Kingston University London
2002-2009: European PhD. Analytical Chemistry University of Barcelona/ Lund University
2001-2003: Diploma of Advanced Studies (MPhil equivalent), Analytical Chemistry, University of Barcelona
2001-2002: MSc. Analytical Chemistry, University of Barcelona
2000-2001: CAP: Certificate of Pedagogical Aptitude (Equivalent to PGCert), Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya.
1996-2001: Licenciatura en Quimica (MChem Hons in Chemistry) – University of Barcelona
RESEARCH INTERESTS
analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, environmental remediation, material science, water treatment, nanotechnology, carbon
146
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Transport and retention of laundry microplastic fibres in slow sand filtration systems Fan Gao, Rosa Busquets, Luiza C. Campos Scientific Reports, 2026 This study investigates the transport and retention of microplastic fibres (MFs) in slow sand filtration (SSF) systems using coarse and fine sand media under varying flow conditions. SSF is one of the most energy-efficient and cost-effective tertiary treatment methods. This study examined the performance of SSF for treating washing machine effluents heavily contaminated with MFs, such as those from washing machine discharge. Fine sand filters (with effective grain size of 0.2 mm) consistently retained significantly fewer MFs in the effluent than coarse sand filters (with an effective grain size of 0.6 mm), by a factor of 1.3 ± 0.2, with retention occurring predominantly within the upper 0–10 cm of the filter bed, highlighting the dominant role of the surface layer in MF capture. Between 83.9% and 93.6% of MFs in the filter effluents were 10–50 μm in length, with 10–20 μm fibres forming the dominant fraction across filtration rates of 5, 10, and 20 cm/h. Increasing filtration rate promoted deeper MF penetration into the filter bed, reduced overall retention, and increased MF breakthrough. Dissolved organic carbon removal was slightly higher in fine sand filters than in coarse sand filters, and effluent pH increased modestly with longer retention times. The highest MF removal efficiencies were achieved at the lowest filtration rate (5 cm/h), where removal reached 92.0% and 95.0% for coarse and fine sand, respectively. These trends are consistent with a mechanistic interpretation in which MF transport and retention are governed by interception, straining, and limited diffusion within the porous media, rather than simple size exclusion. SSF therefore represents a promising low-energy treatment option for mitigating MF release from wastewater effluents, particularly for fibres larger than 10 μm.
Hybrid Wastewater Treatment: Efficiency and Challenges in Microplastic Removal Shaima Iskandarani, Luiza C. Campos, Pascal E. Saikaly, Rosa Busquets ACS Es and T Water, 2026 Hybrid treatment trains, integrating complementary physical, biological, and chemical barriers, deliver more robust control of microplastics (MPs) in wastewater treatment plants than conventional single-unit operations. However, fibers and small fragments (<50–100 μm) often persist. Across laboratory, pilot, and full-scale evidence, conventional baselines are size- and site-dependent: rapid sand filtration achieves ∼75% removal at full scale for coarse classes; dissolved air flotation ∼95% for >20 μm; disc filtration ∼98%; and conventional activated sludge ∼64–98%. These removals are reported on a count basis above study-specific lower size cutoffs (typically ≥ 20 μm). However, hybrid treatments report removals ∼100%, though values vary with detection limits and MP size classes analyzed. Membrane-centric trains (e.g., membrane bioreactor with ultrafiltration) reach nearly complete removal. Chemical–physical hybrid treatments (coagulation–flocculation with membranes; electrocoagulation–electroflotation plus ultrafiltration) can reach ∼100% removal. Ozonation coupled with granular activated carbon sustains ∼92% removal at pilot scale and up to 98% at full scale. Bubble-enhanced flotation exceeds 98% removal for 20–100 μm. Adsorbent-assisted hybrids capture ∼99% of smaller MPs. Despite these gains, fibers and <100 μm MPs remain the dominant challenge. This review consolidates laboratory, pilot, and full-scale evidence to guide influent-tuned hybrid designs that deliver robust MP removal approaching complete removal.
Pesticide contamination in apicultural products: An updated and comprehensive review of analytical methods, occurrence, and safety concerns Adrián Fuente-Ballesteros, Maj Smerkol, Anton Gradišek, Artur Sarmento, Julie Fourrier, Mila Arapcheska, Zehra Hajrulai-Musliu, Filip Franeta, Željko Milovac, Sonja Gvozdenac, Nesrin İçli, Harun Kurtagić, Ina Pasho, Elena Zioga, Beatriz I. Vazquez, Damir Pavliček, Rosa Busquets, Jelena Ciric, Nurinisa Esenbuga, Miriam Cavaco, Helena Rodrigues, Rosa Ferreira, Marta Leite, Zane Lace, Ana M. Ares, José Bernal, Iveta Pugajeva Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 2026
Assessment of Phenolic and Indolic Compounds Removal from Aqueous Media Using Lignocellulose-Derived Surface-Modified Nanoporous Carbon Adsorbents: A Comparative Study Jakpar Jandosov, Dmitriy Chenchik, Alzhan Baimenov, Joaquin Silvestre-Albero, Maria Bernardo, Seitkhan Azat, Yerlan Doszhanov, Aitugan Sabitov, Rosa Busquets, Carol Howell, Sergey Mikhalovsky, Zulkhair Mansurov International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026 P-cresol, indole and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) are catabolites of amino acids, formed by the gut microbiome. Most of these aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives are excreted by the colon before reentering the body to form “exogenous” protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs), which aggravate chronic kidney disease (CKD). Removal efficiencies of these PBUT precursors from model phosphate-buffered saline solutions by three different surface-modified nanoporous carbon adsorbents (PCs) were studied. PCs were produced by physicochemical and/or acid base activation of carbonized rice husk waste. Removal rates achieved values of 32–96% within a 3 h contact time. High micro/mesoporosity and surface chemistry of the N- and P-doped biochars were established by N2 adsorption studies, SEM/EDS analysis, XPS and FT-IR-spectroscopy. The ammoxidized PC-N1 had the highest adsorption capacity (1.97 mmol/g for IAA, 2.43 mmol/g for p-cresol and 2.42 mmol/g for indole), followed by “urea-nitrified” PC-N2, whilst the phosphorylated PC-P demonstrated the lowest adsorption capacity for these solutes. These results do not correlate with the total pore volume values for PC-N2 (0.91 cm3/g) < PC-P (1.56 cm3/g) < PC-N1 (1.84 cm3/g), suggesting that other parameters such as the micropore volume (PC-N1 > PC-N2 > PC-P) and the interaction of surface chemical functional groups with the solutes play key roles in the adsorption mechanism. N-doped PC-N1 and PC-N2 have basic functional groups with higher affinity with acidic IAA and p-cresol. The ion-exchange mechanism of phenolic and indolic compound chemisorption by nanoporous carbon adsorbents, modified with surface N- and P-containing functional groups, has been proposed.
Characterization of nanoplastics and small-sized microplastics in sewage treatment Shaima Iskandarani, Sarvajith Manjunath, Rosa Busquets, Lorenzo Raeli, Pascal E. Saikaly, Luiza C. Campos Scientific Reports, 2025 The presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in sewage treatment plants (STPs) remains a critical yet underexplored environmental issue. Here, we present a novel investigation into the occurrence, recovery, and characterization of nanoplastics and small-size microplastics (50–2500 nm) in raw and treated sewage effluent from a full-scale STP (treating 4000 m3/day) operating with activated sludge. To our knowledge, this research includes the first confirmed assessment of nanoplastics in such a system and applies nano-flow cytometry to wastewater analysis for the first time globally. It is also the first study addressing micro- and nanoplastics in wastewater in Saudi Arabia, advancing plastic particle analysis in complex matrices. Particles in the 50– < 100 nm range accounted for 44% of total particles detected in STP effluents. Overall, plastic particles accounted for 16% (± 10%) of total particles within 50-2500 nm in raw sewage, increasing to 41% (± 13%) in treated effluent. This increase highlights the inefficiency of conventional treatment in fully removing plastic particles and suggests preferential removal based on size or density. The composition of a representative selection of particles was characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray. Identified polymers included polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide, and polypropylene. These findings provide important insights into treated sewage composition, particularly for reuse in arid regions.
Correction to: Environmental consequences of interacting effects of changes in stratospheric ozone, ultraviolet radiation, and climate: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2024 (Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, (2025), 24, 3, (357-392), 10.1007/s43630-025-00687-x) Patrick J. Neale, Samuel Hylander, Anastazia T. Banaszak, Donat-P. Häder, Kevin C. Rose, Davide Vione, Sten-Åke Wängberg, Marcel A. K. Jansen, Rosa Busquets, Mads P. Sulbæk Andersen, Sasha Madronich, Mark L. Hanson, Tamara Schikowski, Keith R. Solomon, Barbara Sulzberger, Timothy J. Wallington, Anu M. Heikkilä, Krishna K. Pandey, Anthony L. Andrady, Laura S. Bruckman, Christopher C. White, Liping Zhu, Germar H. Bernhard, Alkiviadis Bais, Pieter J. Aucamp, Gabriel Chiodo, Raúl R. Cordero, Irina Petropavlovskikh, Rachel E. Neale, Catherine M. Olsen, Simon Hales, Aparna Lal, Gareth Lingham, Lesley E. Rhodes, Antony R. Young, T. Matthew Robson, Sharon A. Robinson, Paul W. Barnes, Janet F. Bornman, Anna B. Harper, Hanna Lee, Roy Mackenzie Calderón, Rachele Ossola, Nigel D. Paul, Laura E. Revell, Qing-Wei Wang, Richard G. Zepp Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2025
Environmental consequences of interacting effects of changes in stratospheric ozone, ultraviolet radiation, and climate: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2024 Patrick J. Neale, Samuel Hylander, Anastazia T. Banaszak, Donat-P. Häder, Kevin C. Rose, Davide Vione, Sten-Åke Wängberg, Marcel A. K. Jansen, Rosa Busquets, Mads P. Sulbæk Andersen, Sasha Madronich, Mark L. Hanson, Tamara Schikowski, Keith R. Solomon, Barbara Sulzberger, Timothy J. Wallington, Anu M. Heikkilä, Krishna K. Pandey, Anthony L. Andrady, Laura S. Bruckman, Christopher C. White, Liping Zhu, Germar H. Bernhard, Alkiviadis Bais, Pieter J. Aucamp, Gabriel Chiodo, Raúl R. Cordero, Irina Petropavlovskikh, Rachel E. Neale, Catherine M. Olsen, Simon Hales, Aparna Lal, Gareth Lingham, Lesley E. Rhodes, Antony R. Young, T. Matthew Robson, Sharon A. Robinson, Paul W. Barnes, Janet F. Bornman, Anna B. Harper, Hanna Lee, Roy Mackenzie Calderón, Rachele Ossola, Nigel D. Paul, Laura E. Revell, Qing-Wei Wang, Richard G. Zepp Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2025
Continuing benefits of the Montreal Protocol and protection of the stratospheric ozone layer for human health and the environment S. Madronich, G. H. Bernhard, P. J. Neale, A. Heikkilä, M. P. Sulbæk Andersen, A. L. Andrady, P. J. Aucamp, A. F. Bais, A. T. Banaszak, P. J. Barnes, J. F. Bornman, L. S. Bruckman, R. Busquets, G. Chiodo, D.-P. Häder, M. L. Hanson, S. Hylander, M. A. K. Jansen, G. Lingham, R. M. Lucas, R. Mackenzie Calderon, C. Olsen, R. Ossola, K. K. Pandey, I. Petropavlovskikh, L. E. Revell, L. E. Rhodes, S. A. Robinson, T. M. Robson, K. C. Rose, T. Schikowski, K. R. Solomon, B. Sulzberger, T. J. Wallington, Q.-W. Wang, S.-Å. Wängberg, C. C. White, S. R. Wilson, L. Zhu, R. E. Neale Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2024
Plastics in the environment in the context of UV radiation, climate change and the Montreal Protocol: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2023 Marcel A. K. Jansen, Anthony L. Andrady, Janet F. Bornman, Pieter J. Aucamp, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Anastazia T. Banaszak, Paul W. Barnes, Germar H. Bernhard, Laura S. Bruckman, Rosa Busquets, Donat-P. Häder, Mark L. Hanson, Anu M. Heikkilä, Samuel Hylander, Robyn M. Lucas, Roy Mackenzie, Sasha Madronich, Patrick J. Neale, Rachel E. Neale, Catherine M. Olsen, Rachele Ossola, Krishna K. Pandey, Irina Petropavlovskikh, Laura E. Revell, Sharon A. Robinson, T. Matthew Robson, Kevin C. Rose, Keith R. Solomon, Mads P. Sulbæk Andersen, Barbara Sulzberger, Timothy J. Wallington, Qing-Wei Wang, Sten-Åke Wängberg, Christopher C. White, Antony R. Young, Richard G. Zepp, Liping Zhu Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2024
Environmental plastics in the context of UV radiation, climate change, and the Montreal Protocol Marcel A. K. Jansen, Anthony L. Andrady, Paul W. Barnes, Rosa Busquets, Laura E. Revell, Janet F. Bornman, Pieter J. Aucamp, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Anastazia T. Banaszak, Germar H. Bernhard, Laura S. Bruckman, Donat‐P. Häder, Mark L. Hanson, Anu M. Heikkilä, Samuel Hylander, Robyn M. Lucas, Roy Mackenzie, Sasha Madronich, Patrick J. Neale, Rachel E. Neale, Catherine M. Olsen, Rachele Ossola, Krishna K. Pandey, Irina Petropavlovskikh, Sharon A. Robinson, T. Matthew Robson, Kevin C. Rose, Keith R. Solomon, Mads P. Sulbæk Andersen, Barbara Sulzberger, Timothy J. Wallington, Qing‐Wei Wang, Sten‐Åke Wängberg, Christopher C. White, Antony R. Young, Richard G. Zepp, Liping Zhu Global Change Biology, 2024
Nutritional profiling and sensory attributes of sesame seed-enriched bars Zainab Irshad, Muhammad Aamir, Noor Akram, Aasma Asghar, Farhan Saeed, Aftab Ahmed, Muhammad Afzaal, Huda Ateeq, Yasir Abbas Shah, Zargham Faisal, Mohammad Rizwan Khan, Rosa Busquets, Degnet Teferi Asres International Journal of Food Properties, 2023
Nutritional and functional characterization of date pulp-fortified cookies Hafsa Tahir, Muhammad Aamir, Aftab Ahmed, Muhammad Afzaal, Farhan Saeed, Aasma Asghar, Mahwash Aziz, Mariyam Shahid, Huda Ateeq, Fakhar Islam, Amara Rasheed, Zainab Al-Hawraa Riyad Muedii, Maleeha Fatima, Yasir Abbas Shah, Mohammad Rizwan Khan, Rosa Busquets, Mohd Asif Shah Cogent Food and Agriculture, 2023
Doping and theory: General discussion Philip Davies, Irena Kratochvílová, Chris Ewels, Tariq Aqeel, Nazario Martin, Vladimir Fal'ko, Toshiaki Enoki, Antonio Rodriguez-Fortea, Katsumi Kaneko, Ayse Turak, Carlo Buono, Valeri Kovalenko, Pulickel Ajayan, Malcolm Heggie, Varsha Khare, Andreas Hirsch, Thurid Gspann, Alan Windle, Pedro Costa, Milo Shaffer, Juan Casado, Mary Chan-Park, Rosa Busquets Faraday Discussions, 2014
UHPLC–MS(/MS) analysis of pesticides in food Mu. Naushad, Mohammad Rizwan Khan Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Evaluation and Applications in Food Analysis, 2014
Driving forces of conformational changes in single-layer graphene oxide Raymond L. D. Whitby, Vladimir M. Gun’ko, Alina Korobeinyk, Rosa Busquets, Andrew B. Cundy, Krisztina László, Jadwiga Skubiszewska-Zięba, Roman Leboda, Etelka Tombácz, Ildiko Y. Toth, Krisztina Kovacs, Sergey V. Mikhalovsky ACS Nano, 2012
Macroporous highly permeable composites with nanoparticles Eccm 2012 Composites at Venice Proceedings of the 15th European Conference on Composite Materials, 2012
PH-driven physicochemical conformational changes of single-layer graphene oxide Raymond L. D. Whitby, Alina Korobeinyk, Vladimir M. Gun'ko, Rosa Busquets, Andrew B. Cundy, Krisztina László, Jadwiga Skubiszewska-Zięba, Roman Leboda, Etelka Tombacz, Ildiko Y. Toth, Krisztina Kovacs, Sergey V. Mikhalovsky Chemical Communications, 2011
