Catarina Viegas Sousa

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Laboratório Associado TERRA
Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center

Catarina Viegas Sousa


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https://researchid.co/catarinaviegas

EDUCATION

PhD in Bioenergy (Oct 2017 to Nov 2021)
Master in Energy and Bioenergy (September 2012 to October 2014)
Degree in Agricultural Engineering, Specialization in Plant Protection (September 2000 to December 2006)

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Waste Management and Disposal
13

Scopus Publications

1005

Scholar Citations

9

Scholar h-index

9

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • A First Process-Oriented Characterization of Eriolobus trilobatus (Labill. ex Poiret) Bark from Turkey: Chemical, Morphological and Energy Properties
    Umut Șen, Cengiz Yücedağ, Büşra Balcı, Şefik Arıcı, Günnur Koçar, Beyza Şat, Catarina Viegas, Margarida Gonçalves, Isabel Miranda, Helena Pereira
    Processes, 2025
    For the first time, Eriolobus trilobatus bark from Turkey has been characterized in terms of its chemical, extractive, fuel, and ash characteristics using SEM–EDS, wet chemical analysis, phenolic analysis, FT-IR, TGA, XRF, XRD, BET surface area measurement, proximate analysis, and ash fusion temperature (AFT) determination. The results showed that the bark contains 13% ash, dominated by calcium oxalate, and 15% extractives, largely composed of polar phenolic compounds with moderate radical-scavenging potential. Thermal decomposition of bark proceeds in four distinct stages, associated with the sequential degradation of extractives/hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin/suberin, and inorganic fractions. The higher calorific value of 14.9 MJ/kg indicates moderate fuel quality compared with conventional woody biomass. Ash is mesoporous with a CaO-rich structure highly suitable for catalytic applications in biodiesel production and biomass gasification. Ash fusion analysis revealed a high flow temperature (1452 °C), indicating a very low slagging risk during thermochemical conversion. Overall, E. trilobatus bark is a promising material for value-added biorefinery pathways, enabling processes for the production of biochars, CaO-based catalysts, phenolic extracts, and sustainable energy. The valorization of E. trilobatus bark not only enhances the economic potential of forestry residues but also provides environmental co-benefits through carbon soil amendment and landscape applications.
  • Maceration of Waste Cork in Binary Hydrophilic Solvents for the Production of Functional Extracts
    Umut Şen, Catarina Viegas, Maria Paula Duarte, Elisabete Muchagato Maurício, Catarina Nobre, Ricardo Correia, Helena Pereira, Margarida Gonçalves
    Environments Mdpi, 2023
    Waste-grade cork samples of Quercus cerris were subjected to maceration extraction using 7 different solvents, including pure water (I), pure acetone (II), 75% aqueous ethanol (III), 75% aqueous methanol (IV), 75% aqueous acetone (V), 50% aqueous acetone (VI), and 25% aqueous acetone (VII). The extract yields, extract compositions, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts were analyzed. The results showed that maceration extraction was highly efficient, particularly with binary solvents resulting in up to 6% extract yield and up to 488 mg GAE/g extract total phenolic content. The extracts exhibited a variable antioxidant activity determined by DPPH and FRAP methods as well as antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria and fungus determined by agar diffusion test. The CIELAB color parameters of extracts were correlated with maceration time, and the correlation was highest with pure water extracts. The FT-IR spectra of acetone-extracted cork revealed six key markers of phenolic compounds with the presence of peaks at approximately 2920 cm−1, 2850 cm−1, 1609 cm−1, 1517 cm−1, 1277 cm−1, and 1114 cm−1. The overall results suggest that the maceration of waste cork in binary solvents and pure acetone are green alternatives to conventional Soxhlet extraction for the production of polar extracts.
  • Treatment of agro-industrial wastes using microalgae
    Catarina Viegas, Margarida Gonçalves
    Sustainable Industrial Processes Based on Microalgae, 2023
  • Treatment of Pig Farming Effluents by Coagulation with Alkaline Wastes, Atmospheric Carbonation, and Bioremediation with Microalgae
    Bruna Petry, Catarina Viegas, Gonçalo Lourinho, Catarina Nobre, Paulo Brito, Margarida Gonçalves
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability Icowefs 2022, 2023
  • BIOREMEDIATION OF EFFLUENTS FROM BIOMASS FRACTIONATION USING MICROALGAE: A CIRCULAR ECONOMY APPROACH
    European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2022
  • Evaluation of microalgae as bioremediation agent for poultry effluent and biostimulant for germination
    Catarina Viegas, Luísa Gouveia, Margarida Gonçalves
    Environmental Technology and Innovation, 2021
    This work addresses how a pre-treatment involving biomass ash influences the poultry effluent’s bioremediation using three microalga strains, such as Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella protothecoides and Tetradesmus obliquus. The undiluted effluent served as the culture medium for the growth, both in batch and semi continuous modes, and the remediation efficiency and biomass production yield were quantified. The combination strategy in batch mode, allowed removal efficiency of 100% for total nitrogen, more than 80% for total phosphorus and over 70% for chemical oxygen demand. Average biomass productivities for 10 days of 94.9, 76.2 and 72.0 mg L−1 day−1 were obtained for T. obliquus, C. vulgaris and C. protothecoides, respectively. Regarding semi-continuous strategy (28 days), the biomass productivities achieved were 245 and 194 mg L−1 day−1 for T. obliquus and C. vulgaris, respectively. Remediation rates of 100% for total nitrogen and phosphorus, and over 92% for COD were attained. The microalga composition was assessed for protein, sugar, lipid, and ash contents. The produced biomasses were tested as biostimulant and showed a 147% increase in wheat germination index, for the C. vulgaris microalga. The use of the precipitate from the biomass ash pre-treatment as fertilizer in germination tests was also assessed and results in an increase of 26%, for 10% of precipitate incorporation.
  • Optimization of biochar production by co‐torrefaction of microalgae and lignocellulosic biomass using response surface methodology
    Catarina Viegas, Catarina Nobre, Ricardo Correia, Luísa Gouveia, Margarida Gonçalves
    Energies, 2021
    Co-torrefaction of microalgae and lignocellulosic biomass was evaluated as a method to process microalgae sludge produced from various effluents and to obtain biochars with suitable properties for energy or material valorization. The influence of four independent variables on biochar yield and properties was evaluated by a set of experiments defined by response surface methodology (RSM). The biochars were characterized for proximate and ultimate composition, HHV, and methylene blue adsorption capacity. HHV of the biochars was positively correlated with carbonization temperature, residence time, and lignocellulosic biomass content in the feed. Co-torrefaction conditions that led to a higher yield of biochar (76.5%) with good calorific value (17.4 MJ Kg−1) were 250 °C, 60 min of residence time, 5% feed moisture, and 50% lignocellulosic biomass. The energy efficiency of the process was higher for lower temperatures (92.6%) but decreased abruptly with the increase of the moisture content of the feed mixture (16.9 to 57.3% for 70% moisture). Biochars produced using algal biomass grown in contaminated effluents presented high ash content and low calorific value. Dye removal efficiency by the produced biochars was tested, reaching 95% methylene blue adsorption capacity for the biochars produced with the least severe torrefaction conditions.
  • Bioremediation of cattle manure using microalgae after pre-treatment with biomass ash
    Catarina Viegas, Luísa Gouveia, Margarida Gonçalves
    Bioresource Technology Reports, 2021
  • A circular approach for landfill leachate treatment: Chemical precipitation with biomass ash followed by bioremediation through microalgae
    Catarina Viegas, Catarina Nobre, André Mota, Cândida Vilarinho, Luísa Gouveia, Margarida Gonçalves
    Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2021
    The aim of this work was to study an integrated approach for landfill leachate remediation comprising chemical precipitation with biomass bottom ash as a pre-treatment to reduce color and turbidity followed by bioremediation through microalgae treatment for effluent disposal. Optimal pre-treatment conditions were determined through batch experiments and were found to be 160 g L -1 ash dose, 96 h of contact time, overhead agitation at 15 rpm and ash particle size below 500 m. These conditions led to removal efficiencies of 74.3% for chemical oxygen demand and 98.5% for color. Large quantities of sludge containing excess biomass ash and precipitated compounds were formed during the pre-treatment. To minimize solid disposal, this sludge was tested as a raw material for cementitious and aggregate substitute in mortar formulations. Following the pre-treatment, the leachate was inoculated with six different microalgae species to evaluate their ability to grow in such a recalcitrant effluent and remediate it. After a period of 27 days biomass concentration from 0.4 to 1.2 g L -1 were achieved for the tested microalgae. Removal efficiencies were in the range of 18-62% for COD, 63-71% for N, and 15-100% for P. At the end of the treatment, algal biomass was characterized regarding protein, lipid, fatty acids, carbohydrate, and ash contents. This approach allows a low-cost remediation of these recalcitrant effluents when compared with the present options that include inverse osmosis, and the valorization of ash-rich precipitates and microalgae biomass improves the sustainability of the overall process.
  • Aquaculture wastewater treatment through microalgal. Biomass potential applications on animal feed, agriculture, and energy
    Catarina Viegas, Luísa Gouveia, Margarida Gonçalves
    Journal of Environmental Management, 2021
  • Microalgae biomass production using wastewater: Treatment and costs. Scale-up considerations.
    Luísa Gouveia, Sofia Graça, Catarina Sousa, Lucas Ambrosano, Belina Ribeiro, Elberis P. Botrel, Pedro Castro Neto, Ana F. Ferreira, Carla M. Silva
    Algal Research, 2016
  • Bioremediation of agro-industrial effluents using chlorella microalgae
    Catarina Viegas, Margarida Gonçalves, Liliana Soares, Benilde Mendes
    IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, 2016
  • Combining urban wastewater treatment with biohydrogen production - An integrated microalgae-based approach
    Ana Paula Batista, Lucas Ambrosano, Sofia Graça, Catarina Sousa, Paula A.S.S. Marques, Belina Ribeiro, Elberis P. Botrel, Pedro Castro Neto, Luisa Gouveia
    Bioresource Technology, 2015

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • A First Process-Oriented Characterization of Eriolobus trilobatus (Labill. ex Poiret) Bark from Turkey: Chemical, Morphological and Energy Properties
    U Șen, C Yücedağ, B Balcı, Ş Arıcı, G Koçar, B Şat, C Viegas, ...
    Processes 13 (12), 3946 , 2025
    2025
  • Applications and future trends of in situ technologies for biogas purification and upgrading
    M Gonçalves, C Viegas, B Petry, AP Ramos, N Lapa, JP Mota
    Biogas in the Circular Economy, 121-161 , 2025
    2025
  • Valorisation of Animal Waste for Energy and Material Recovery
    C Viegas
    Generation of Energy from Municipal Solid Waste: Circular Economy and … , 2024
    2024
  • Treatment of agro-industrial wastes using microalgae
    C Viegas, M Gonçalves
    Sustainable Industrial Processes Based on Microalgae, 107-130 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 3
  • Maceration of waste cork in binary hydrophilic solvents for the production of functional extracts
    U Şen, C Viegas, MP Duarte, EM Maurício, C Nobre, R Correia, H Pereira, ...
    Environments 10 (8), 142 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 14
  • Treatment of Pig Farming Effluents by Coagulation with Alkaline Wastes, Atmospheric Carbonation, and Bioremediation
    B Petry, C Viegas, G Lourinho, C Nobre¹
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Water Energy Food and … , 2023
    2023
  • Treatment of Pig Farming Effluents by Coagulation with Alkaline Wastes, Atmospheric Carbonation, and Bioremediation with Microalgae
    B Petry, C Viegas, G Lourinho, C Nobre, P Brito, M Gonçalves
    International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability, 327-336 , 2022
    2022
  • Optimization of biochar production by co-torrefaction of microalgae and lignocellulosic biomass using response surface methodology
    C Viegas, C Nobre, R Correia, L Gouveia, M Gonçalves
    Energies 14 (21), 7330 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 44
  • Evaluation of microalgae as bioremediation agent for poultry effluent and biostimulant for germination
    C Viegas, L Gouveia, M Gonçalves
    Environmental Technology & Innovation 24, 102048 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 50
  • Bioremediation of cattle manure using microalgae after pre-treatment with biomass ash
    C Viegas, L Gouveia, M Gonçalves
    Bioresource Technology Reports 14, 100681 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 34
  • A circular approach for landfill leachate treatment: Chemical precipitation with biomass ash followed by bioremediation through microalgae
    C Viegas, C Nobre, A Mota, C Vilarinho, L Gouveia, M Gonçalves
    Journal of environmental chemical engineering 9 (3), 105187 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 67
  • Aquaculture wastewater treatment through microalgal. Biomass potential applications on animal feed, agriculture, and energy
    C Viegas, L Gouveia, M Gonçalves
    Journal of Environmental Management 286, 112187 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 157
  • Integrated treatment of pig production wastewaters using pre-treatment with biomass ash and bioremediation by microalgae
    C Viegas, M Gonçalves
    International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability, 245-257 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 7
  • Bioremediation of Agro-Industrial Effluents Mediated by Microalgae
    CV de Sousa
    PQDT-Global , 2021
    2021
  • Microalgae biomass production using wastewater: Treatment and costs: Scale-up considerations
    L Gouveia, S Graça, C Sousa, L Ambrosano, B Ribeiro, EP Botrel, ...
    Algal Research 16, 167-176 , 2016
    2016
    Citations: 323
  • Bioremediation of agro-industrial effluents using chlorella microalgae
    C Viegas, M Gonçalves, L Soares, B Mendes
    Doctoral Conference on Computing, Electrical and Industrial Systems, 523-530 , 2016
    2016
    Citations: 3
  • Bioremediation of poultry industries effluents using microalgae
    C Viegas, G Margarida, S Lourenco, L Gouveia
    WASTES: Solution, treatments, and opportunities. Conference paper , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 1
  • Combining urban wastewater treatment with biohydrogen production–an integrated microalgae-based approach
    AP Batista, L Ambrosano, S Graça, C Sousa, PASS Marques, B Ribeiro, ...
    Bioresource technology 184, 230-235 , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 285
  • Microalgae for urban wastewater treatment and fermentative biohydrogen production
    L Gouveia
    2014
  • Microalgas: do Tratamento de Efluentes para a Biorrefinaria
    CV de Sousa
    PQDT-Global , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 7

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Microalgae biomass production using wastewater: Treatment and costs: Scale-up considerations
    L Gouveia, S Graça, C Sousa, L Ambrosano, B Ribeiro, EP Botrel, ...
    Algal Research 16, 167-176 , 2016
    2016.0
    Citations: 323
  • Combining urban wastewater treatment with biohydrogen production–an integrated microalgae-based approach
    AP Batista, L Ambrosano, S Graça, C Sousa, PASS Marques, B Ribeiro, ...
    Bioresource technology 184, 230-235 , 2015
    2015.0
    Citations: 285
  • Aquaculture wastewater treatment through microalgal. Biomass potential applications on animal feed, agriculture, and energy
    C Viegas, L Gouveia, M Gonçalves
    Journal of Environmental Management 286, 112187 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 157
  • A circular approach for landfill leachate treatment: Chemical precipitation with biomass ash followed by bioremediation through microalgae
    C Viegas, C Nobre, A Mota, C Vilarinho, L Gouveia, M Gonçalves
    Journal of environmental chemical engineering 9 (3), 105187 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 67
  • Evaluation of microalgae as bioremediation agent for poultry effluent and biostimulant for germination
    C Viegas, L Gouveia, M Gonçalves
    Environmental Technology & Innovation 24, 102048 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 50
  • Optimization of biochar production by co-torrefaction of microalgae and lignocellulosic biomass using response surface methodology
    C Viegas, C Nobre, R Correia, L Gouveia, M Gonçalves
    Energies 14 (21), 7330 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 44
  • Bioremediation of cattle manure using microalgae after pre-treatment with biomass ash
    C Viegas, L Gouveia, M Gonçalves
    Bioresource Technology Reports 14, 100681 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 34
  • Maceration of waste cork in binary hydrophilic solvents for the production of functional extracts
    U Şen, C Viegas, MP Duarte, EM Maurício, C Nobre, R Correia, H Pereira, ...
    Environments 10 (8), 142 , 2023
    2023.0
    Citations: 14
  • Microalgae biomass production using wastewater: treatment and costs: scale-up considerations, Algal Res. 16 (2016) 167–176
    L Gouveia, S Graça, C Sousa, L Ambrosano, B Ribeiro, EP Botrel, ...
    Citations: 10
  • Integrated treatment of pig production wastewaters using pre-treatment with biomass ash and bioremediation by microalgae
    C Viegas, M Gonçalves
    International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability, 245-257 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 7
  • Microalgas: do Tratamento de Efluentes para a Biorrefinaria
    CV de Sousa
    PQDT-Global , 2014
    2014.0
    Citations: 7
  • Treatment of agro-industrial wastes using microalgae
    C Viegas, M Gonçalves
    Sustainable Industrial Processes Based on Microalgae, 107-130 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 3
  • Bioremediation of agro-industrial effluents using chlorella microalgae
    C Viegas, M Gonçalves, L Soares, B Mendes
    Doctoral Conference on Computing, Electrical and Industrial Systems, 523-530 , 2016
    2016.0
    Citations: 3
  • Bioremediation of poultry industries effluents using microalgae
    C Viegas, G Margarida, S Lourenco, L Gouveia
    WASTES: Solution, treatments, and opportunities. Conference paper , 2015
    2015.0
    Citations: 1
  • A First Process-Oriented Characterization of Eriolobus trilobatus (Labill. ex Poiret) Bark from Turkey: Chemical, Morphological and Energy Properties
    U Șen, C Yücedağ, B Balcı, Ş Arıcı, G Koçar, B Şat, C Viegas, ...
    Processes 13 (12), 3946 , 2025
    2025.0
  • Applications and future trends of in situ technologies for biogas purification and upgrading
    M Gonçalves, C Viegas, B Petry, AP Ramos, N Lapa, JP Mota
    Biogas in the Circular Economy, 121-161 , 2025
    2025.0
  • Valorisation of Animal Waste for Energy and Material Recovery
    C Viegas
    Generation of Energy from Municipal Solid Waste: Circular Economy and … , 2024
    2024.0
  • Treatment of Pig Farming Effluents by Coagulation with Alkaline Wastes, Atmospheric Carbonation, and Bioremediation
    B Petry, C Viegas, G Lourinho, C Nobre¹
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Water Energy Food and … , 2023
    2023.0
  • Treatment of Pig Farming Effluents by Coagulation with Alkaline Wastes, Atmospheric Carbonation, and Bioremediation with Microalgae
    B Petry, C Viegas, G Lourinho, C Nobre, P Brito, M Gonçalves
    International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability, 327-336 , 2022
    2022.0
  • Bioremediation of Agro-Industrial Effluents Mediated by Microalgae
    CV de Sousa
    PQDT-Global , 2021
    2021.0