Field of study / Research area
422 - Environmental science

Level
Master

Name of the Programme
Taxonomy and Ecology of Freshwater Diatoms

Website (URL) of the Programme
https://institutos.unileon.es/laboratorio-de-diatomologia/

Name of the offer / activity
Diatom-based assessment of ecological status in Mediterranean rivers: calibration and validation of bioindication indices under the EU Water Framework Directive

Brief description of the activities to be carried out
The Laboratory of Diatomology at the University of León carries out research, technical services, and training centered on the taxonomy, ecology, and applied use of diatoms and other microalgae for environmental assessment and water management.

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Research and development

The group studies freshwater and marine diatom taxonomy and ecology, developing and applying diatom indices, bioindicators, and biotic indices of water quality, with special emphasis on the EU Water Framework Directive and biomonitoring programs. It also works on microalgae in bioreactors and wastewater treatment, discovers and describes new algal species, and designs sampling, processing, and analytical protocols (including a national protocol for epiphytic diatoms in lagoons and the DDI index for Duero basin rivers).

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Technical and advisory services

Activities include water quality analysis using diatoms, calculation of biological indices, and application of phytobenthic indicators in rivers, lakes, and coastal systems, together with expert reports and technical opinions. The laboratory provides diatom identification (freshwater and marine), image analysis and morphometrics, floristic inventories, illustrated catalogues and identification guides, biodiversity studies, quality control and intercalibration assays, and consultancy on invasive diatoms and paleolimnological reconstructions.

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Teaching and outreach

The group offers introductory and intensive courses in freshwater and marine diatom taxonomy and contributes to formal teaching at the University of León, as well as numerous seminars for teacher training. It also engages in long-term science outreach through collaborations with public and private institutions and publications aimed at non-specialist audiences

Working language(s)
English, Spanish, French

Host University
University of León

University Department / Unit
SAID Laboratorio de Diatomología

Duration in months
6

Comments on duration
This duration aligns with standard Master's thesis timelines in environmental sciences at Spanish universities, allowing time for field sampling (1-2 months), lab processing and microscopy (2 months), data analysis and index calculation (1-2 months), and report writing. It provides a focused scope suitable for a student new to diatomology while leveraging your lab's established protocols for efficiency, avoiding overly ambitious multi-year paleolimnological or bioreactor projects. Adjustments can extend it to 9-12 months if incorporating advanced morphometrics or international comparisons.

Starting
January 2026

Ending
June 2026

Academic responsible for the offer
Prof. Saúl Blanco
sblal@unileon.es