Line of research: Environmental Rehabilitation and Ecosystem Dynamics
David has an undergraduate degree and PhD in pharmaceutical sciences from Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (Spain), with a specialization in ecology and postdoctoral studies in soil and water quality from the Institute of Food Research and Analysis at Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (Spain). He has been part of the SMI-ICE-Chile team since 2018 and is currently the Centre’s Scientific Leader. He has more than 25 years of experience in scientific research, during which he has participated in several national and international projects, and authored numerous scientific articles in indexed journals. His main lines of research include (bio)geochemistry, (eco)toxicology and human health risks of arsenic and other toxic elements in environmental systems, chemical stability and reuse of mining wastes (especially Cu tailings and bauxite red mud), removal of toxic metals and metalloids in water and effluents, (bio)remediation of contaminated waters and soils, and impacts of particulate matter on the environment and communities.
Journal Articles
- Zanetta‐Colombo, Nicolás. C., Manzano, Carlos A., Brombierstäudl, Dagmar., Fleming, Zöe. L., Gayo, Eugenia. , Rubinos, David A., Jerez, O., Valdés, Jorge, Prieto, Manuel and Nüsser, Marcus (2024). Blowin’ in the wind: Mapping the dispersion of metal (loid)s from Atacama mining. GeoHealth, 8(10), e2024GH001078. doi: 10.1029/2024GH001078
- Tehrani, Giti F., Rubinos, David A., Kelm, Ursula, and Ghadimi, Saideh. (2023). Environmental and human health risks of potentially harmful elements in mining-impacted soils: A case study of the Angouran Zn–Pb Mine, Iran. Journal of Environmental Management, 334, 117470. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117470
- Forghani, Giti, Rubinos, David A., Rahimi-Nia, A., Bagherian, G. and Goudarzi, N. (2023). Lead(II) removal from aqueous solutions and battery industry wastewater by sorption using seawater-neutralized red mud. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. doi:10.1007/s13762-023-04801-3
- Corzo Remigio, Amelia, Rubinos, David A., van der Ent, Antony and Edraki, Mansour (2021). Geochemical cycles of arsenic in historic tin tailings from multiple ore sources: an example from Australia. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 232(12), 1-20. doi: 10.1007/s11270-021-05447-y
- Rubinos, David A., Jerez, Óscar, Forghani, Giti, Edraki, Mansour and Kelm, U. (2021). Geochemical stability of potentially toxic elements in porphyry copper-mine tailings from Chile as linked to ecological and human health risks assessment. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 57499–57529. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-12844-7
- Spagnoli, Giovanni, Feinendegen, Martin, Di Matteo, Lucio and Rubinos, David A. (2021). Closure to “Discussion of ‘The Flow Index of Clays and its relationship with some basic geotechnical properties’ by G. Spagnoli, M. Feinendegen, L. Di Matteo, and DA Rubinos”. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 44(1), 220–221. doi: 10.1520/GTJ20200005
- Alcalde, Juan, Edraki, Mansour, Jerez, Óscar, Kelm, Ursula and Rubinos, David A. (2020). Assessment of mineralogical, textural, and water chemistry changes during long-distance tailings-slurry transport. Mine Water and the Environment, 39, 135–149. doi: 10.1007/s10230-020-00658-x
- Rubinos, David A. and Spagnoli, Giovanni (2019). Assessment of red mud as sorptive landfill liner for the retention of arsenic (V). Journal of Environmental Management, 232, 271-285. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.09.041
- Spagnoli, Giovanni, Feinendegen, Martin, Di Matteo, Lucio and Rubinos, David A. (2019). The flow index of clays and its relationship with some basic geotechnical properties. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 42(6), 1685-1700. doi: 10.1520/GTJ20180110
- Rubinos, David A. and Spagnoli, Giovanni (2018). Utilization of waste products as alternative landfill liner and cover materials–A critical review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 48(4), 376–438. doi: 10.1080/10643389.2018.1461495
- Rubinos, David A., Valcárcel, Víctor, Spagnoli, Giovanni and Barral, María T. (2017) Microstructural characterization of red mud as affected by inorganic and organic chemicals permeation. JOM, 69(9), 1607–1612. doi: 10.1007/s11837-017-2301-2
- Rubinos, David A. and Barral, María T. (2017) Sorptive removal of HgII by red mud (bauxite residue) in contaminated landfill leachate. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 52(1), 84–98. doi: 10.1080/10934529.2016.1229938
- Prieto, Diego M., Rubinos, David A., Piñeiro, Verónica, Díaz-Fierros, Francisco and Barral, María T. (2016). Influence of epipsammic biofilm on the biogeochemistry of arsenic in freshwater environments. Biogeochemistry, 129(3), 291-306. doi: 10.1007/s10533-016-0232-6
- Prieto, Diego M., Devesa-Rey, Rosa, Rubinos, David A., Díaz-Fierros, Francisco and Barral, María T. (2016) Biofilm formation on river sediments under different light intensities and nutrient inputs: a Flume Mesocosm Study. Environmental Engineering Science, 33(4), 250-260. doi: 10.1089/ees.2015.0
- Rubinos, David A., Spagnoli, Giovanni and Barral, María T. (2016) Chemical and environmental compatibility of red mud liners for hazardous waste containment. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 13(3), 773-792. doi: 10.1007/s13762-015-0917-8
- Rubinos, David A. and Barral, María T. (2015). Use of red mud (bauxite residue) for the retention of aqueous inorganic mercury (II). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 22, 17550-17568. doi: 10.1007/s11356-015-4901-0
- Rubinos, David, Spagnoli, Giovanni and Barral, María T. (2015) Assessment of bauxite refining residue (red mud) as a liner for waste disposal facilities. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 29(6), 433-452. doi: 10.1080/17480930.2013.830906
- Rubinos, David A., Calvo, Valeria, Iglesias, Luz and Barral, María T. (2014) Acute toxicity of arsenic to Aliivibrio fischeri (Microtox® bioassay) as influenced by potential competitive–protective agents. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 21(14), 8631-8644. doi: 10.1007/s11356-014-2715-0
- Prieto, Diego M., Devesa-Rey, Rosa, Rubinos, David A., Díaz-Fierros, Francisco and Barral, María T. (2013) Arsenate retention by epipsammic biofilms developed on streambed sediments: influence of phosphate. BioMed Research International, 2013(1), 591634. doi: 10.1155/2013/591634
- Devesa-Rey, Rosa, Fonseca, B, Rubinos, David and Tavares, Teresa (2013) Effect of phosphorus on the attenuation of lead and chromium transport in soils. Environmental Earth Sciences, 70(6), 2443-2451. doi: 10.1007/s12665-013-2287-
- Rubinos, David A. and Barral, María T. (2013) Fractionation and mobility of metals in bauxite red mud. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2(11), 7787-7802. doi: 10.1007/s11356-013-1477-4
- Spagnoli, Giovanni, Feinendegen, Martin and Rubinos, David (2013) Modification of clay adhesion to improve tunnelling excavation. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Ground Improvement, 166(1), 21-31. doi: 10.1680/grim.11.00017
- Spagnoli, Giovanni, Rubinos, David, Stanjek, Helge, Fernández-Steeger, Tomás, Feinendegen Martin and Azzam, Rafig (2012) Undrained shear strength of clays as modified by pH variations. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 71(1), 135-148. doi: 10.1007/s10064-011-0372-9
- Rubinos, David A., Iglesias, Luz, Díaz-Fierros, Francisco and Barral, María T (2011) Interacting effect of pH, phosphate and time on the release of arsenic from polluted river sediments (Anllóns River, Spain). Aquatic geochemistry, 17(3), 281-306. doi: 10.1007/s10498-011-9135-2
- Moldes, Ana B., Paradelo, Remigio, Rubinos, David, Devesa-Rey, Rosa, Cruz, José M. and Barral, María T. (2011) Ex situ treatment of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil using biosurfactants from Lactobacillus pentosus. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 59(17), 9443-9447. doi: 10.1021/jf201807
- Rubinos, David, Iglesias, Luz, Devesa-Rey, Rosa, Díaz-Fierros, Francisco and Barral, María T. (2010) Arsenic release from river sediments in a gold-mining area (Anllóns River basin, Spain): effect of time, pH and phosphorous concentration. European Journal of Mineralogy, 22(5), 665-678. doi: 10.1127/0935-1221/2010/0022-2061
- Carnicero, D., Díaz, E., Escolano, O., Rubinos, D., Ballesteros, O., Barral, M.T., Amils, R. and García Frutos, F.J. (2009) Preliminary study of neutralization and inhibition of chemolitotrophic bacteria in an acid mine drainage from Rio Tinto site. Advanced Materials Research, 71-73, 677–680. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.71-73.677
- Rubinos, David, Villasuso, Rafael, Barral, María T. and Díaz-Fierros, F. (2008) Biocorrección de suelos contaminados con isómeros de hexaclorociclohexano mediante técnicas de landfarming y biopilas. Edafología, 15(1), 53-72.
- Rubinos, David A., Arias, Manuel, Aymerich, Carlos and Díaz-Fierros, Francisco (2007) Aluminium contents in drinking water from public water supplies of Galicia (northwest Spain). IAHS publication, 310, 113-119.
- Rubinos, David A., Villasuso, Rafael, Muniategui, Soledad, Barral, María T. and Díaz-Fierros, Francisco (2007). Using the landfarming technique to remediate soils contaminated with hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 181(1-4), 385-399. doi: 10.1007/s11270-006-9309-5
- Rubinos, David A., Arias, Manuel, Díaz-Fierros, Francisco and Barral, María T. (2005) Speciation of adsorbed arsenic (V) on red mud using a sequential extraction procedure. Mineralogical Magazine, 69(5), 591-600. doi: 10.1180/0026461056950273
- Arias, Manuel, Barral, María T., Da Silva–Carvalhal, J, Mejuto, Juan C. and Rubinos, David (2004) Interaction of Hg (II) with kaolin-humic acid complexes. Clay Minerals, 39(1), 35-45. doi: 10.1180/000985543910118
- Rubinos, David, Barral, María T., Ruiz, Begoña, Ruiz, María, Rial, María E., Álvarez, Manuel and Díaz-Fierros, Francisco (2003) Phosphate and arsenate retention in sediments of the Anllóns river (northwest Spain). Water Science and Technology, 48(10), 159-166. doi: 10.2166/wst.2003.0564
- Arias, Manuel, Núñez, Avelino, Rubinos, David, Barral, María T. and Díaz-Fierros, Francisco (2001) Contamination of soils near a road construction site caused by mine runoffs. Agrochimica, 45, 134-146.
- López Periago, Eugenio, Soto González, Benedicto, Rubinos González, David and Díaz-Fierros Viqueira, Francisco (2001) Efecto de las propiedades hidráulicas del suelo sobre la respuesta hidrológica calculada por LISEM 5.0. Cadernos Laboratorio Xeolóxico de Laxe, 26, 231–242.
- López, Eugenio, Soto, Benedicto, Rubinos, David and Díaz-Fierros, Francisco (2000) Flow-variation-paced sampling: a method for automatic sampling of streamflow during peak runoff periods. Journal of Hydrology, 229(3-4), 255-264. doi: 1016/S0022-1694(00)00160-8
Book chapters
- Rubinos, D., Díaz-Fierros, F. and Barral, M.T. (2011). Neutralization and decontamination of acid leachates using bauxite red mud. Mine Water–Managing the Challenges. (pp. 441-446) edited by Thomas R. Rüde, Antje Freund and Christian Wolkersdorfer. RWTH Aachen and International Mine Water Association. ISBN 978-1-897009-47-5.
- Rubinos, D.A., Devesa-Rey, R., Iglesias, L. and Barral, M.T. (2010) Redistribution and potential mobility of arsenic in polluted river sediments under pH changing conditions. Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment (pp. 1021-1025) edited by Bargańska et al. Published by Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland. ISBN 978-83-928986-5-8.
- Rubinos, D.A., Devesa-Rey, R. and Barral, M.T. (2010) Speciation analysis of arsenic in polluted river sediments as influenced by redox conditions. Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment (pp. 821-825) edited by Bargańska et al. Published by Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland. ISBN 978-83-928986-5-8.
- Arias, M., López, E., Núñez, A., Rubinos, D., Soto, B., Barral, M.T. and Díaz-Fierros, F. (1999) Adsorption of methylene blue by red mud, an oxide-rich byproduct of bauxite refining. (pp. 361-365). Effect of Mineral-Organic-Microorganism Interactions on Soil and Freshwater Environments edited by Berthelin et al. Kluwer Academic/Plenum publishers, New York, Springer, Boston, MA. ISBN: 0-306-46216-8.
- Rubinos, D., Vilaboy, K. and Barral, M.T. (1999) Quantitative determination of zeolites in red mud by a cation-exchange capacity method. Analytical Methodology in the Environmental Field. (pp. 359-360) edited by Darío Prada, ed. Diputación Provincial A Coruña. A Coruña, España. 1999. ISBN 84-89652-89-9.
- López, E., Soto, B., Rubinos, D., Díaz-Fierros, F (1999) Un método para el muestreo automático en avenidas. Avances sobre el estudio de la erosión hídrica. (pp. 299-306) edited by A. Paz González and M.T. Taboada Castro. Colección Cursos y Congresos. Universidad de La Coruña, 1999. ISBN 848969434-6.
- López, E., Soto, B., Rubinos, D., Díaz-Fierros, F (1999) Un modelo conceptual para la estimación de la carga de sólidos en suspensión a partir de la escorrentía (pp. 307-324) edited by A. Paz González and M.T. Taboada Castro. Colección Cursos y Congresos. Universidad de La Coruña, 1999. ISBN 848969434-6.
Thesis
- David Rubinos González (2008). Utilización de lodos rojos de bauxita en la contención e inactivación de residuos tóxicos y peligrosos. PhD Thesis. Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. España.
Supervised Thesis
- Efecto de biofilms en la retención y especiación de As(V) y As(III) en sistemas acuáticos. Febrero de 2014. Estudiante: Karla Mariuxi Villagrán Andrade. Programa Máster “Medioambiente y recursos naturales”. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, España.