Dr. Carlos Rocha
Associate Prof Environmental Change, School Office - Natural Sciences
Associate Prof Environmental Change, Geology
Biography
Carlos Rocha is an Associate Professor in Environmental Change at the School of Natural Sciences, TCD. After graduating in Technological Chemistry with honours in 1991, he went on to obtain a PhD in Marine Chemistry "suma cum laude" at the University of Lisbon in 1997. His contribution to the field was recognized at an early stage by two national science awards (1999 & 2000) and a prestigious nomination for the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography Lindemann Award in 2001. Before joining Trinity College, he was a lecturer in Biogeochemistry and the deputy director of the Centre for Marine and Environmental research at the University of Algarve, Portugal. Currently, Carlos teaches various aspects of Earth System Science at both under- and postgraduate level and leads the Biogeochemistry Research Group at Trinity College. Our research focuses on the study of processes affecting the transport, fate and impact of chemical species, including contaminants, in aquatic ecosystems. These studies aim to increase, for example, our understanding of carbon and nutrient transport, bioavailability and reactivity in the aquatic environment. Our ultimate goal is to comprehend ecosystem functional plasticity in response to anthropogenic pressure, climate change and biological activity, leading to increased knowledge on the resilience of marine systems to environmental change.
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Rocha, Carlos, Henry Bokuniewicz, Clare E. Robinson, Isaac R. Santos, and Hannelore Waska, To Study the Invisible: Hydraulics, Biogeochemistry, and Life in Subterranean Estuaries [Editorial: Subterranean Estuaries], Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 2022
Rocha, Carlos, Shan Jiang, J. S. P. Ibánhez, Qiang Yang, Katerina Mazi, and Antonis D. Koussis, The Effects of Subterranean Estuary Dynamics on Nutrient Resource Ratio Availability to Microphytobenthos in a Coastal Lagoon, Science of the Total Environment , 851, 2022, p157522
Calvo-Martin, Elisa, Eva Teira, Xosé Antón Álvarez-Salgado, Carlos Rocha, Shan Jiang, Maider Justel-Díez, and Juan Severino Pino Ibánhez. , On the Hidden Diversity and Niche Specialization of the Microbial Realm of Subterranean Estuaries, Environmental Microbiology, 2022
O'Connell D.W., Rocha C., Daly E., Carrey Labarta R., Marchesi R., Ansems N., Wilson J., Hickey C., Gill L.W. , Characterization of seasonal groundwater origin and evolution processes in a geologically heterogeneous catchment using geophysical, isotopic and hydro-chemical techniques (Lough Gur, Ireland), Hydrological Processes , 36, 2022, pe14706
Jiang, S., Kavanagh, M., Ibánhez, J.S.P., Rocha, C., Denitrification-nitrification process in permeable coastal sediments: An investigation on the effect of salinity and nitrate availability using flow-through reactors., Acta Oceanol. Sin, 40, 2021, p1 - 12
Calvo-Martin E, XA Álvarez-Salgado, C Rocha, JSP Ibánhez, Reactive solute transport through two contrasting subterranean exit sites in the Ria de Vigo (NW Iberian Peninsula), Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 2021, p626813-
Jiang, S., Jin, J., Wu, Y., Zhang, Y., Wei, Y., Rocha, C., Ibánhez, J.S.P., Zhang, J., Response of Nitrate Processing to Bio-labile Dissolved Organic Matter Supply Under Variable Oxygen Conditions in a Sandy Beach Seepage Face, Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 2021, p642143-
Savatier, M., Rocha, C., Rethinking tracer-based (Ra, Rn, salinity) approaches to estimate point-source submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) into coastal systems, Journal of Hydrology, 598, 2021, p126247-
Ibánhez, J.S.P., Álvarez‐Salgado, X.A., Nieto‐Cid, M., Rocha, C., Fresh and saline submarine groundwater discharge in a large coastal inlet affected by seasonal upwelling, Limnology & Oceanography , 66, 2021, p2141 - 2158
Aghdam M.M., Crowley Q., Rocha C., Dentoni V., Pelo S.D., Long S., Savatier M., A study of natural radioactivity levels and radon/thoron release potential of bedrock and soil in southeastern ireland, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, (5), 2021, p1 - 18, p1-18
Savatier M, MT Guerra, JE Murphy, C Rocha, Radium isotopes as tools to characterise nutrient dynamics in a variably stratified temperate fjord, Marine Chemistry, 231, 2021, p103934-
Rocha C, CE Robinson, IR Santos, H Waska, HA Michael, HJ Bokuniewicz, A place for subterranean estuaries in the coastal zone., Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 250, 2021, p107167-
Ibánhez, J.S.P., Álvarez-Salgado, X.A., Rocha, C., , Does Nitrate Enrichment Accelerate Organic Matter Turnover in Subterranean Estuaries?, Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 2021, p661201-
Jiang S, Y Zhang, J Jin, Y Wu, Y Wei, X Wang, C Rocha, JSP Ibánhez, J Zhang , Organic carbon at the seepage face of a subterranean estuary: Turnover and microbial interrelations, Science of the Total Environment, 725, 2020, p138220-
Ibánhez JSP, E Arevalo, T Kelly, S Papaspyrou, C Rocha, A Nicolaidou, Unravelling the dispersion and environmental impact of anthropogenic discharges in transitional water ecosystems, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 216, 2019, p204 - 217
Jiang S, JSP Ibánhez and C Rocha , Influence of labile dissolved organic matter on nitrate reduction in a seepage face., Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25, 2018, p10654 - 10667
Petermann E., K Knoller, C Rocha, J Scholten, R Stollberg, H Weiss and M Schubert, Coupling End-Member Mixing Analysis and Isotope Mass Balancing (222-Rn) for Differentiation of Fresh and Recirculated Submarine Groundwater Discharge Into Knysna Estuary, South Africa., Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 123, 2018, p952-970
Oppelt, A.; Lopez Correa, M. and Rocha, C., Biogeochemical analysis of the calcification patterns of cold-water corals Madrepora oculata and Lophelia pertusa along contact surfaces with calcified tubes of the symbiotic polychaete Eunice norvegica: Evaluation of a mucus calcification hypothesis, Deep-Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 127, 2017, p90-104
Jiang, S. and Kavanagh, M. and Rocha, C., Evaluation of the suitability of vacutainers for storage of nutrient and dissolved organic carbon analytes in water samples, Biology and Environment, 117B, (1), 2017, p33-46
Lefevre, N.; da Silva Dias, F.J.; de Torres, A.R.; Noriega, C.; Araujo, M.; de Castro, A.C.L.; Rocha, C.; Jiang, S. and Ibanhez, J.S.P., A source of CO
Lefevre, N.; Montes, M.F.; Gaspar, F.L.; Rocha, C.; Jiang, S.; De Araujo, M.C.; Ibanhez, J.S.P., Net heterotrophy in the Amazon continental shelf changes rapidly to a sink of CO
JSP Ibanhez and C Rocha, Kinetics of inorganic nitrogen turnover in a sandy seepage face on a subterranean estuary., Applied Geochemistry, 87, 2017, p108 - 121
Green, D.S. and Boots, B. and Sigwart, J. and Jiang, S. and Rocha, C., Effects of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on a marine ecosystem engineer (Arenicola marina) and sediment nutrient cycling, Environmental Pollution, 208, 2016, p426-434
Rocha, C. and Veiga-Pires, C. and Scholten, J. and Knoeller, K. and Gröcke, D.R. and Carvalho, L. and Anibal, J. and Wilson, J., Assessing land-ocean connectivity via submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in the Ria Formosa Lagoon (Portugal): Combining radon measurements and stable isotope hydrology, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 20, (8), 2016, p3077-3098
Wilson, J., Rocha, C. & Coxon, C., Combining earth observation and geochemical tracing techniques for groundwater detection and evaluation in Ireland, EPA Research Report, 172, Wexford, Environmental Protection Agency, 2016, 56 pp.
Wilson, J., Coxon, C. & Rocha, C., A GIS and remote sensing based screening tool for assessing the potential for groundwater discharge to lakes in Ireland, Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 116B, (3), 2016, p265 - 277
Ibanhez, J.S.P. and Rocha, C., Oxygen transport and reactivity within a sandy seepage face in a mesotidal lagoon (Ria Formosa, Southwestern Iberia), Limnology and Oceanography, 61, (1), 2016, p61-77
Green, D.S. and Boots, B. and Blockley, D.J. and Rocha, C. and Thompson, R., Impacts of discarded plastic bags on marine assemblages and ecosystem functioning, Environmental Science and Technology, 49, (9), 2015, p5380-5389
Rocha, C. and Wilson, J. and Scholten, J. and Schubert, M., Retention and fate of groundwater-borne nitrogen in a coastal bay (Kinvara Bay, Western Ireland) during summer, Biogeochemistry, 125, (2), 2015, p275-299
Rocha, C. and Wilson, J. and Scholten, J. and Schubert, M., Erratum to: Retention and fate of groundwater-borne nitrogen in a coastal bay (Kinvara Bay, Western Ireland) during summer [Biogeochemistry, DOI 10.1007/s10533-015-0116-1], Biogeochemistry, 125, (2), 2015, p301
Al-Ali, A.M. and Del Campo, A.G. and Rocha, C., Environmental assessment of mangrove communities in Tarut bay, eastern Arabian peninsula, based on multidisciplinary approach, 40, (7W3), 2015, pp269-276
Ibánhez, J.S.P. and Rocha, C., Porewater Sampling for NH
Wilson, J. and Rocha, C., A remote sensing and geochemical tracing approach for localising groundwater discharge to lakes, 9239, (92391A), 2014
Ibánhez J. Severino P., Rocha Carlos, Effects of recirculation of seawater enriched in inorganic nitrogen on dissolved organic carbon processing in sandy seepage face sediments , Marine Chemistry , 166 , ( ), 2014, p48 - 58
Carvalho, LF, C Rocha, A Fleming, C Veiga-Pires, J Anibal, Interception of nutrient rich submarine groundwater discharge seepage on European temperate beaches by the Acoel flatworm, Symsagittifera roscoffensis., Marine Pollution Bulletin, 75, 2013, p150 - 156
Ibanhez, J., Leote, C. & C Rocha, Seasonal enhancement of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD)-derived nitrate loading into the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon assessed by 1-D modelling of benthic NO3- profiles, Estuarine and Coastal Shelf Science, 132, 2013, p56 - 64
Anibal, J, H Madeira, LF Carvalho, E Esteves, C Veiga-Pires, C Rocha, Macroalgae mitigation potential for fish aquaculture effluents: an approach coupling nitrogen uptake and metabolic pathways using Ulva rigida and Enteromorpha clathrata., Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2013
Green, D.S., C. Rocha & T. Crowe, Effects of Non-indigenous Oysters on Ecosystem Processes Vary with Abundance and Context. , Ecosystems, 16, 2013, p881 - 893
Stevenson, A. & C. Rocha, Evidence for the bioerosion of deep-water corals by echinoids in the Northeast Atlantic. , Deep-Sea Research, Part I, 71, 2013, p73 - 78
Craven, K., Edwards, R.J., Goodue, R., Rocha, C., Evaluating the influence of selected acid-pretreatment methods on the environmental interpretation of C/N and δ13C of temperate inter-tidal sediments for relative sea-level reconstruction, Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 31, 2013, p25 - 42
Remote Sensing of Environment, 119, (2012), 21 - 34p, Elsevier, [eds.]
Wilson J & C Rocha , Regional scale assessment of Submarine Groundwater Discharge in Ireland combining medium resolution satellite imagery and geochemical tracing techniques, Remote Sensing of Environment, 119, 2012, p21 - 34
Rocha, C. and Woodward, M., Nutrients, 2012, 197-221pp
Anibal J, E Esteves and C Rocha, Seasonal variations in gross biochemical composition, percent edibility, and condition index of the clam Ruditapes decussatus cultivated in the Ria Formosa (south Portugal), Journal of Shellfish Research, 30, 2011, p17 - 23
J Ibanhez, Leote C and C Rocha, Porewater nitrate profiles in sandy sediments hosting submarine groundwater discharge described by an Advection-Dispersion-Reaction (ADR) model, Biogeochemistry, 103, 2011, p159 - 180
Marine monitored parameters, matrices and related techniques - Nutrients. in, editor(s)Quevauvilliler, P., Roose, P & Verreet, G. , Chemical Marine Monitoring - Policy Framework and Analytical Trends, Chichester, UK, John Wiley & Sons, 2011, pp195 - 221, [Rocha C and EMS Woodward]
Wilson J & C Rocha , Regional Scale Assessment of SGD (Submarine Groundwater Discharge) in Ireland. , Proceedings of RSPSoc2010 Annual Conference, RSPSoc 2010 Annual Conference, Cork, Ireland, 1st-3rd September 20, 2010, pp123 - 130
Simao MF, RB Leite, C Rocha and ML Cancela, Changes in Bioturbation of Iron Biogeochemistry and in Molecular Response of the Clam Ruditapes decussates upon Perkinsus olseni Infection. , Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2010
Rocha C, Biogeochemistry of nitrogen in intertidal sediments supporting Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD), RSC Invited Talk, University of Plymouth, UK, 4th February, 2009, Royal Society of Chemistry
Rocha, C.; J. Ibanhez & C. Leote, Benthic nitrate biogeochemistry affected by tidal modulation of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) through a sandy beach face, Ria Formosa, Southwestern Iberia, Marine Chemistry, 115, (1-2), 2009, p43 - 58
Leote C, J Ibanhez and C Rocha, Submarine Groundwater Discharge as a nitrogen source to the Ria Formosa studied with seepage meters, Biogeochemistry, 88, 2008, p185 - 194
Rocha C, Sandy sediments as active bigeochemical reactors: compound cycling on the fast lane, Aquatic Microbial Ecology, 53(1), 2008, p119 - 127
Leote C, J Ibanhez and C Rocha, Coastal Groundwater Discharge in the Ria Formosa identified as a major source of Nitrogen to the lagoon's internal nutrient mass balance, published in CD-ROM, XXXV IAH (International Association of Hydrogeologists) Congress - Groundwater and Ecosystems, Lisbon, 17-21 September, 2007, pp9pp
Rocha C, Sandy sediments as active bigeochemical reactors: compound cycling on the fast lane?, 10th Symposium on Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Faro, Portugal, 2-7 September, 2007, ISME-International Society for Microbial Ecology
Ibanhez SP, C Leote and C Rocha, Biogeochemical mediation of groundwater-borne nitrate seepage into the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon by beach face sandy sediments, published in CD-ROM, XXXV IAH (International Association of Hydrogeologists) Congress - Groundwater and Ecosystems, Lisbon, 17-21 September, 2007, pp10
Aníbal J, C. Rocha & M. Sprung, Mudflat surface morphology as a structuring agent of algae and associated macroepifauna communities: A case study in the Ria Formosa , Journal of Sea Research, 57, 2007, p36 - 46
Fitzsimons, M.F. and Dawit, M. and Revitt, D.M. and Rocha, C., Effects of early tidal inundation on the cycling of methylamines in inter-tidal sediments, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 294, 2005, p51-61
Rocha C, S Forster, E Koning and E Epping, High-resolution permeability determination and two-dimensional pore water flow in sandy sediment, Limnology & Oceanography: Methods, 3, 2005, p10 - 23
Fitzsimmons MF, M Dawit, DM Revitt and C Rocha, A study of the effects of early tidal inundation on the cycling of methylamines in inter-tidal sediments, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 294, 2005, p51 - 61
Rocha C, H Galvão and A Barbosa, Role of transient silicon limitation in the development of cyanobacteria blooms in the Guadiana estuary, South-western Iberia, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 228, 2002, p35 - 45
Vidal S, C Rocha, and H Galvão, A comparison of organic and inorganic carbon controls over biological denitrification in aquaria, Chemosphere, 48, 2002, p445 - 451
Rocha C, S Mesquita, S Vidal and H Galvão, Impact of clam harvesting on benthic nitrifiers in sandy intertidal sediments of the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, Portugal, Journal of Coastal Research, 34 , (SI), 2001, p623 - 632
Rocha, C, Convective turnover on flooding of warm, permeable, intertidal sediments: The ecological importance of the convective turnover pump, Journal of Sea Research, 43, 2000, p1 - 14
Rocha, C., Density-driven convection during flooding of warm, permeable intertidal sediments: The ecological importance of the convective turnover pump, Journal of Sea Research, 43, (1), 2000, p1-14
Rocha, C, Rhythmic ammonium regeneration and flushing in intertidal sediments of the Sado estuary, Limnology and Oceanography, 43, (5), 1998, p823 - 831
Rocha C and AP Cabral, The influence of tidal action on pore water nitrate in intertidal sediments of the Sado estuary, Estuaries, 21, (4A), 1998, p635 - 645
Biogeochemical Fluxes in intertidal zones: examples from Portuguese ecosystems in, editor(s)R. Prego & J. M. Fernandez , Biogeochemical processes in Luso-Spanish coastal systems, Pontevedra, Spain, 1995, pp15 - 19, [Vale C, I Caçador, MJ Madureira, M Falcão, M Caetano, T Cabrita and C Rocha]
Rocha, C. and Cabeçadas, G. and Brogueira, M.J., On the importance of sediment-water exchange processes of ammonia to primary production in shallow areas of the Sado estuary (Portugal), Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology, 29, (3-4), 1995, p265-273
Rocha C, J Madureira and M Caetano, Role of microorganisms in the mineralization processes of intertidal surface sediments subject to high temperatures: an incubation experiment, Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology, 29, (3-4), 1995, p257 - 263
Rocha C, G Cabeçadas and MJ Brogueira, Indications of the importance of sediment water exchange processes of ammonia in low depth areas to primary production in the Sado estuary, Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology, 29, (3-4), 1995, p265 - 273
Brogueira MJ, G Cabeçadas and C Rocha, Sado estuary coastal waters: thermohaline properties and chemical composition, GAIA, 8, 1994, p23 - 25
Iley J, Norberto F, E Rosa, V Cardoso and C Rocha, N-nitrosocompounds Part 2. The Synthesis of N-nitrosoclonidine and its decomposition in aqueous acidic media, Journal of the Chemical Society - Perkin Transactions II, 1993, p591-
Research Expertise
Recognition
Representations
Member of the Editorial Board, Journal of Sea Research (ISSN-1385-1101)
Awards and Honours
Nominated by students to Provost Teaching Award
Nominated by students for Provost Teaching Award
Lindemann award nominee, ASLO-American Society for Limnology and Oceanography
IMAR/Luiz Saldanha Young Researcher Award in Marine Science and Technology
Calouste Gulbenkian Young Researcher Award in Environmental Chemistry
Memberships
European Association of Geochemistry (EAG)
American Society for Limnology and Oceanography