Meet Dr. Barroca!

South Tucson’s groundwater contains high levels of toxic chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These substances, which don’t easily break down in the environment, are being closely monitored by researcher Dr. Mariana Vasconcelos Barroca, a postdoc in the Department of Environmental Science. Dr. Barroca is a soil physical chemist who specializes in the study of contaminant transport  – the movement of harmful substances through the environment. 

Dr. Barroca completed her PhD research in Israel’s Negev Desert, where she characterized the dynamics of pesticide transport via irrigation. Now, at the UofA, Dr. Barroca is studying how PFAS percolates through layers of unsaturated soil, known as the vadose zone, with the aim of understanding how the chemicals enter Tucson’s groundwater and the implications for public health. Part of her project involves evaluating the rates at which water dissipates into the soil layers to determine the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. Hydraulic conductivity is a fundamental soil property critical for quantifying water flux and infiltration, but its direct measurement in field conditions presents significant challenges and is often impractical. The results of Dr. Barroca’s work will aid in predicting PFAS transport in contaminated sites, such as the Davis Monthan Air Force base in South Tucson. The toolkit will provide data-driven insights to inform decision-making processes and support environmental remediation programs. 

In this research endeavor, Dr. Barroca has gained significant leadership experience by overseeing the purchase of scientific instruments and by communicating with subcontractors and governmental organizations. In 2023, she was selected by the Department of Postdoctoral Affairs to attend the Alan Alda Center for Communication Workshop on Science Communication. The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to communicate research findings to a diverse audience. Dr. Barroca’s work directly impacts the health of Tucsonans and she is eager to communicate her scientific insights to help protect society’s most essential resource, water. 

See Dr. Vasconcelos Barroca’s publications here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mariana-Vasconcelos-Barroca 

Learn about the Alan Alda Center for Science Communication Programs: https://www.aldacenter.org/professional-development/index.php