Decease of researcher Jordi Garcia Orellana

06/07/2022

Jordi Garcia Orellana was a leading figure in the application of artificial and natural radionuclides and stable isotopes in the study of environmental processes in both terrestrial and marine environments.

He received his PhD in Physics at the UAB in 2004 with a thesis focused on the distribution and transfer of caesium-137, plutonium-239 and plutonium-240, and polonium-210 to the Mediterranean Sea. He then attended SoMAS at StonyBrook University (NY, US) where he studied the role of Submarine Groundwater Discharge in Long Island Sound (NY). Since 2016, Jordi Garcia Orellana held a permanent position at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, holding management positions such as head of the Radiations Physics Unit and secretary of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB). He participated in the Physics and Environmental Sciences’ degree programmes and was co-director of several PhD theses.

His current research focused on the role of submarine groundwater discharge on marine biogeochemical cycles; sedimentation processes and recent pollution over 100-200 years in aquatic environments; and the accumulation and distribution of radionuclides in NORM industries. He also studied issues such as anthropogenic pollution, blue carbon, anthropic impact on high mountain peatlands, the use of tracers for the determination of carbon flows from permafrost, and the distribution of artificial radionuclides in the oceans.

A good colleague, friend and scientist who always dedicated his fullest to ICTA-UAB has suddenly left us. Despite his passing, he will always be present among us through his work, the people he trained, the friendships he made, and the experiences he shared with us all.

The UAB extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends, and to all of Jordi’s colleagues at our university.