World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Rafael Pérez-López

Rafael Pérez-López

D-Index & Metrics

Environmental Sciences

D-Index
41
Citations
5891
World Ranking
7790
National Ranking
231

Overview

Rafael Pérez-López is affiliated with the University of Huelva in Spain and has contributed extensively to environmental science and earth and planetary sciences. Their research focuses primarily on environmental chemistry, geochemistry and petrology, and pollution, with notable work in civil and structural engineering and building and construction as well.

The main topics of Rafael Pérez-López's work include:

  • Mine drainage and remediation techniques
  • Geochemistry and elemental analysis
  • Coal and its by-products
  • Heavy metals in environment
  • Arsenic contamination and mitigation
  • Thallium and Germanium studies
  • Tailings management and properties

Their recent papers cover environmental impacts and sustainable management methods in mining and industrial waste contexts. These include:

  • Mine waters as a secondary source of rare earth elements worldwide: The case of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, 2021, Journal of Geochemical Exploration
  • Phosphogypsum weathering and implications for pollutant discharge into an estuary, 2022, Journal of Hydrology
  • Eco-sustainable passive treatment for mine waters: Full-scale and long-term demonstration, 2020, Journal of Environmental Management
  • Design and optimization of sustainable passive treatment systems for phosphogypsum leachates in an orphan disposal site, 2020, Journal of Environmental Management
  • Evidence of rare earth elements origin in acid mine drainage from the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain), 2023, Ore Geology Reviews

Rafael Pérez-López has collaborated frequently with a number of coauthors, including Francisco Macías, Carlos Ruiz Cánovas, José Miguel Nieto, Ricardo Millán-Becerro, and M. Dolores Basallote.

Their publications are often found in leading venues such as:

  • SSRN Electronic Journal
  • The Science of The Total Environment
  • Journal of Environmental Management
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Geogaceta

Their body of work highlights an interdisciplinary approach combining field research, chemical analysis, and applied environmental management strategies aimed at addressing complex challenges in mine drainage, pollutant control, and the recovery of critical elements from industrial waste streams.

Best Publications

  • Mineral sequestration of CO2 by aqueous carbonation of coal combustion fly-ash

    German Montes-Hernandez;R. Pérez-Lopez;R. Pérez-Lopez;François Renard;François Renard;J.M. Nieto

  • Recovery of Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium from Passive-Remediation Systems of Acid Mine Drainage

    Carlos Ayora;Francisco Macías;Ester Torres;Alba Lozano

  • Changes in mobility of hazardous elements during coal combustion in Santa Catarina power plant (Brazil)

    Dino Quispe;Rafael Pérez-López;Rafael Pérez-López;Luis F.O. Silva;José M. Nieto

  • Changes in mobility of toxic elements during the production of phosphoric acid in the fertilizer industry of Huelva (SW Spain) and environmental impact of phosphogypsum wastes

    Rafael Pérez-López;Antonio M. Álvarez-Valero;José Miguel Nieto

  • Pollutant flows from a phosphogypsum disposal area to an estuarine environment: An insight from geochemical signatures.

    Rafael Pérez-López;Francisco Macías;Carlos Ruiz Cánovas;Aguasanta Miguel Sarmiento

  • Dynamics of contaminants in phosphogypsum of the fertilizer industry of Huelva (SW Spain): From phosphate rock ore to the environment

    Rafael Pérez-López;Rafael Pérez-López;José Miguel Nieto;Israel López-Coto;Juan Luis Aguado

  • Use of sequential extraction procedure for assessing the environmental impact at regional scale of the São Domingos Mine (Iberian Pyrite Belt)

    Rafael Pérez-López;Antonio M. Álvarez-Valero;Antonio M. Álvarez-Valero;José Miguel Nieto;Reinaldo Sáez

  • Carbonation of alkaline paper mill waste to reduce CO2 greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere

    R. Pérez-López;R. Pérez-López;G. Montes-Hernandez;J.M. Nieto;F. Renard;F. Renard

  • Valorization of wastes from the fertilizer industry: Current status and future trends

    Carlos Ruiz Cánovas;Francisco Macías;Rafael Pérez-López;María Dolores Basallote

  • Procedure to use phosphogypsum industrial waste for mineral CO2 sequestration

    C. Cárdenas-Escudero;V. Morales-Flórez;R. Pérez-López;R. Pérez-López;A. Santos

  • Fractionation and fluxes of metals and radionuclides during the recycling process of phosphogypsum wastes applied to mineral CO2 sequestration

    M. Contreras;R. Pérez-López;M.J. Gázquez;V. Morales-Flórez

  • Potential environmental impact at São Domingos mining district (Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Iberian Peninsula): evidence from a chemical and mineralogical characterization

    A. M. Álvarez-Valero;R. Pérez-López;J. Matos;M. A. Capitán

  • Leaching of potential hazardous elements of coal cleaning rejects.

    Luis F. O. Silva;Maria Izquierdo;Xavier Querol;Robert B. Finkelman

  • Enrichment of rare earth elements as environmental tracers of contamination by acid mine drainage in salt marshes: a new perspective.

    Joaquín Delgado;Rafael Pérez-López;Rafael Pérez-López;Laura Galván;José Miguel Nieto

  • Rare earth element geochemistry of sulphide weathering in the São Domingos mine area (Iberian Pyrite Belt): A proxy for fluid–rock interaction and ancient mining pollution

    Rafael Pérez-López;Rafael Pérez-López;Joaquín Delgado;José Miguel Nieto;Belén Márquez-García

  • Utilization of fly ash to improve the quality of the acid mine drainage generated by oxidation of a sulphide-rich mining waste: Column experiments

    Rafael Pérez-López;José Miguel Nieto;Gabriel Ruiz de Almodóvar

  • Evaluation of heavy metal bio-availability from Almagrera pyrite-rich tailings dam (Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain) based on a sequential extraction procedure

    Antonio M. Álvarez-Valero;Antonio M. Álvarez-Valero;Reinaldo Sáez;Rafael Pérez-López;Rafael Pérez-López;Joaquín Delgado

  • Management strategies and valorization for waste sludge from active treatment of extremely metal-polluted acid mine drainage: A contribution for sustainable mining

    Francisco Macías;Rafael Pérez-López;Manuel A. Caraballo;Carlos R. Cánovas

  • From highly polluted Zn-rich acid mine drainage to non-metallic waters: Implementation of a multi-step alkaline passive treatment system to remediate metal pollution

    Francisco Macías;Manuel A. Caraballo;Manuel A. Caraballo;Tobias S. Rötting;Rafael Pérez-López;Rafael Pérez-López

  • The potential role of aluminium hydroxysulphates in the removal of contaminants in acid mine drainage

    Sergio Carrero;Rafael Pérez-López;Alejandro Fernandez-Martinez;Alejandro Fernandez-Martinez;Pablo Cruz-Hernández

Frequent Co-Authors

José Miguel Nieto
José Miguel Nieto University of Huelva
Carlos Ayora
Carlos Ayora Spanish National Research Council
Claudio Marchesi
Claudio Marchesi University of Granada
Carlos J. Garrido
Carlos J. Garrido Spanish National Research Council
François Renard
François Renard University of Oslo
Laurent Charlet
Laurent Charlet Grenoble Alpes University
Jordi Cama
Jordi Cama Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research
Luis F.O. Silva
Luis F.O. Silva University of Lima
Marcos L.S. Oliveira
Marcos L.S. Oliveira Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Jesús D. de la Rosa
Jesús D. de la Rosa University of Huelva

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

For students interested in Environmental Sciences, understanding related fields can broaden career opportunities. Public administration plays a critical role in environmental policy and resource management. Those looking to advance quickly might consider the easiest online MPA programs, which offer flexible pathways to leadership roles in government and non-profits.

Social issues often intersect with environmental challenges. A strong foundation in human behavior and societal trends can be gained through a best online sociology bachelor degree program, complementing an environmental sciences background for careers in community planning or advocacy.

For those aiming to influence education policy or lead environmental education initiatives, advanced degrees like online education doctorates are valuable. Several education doctoral programs without dissertation offer more accessible routes for professionals seeking doctoral credentials without a lengthy dissertation process.

Additionally, educators with existing master's degrees can explore EdS to EdD bridge programs online, enabling them to continue their academic growth while balancing professional commitments. These pathways highlight the diverse academic options linked to environmental sciences careers.

Best Scientists Citing Rafael Pérez-López

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles