Professor Yong Sik Ok

Adjunct Professor

His academic background covers waste management, the bioavailability of emerging contaminants, and bioenergy and value-added products (such as biochar). Professor Ok also has experience in fundamental soil science and the remediation of various contaminants in soils and sediments. Together with graduate students and colleagues, Professor Ok has published over 600 research papers, 85 of which have been ranked as Web of Science ESI top papers (78 nominated as “highly cited papers” [HCPs] and 7 nominated as “hot papers”) since 2009. He has been a Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher (HCR) since 2018. In 2019, he became the first Korean to be selected as an HCR in the field of Environment and Ecology. He maintains a worldwide professional network through his service as an Editor (former Co-Editor) of the Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, and Editor of the Environmental Pollution and as a member of the editorial boards of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Chemical Engineering Journal, Chemosphere, and Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, along with several other top journals. Professor Ok has served in a number of positions worldwide including as an honorary professor at the University of Queensland (Australia), visiting professor at Tsinghua University (China), adjunct professor at the University of Wuppertal (Germany), and guest professor at Ghent University (Belgium). He currently serves as Director of the Sustainable Waste Management Program for the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). He has served as chairman of numerous major conferences such as Engineering Sustainable Development 2019, organized by the APRU and the Institute for Sustainability of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).

Selected Publications

Bank, M.S., Ok, Y.S., Swarzenski, P.W. (2020). Microplastic’s role in antibiotic resistance. Science, 369 (6509): 1315
You, S., Sonne, C., Ok, Y.S.* (2020). COVID-19’s unsustainable waste management. Science. 368 (6498): 1438. (*Corresponding Author)
Hou, D., O’Connor, D., Igalavithana, A.D., Alessi, D.S., Luo, J., Tsang, D.C.W., Sparks, D.L., Yamauchi, Y., Rinklebe, J., Ok, Y.S.* (2020). Metal contamination and bioremediation of agricultural soils for food safety and sustainability. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 1: 366-381 (* Corresponding Author)
H. Lim, K. Kani, J. Henzie, T. Nagaura, A. S. Nugraha, M. Iqbal, Y. S. Ok, Md. S. A. Hossain, Y. Bando, K. Wu, H.-J. Kim, A. E. Rowan, J. Na., Yamauchi, Y. (2020). A Universal Approach for the Synthesis of Mesoporous Gold, Palladium and Platinum Films for Applications in Electrocatalysis. Nature Protocols, 15:2980-3008
O’Connor, D., Hou, D., Ok, Y. S., & Lanphear, B. P. (2020). The effects of iniquitous lead exposure on health. Nature Sustainability, 3(2), 77-79.
Sonne, C., Alstrup, A.K.O., Ok, Y.S., Dietz, R., Kanstrup, N. (2019). Time to ban lead hunting accumulation. Science, 366 (6468): 961-962.
Hou, D., O’Connor, D., Sonne, C., Ok, Y.S.* (2019). Trade war threatens sustainability. Science, 364 (6447): 1242-1243. (*Corresponding Author)
Hou, D. and Ok, Y.S.*(2019). Speed up mapping of soil pollution. Nature, 566, 455. (*Corresponding Author)
Kankala, R.K., Han, Y.H., Na, J., Lee, C.H., Sun, Z., Wang, S.B., Kimura, T., Ok, Y.S., Yamauchi, Y., Chen, A.Z., Wu, K.C.W. (2020). Nanoartitectured Structure and Surface Biofunctionality of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Advanced Materials. 1907035.
Dissanayake, P. D., Choi, S. W., Igalavithana, A. D., Yang, X., Tsang, D. C. W., Wang, C. H., Kua, H. W., Lee, K. B., & Ok, Y. S.* (2020). Sustainable gasification biochar as a high-efficiency adsorbent for CO₂ capture: A facile method to designer biochar fabrication. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 124, 109785. (*Corresponding author).
Zhang M., Song G., Gelardi D.L., Huang L., Khan E., Mašek O., Parikh S.J., Ok Y.S.* (2020). Evaluating biochar and its modifications for the removal of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate in water. Water Research, 186: 116303 (*Corresponding Author)
Zhao W., Chen Z., Yang X., Qian X., Liu C., Zhou D., Sun T., Zhang M., Wei G., Dissanayake P.D., Ok Y.S.* (2020). Recent advances in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with high-performance catalysis without precious metals. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 132: 110040 (*Corresponding Author)
Yu, I.K.M., Tsang, D.C.W., Yip, A.C.K., Hunt, A.J., Sherwood, J., Shang, J., Song, H., Ok, Y.S.*, Poon, C.S. (2018). Propylene carbonate and γ-valerolactone as green solvents enhance Sn (IV)-catalysed hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) production from bread waste. Green Chemistry, 20: 2064-2074. (*Corresponding author).
Cao, L., Dai, P., Tang, J., Li, D., Chen, R., Liu, D., Gu, X., Li, L., Bando, Y., Ok, Y.S., Zhao, X. (2020). Spherical Superstructure of Boron Nitride Nanosheets Derived from Boron-Containing Metal-Organic Framework. Journal of American Chemical Society. (Published online: 28 March 2020)
Shaheen, S. M., Niazi, N. K., Hassan, N. E. E., Bibi, I., Wang, H., Tsang, D. C. W., Ok, Y. S., Bolan, N., & Rinklebe, J. (2019). Wood-based biochar for the removal of potentially toxic elements in water and wastewater: a critical review. International Materials Reviews, 64(4), 216-247.
Rajapaksha, A. U., Vithanage, M., Ok, Y. S., & Oze, C. (2013). Cr(VI) formation related to Cr(III)-muscovite and birnessite interactions in ultramafic environments. Environmental Science and Technology, 47(17), 9722-9729.
Qin, Y., Li, G., Gao, Y., Zhang, L., Ok, Y. S., & An, T. (2018). Persistent free radicals in carbon-based materials on the transformation of refractory organic contaminants (ROCs) in water: A critical review. Water Research, 137, 130-143.
Alam, M. S., Gorman-Lewis, D., Chen, N., Flynn, S. L., Ok, Y. S., Konhauser, K. O., & Alessi, D. S. (2018). Thermodynamic Analysis of Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Adsorption to Biochar. Environmental Science and Technology, 52(11), 6246-6255.
Dissanayake, P. D., You, S., Igalavithana, A. D., Xia, Y., Bhatnagar, A., Gupta, S., Kua, H. W., Kim, S., Kwon, J. H., Tsang, D. C. W., & Ok, Y. S.* (2020). Biochar-based adsorbents for carbon dioxide capture: A critical review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 119, 109582. (*Corresponding author).
Van Ginkel, S. W., Hassan, S. H. A., Ok, Y. S., Yang, J. E., Kim, Y. S., & Oh, S. E. (2011). Detecting oxidized contaminants in water using sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Environmental Science and Technology, 45(8), 3739-3745

Highly Cited Papers (Data from Essential Science Indicators. As of 20^th September 2020, these highly cited papers received enough citations to place them in the top of the academic fields of engineering, environment/ ecology, biology and biochemistry, and agricultural science based on a highly cited threshold for the field and publication year)

Ahmad, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Lim, J.E., Zhang, M., Bolan, N., Mohan, D., Vithanage, M., Lee, S.S. and Ok, Y.S.* (2014). Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: A review. Chemosphere, 99:19-33 (*Corresponding Author)
Mohan, D., Sarswat, A., Ok, Y.S. and Pittman, C.U. (2014). Organic and inorganic contaminants removal from water with biochar, a renewable, low cost and sustainable adsorbent-A critical review. Bioresource Technology, 160:191-202
Ahmad, M., Lee, S.S., Dou, X., Mohan, D., Sung, J.K., Yang, J.E. and Ok, Y.S.* (2012). Effects of pyrolysis temperature on soybean stover- and peanut shell-derived biochar properties and TCE adsorption in water. Bioresource Technology, 118:536-544 (*Corresponding Author)
Rajapaksha, A.U., Chen, S.S., Tsang, D.C.W., Zhang, M., Vithanage, M., Mandal, S., Gao, B., Bolan, N.S. and Ok, Y.S.* (2016). Engineered/designer biochar for contaminant removal/immobilization from soil and water: Potential and implication of biochar modification. Chemosphere, 148:276-291 (*Corresponding Author)
Inyang, M.I., Gao, B., Yao, Y., Xue, Y., Zimmerman, A., Mosa, A., Pullammanappallil, P., Ok, Y.S. and Cao, X. (2016). A review of biochar as a low-cost adsorbent for aqueous heavy metal removal. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 46(4):406-433
Yang, Y., Ok, Y.S., Kim, K.H., Kwon, E.E., Tsang, Y.F. (2017). Occurrences and removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PCPPs) in drinking water and water/sewage treatment plants: A Review. Science of the Total Environment, 596: 303-320.
Stefaniuk, M., Oleszczuk, P. and Ok, Y.S. (2016). Review on nano zerovalent iron (nZVI): From synthesis to environmental applications. Chemical Engineering Journal, 287:618-632
Park, J.H., Ok, Y.S., Kim, S.H., Cho, J.S., Heo, J.S., Delaune, R.D. and Seo, D.C. (2016) Competitive adsorption of heavy metals onto sesame straw biochar in aqueous solutions. Chemosphere, 142:77-83
Lu, K., Yang, X., Gielen, G., Bolan, N., Ok, Y.S., Niazi, N.K., Xu, S., Yuan, G., Chen, X., Zhang, X., Liu, D., Song, Z., Liu, X. and Wang, H. (2017). Effect of bamboo and rice straw biochars on the mobility and redistribution of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in contaminated soil. Journal of Environmental Management, 186(2):285-292
Antoniadis, V., Levizou, E., Shaheen, S.M., Ok, Y.S., Sebastian, A., Baum, C., Prasad, M.N.V., Wenzel, W.W., Rinklebe, J. (2017). Trace Elements in the soil-plant interface: Phytoavailability, translocation, and phytoremediation-A Review. Earth Science Reviews 171: 621-645.
Rizwan, M., Ali, S., Abbas, T., Zia-ur-Rehman, M., Hannan, F., Keller, C., Al-Wabel, M.I. and Ok, Y.S. (2016). Cadmium minimization in wheat: A critical review. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 130:43-53
Xiong, X., Yu, I.K.M., Cao, L., Tsang, D.C.W., Zhang, S. and Ok, Y.S.* (2017) A review of biochar-based catalysts for chemical synthesis, biofuel production, and pollution control. Bioresource Technology, 246:254-270 (*Corresponding Author)
Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Ahmad, M., Seo, D.C., Cho, J.S., Lee, S.E., Lee, S.S. and Ok, Y.S.* (2015). Enhanced sulfamethazine removal by steam-activated invasive plant-derived biochar. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 290:43-50 (*Corresponding Author)
Abbas, T., Rizwan, M., Ali, S., Zia-ur-Rehman, M., Qayyum, M.F., Abbas, F., Hannan, F., Rinklebe, J. and Ok, Y.S. (2017). Effect of biochar on cadmium bioavailability and uptake in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in a soil with aged contamination. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 140:37-47
Rizwan, M., Ali, S., Qayyum, M.F., Ok, Y.S., Adrees, M., Ibrahim, M, Zia-ur-Rehman, M., Farid, M. and Abbas, F. (2017). Effect of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles on growth and physiology of globally important food crops: A critical review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 322:2-16
Choppala, G., Saifullah, Bolan, N., Bibi, S., Iqbal, M., Rengel, Z., Kunhikrishnan, A., Ashwath, N. and Ok, Y.S. (2014). Cellular mechanisms in higher plants governing tolerance to cadmium toxicity. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 33:374-391
Rizwan, M., Ali, S., Adrees, M., Ibrahim, M., Tsang, D.C.W., Zia-ur-Rehman, M., Zahir, Z.A., Rinklebe, J., Tack, F.M.G. and Ok, Y.S.* (2017). A critical review on effects, tolerance mechanisms and management of cadmium in vegetables. Chemosphere, 182:90-105 (*Corresponding Author)
Hussain, M., Farooq, M., Nawaz, A., Al-Sadi, A.M., Solaiman, Z.M., Alghamdi, S.S., Ammara, U., Ok, Y.S. and Siddique, K.H.M. (2017) Biochar for crop production: Potential benefits and risks. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 17:685-716
Yang, X., Wan, Y., Zheng, Y., He, F., Yu, Z., Huang, J., Wang, H., Ok, Y., Jiang, Y. and Gao, B. (2019). Surface functional groups of carbon-based adsorbents and their roles in the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions: A critical review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 366:608-621
Sun, Y., Yu, I.K.M., Tsang, D.C.W., Cao, X., Lin, D., Wang, L., Graham, N.J.D., Alessi, D.S., Komarek, M., Ok, Y.S.*, Feng, Y. and Li, X.D. (2019). Multifunctional iron-biochar composites for the removal of potentially toxic elements, inherent cations, and hetero-chloride from hydraulic fracturing wastewater. Environment International, 124:521-532. (*Corresponding Author)
Fang, J., Zhan, L., Ok, Y.S. and Gao, B. (2017) Minireview of potential applications of hydrochar derived from hydrothermal carbonization of biomass. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 57: 15-21
Ali, S., Rizwan, M., Qayyum, M.F., Ok, Y.S., Ibrahim, M., Riaz, M., Arif, M.S., Hafeez, F., Al-Wabel, M.I. and Shahzad, A.N. (2017). Biochar soil amendment on alleviation of drought and salt stress in plants: a critical review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(14):12700-12712
Chen, S.S., Maneerung, T., Tsang, D.C.W., Ok, Y.S and Wang, C.H. (2017). Valorization of biomass to hydroxymethylfurfural, levulinic acid, and fatty acid methyl ester by heterogeneous catalysts. Chemical Engineering Journal, 328:246-273
Beiyuan, J., Awad, Y.M., Beckers, F., Tsang, D.C.W., Ok, Y.S. and Rinklebe, J. (2017) Mobility and phytoavailability of As and Pb in a contaminated soil using pine sawdust biochar under systematic change of redox conditions. Chemosphere, 178:110-118.
Rehman, M.Z., Rizwan, M., Ali, S., Fatima, N., Yousaf, B., Naeem, A., Sabir, M., Ahmad, H.R. and Ok, Y.S. (2016) Contrasting effects of biochar, compost and farm manure on alleviation of nickel toxicity in maize (Zea mays L.) in relation to plant growth, photosynthesis and metal uptake. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 133:218-225
Ok, Y.S., Chang, S.X., Gao, B. and Chung, H.J. (2015) SMART biochar technology-A shifting paradigm towards advanced materials and healthcare research. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 4:206-209
El-Naggar, A’, Lee, S.S., Rinklebe, J., Farooq, M., Song, H., Sarmah, A.K., Zimmerman, A.R., Ahmad, M., Shaheen, S.M. and Ok, Y.S.* (2019). Biochar application to low fertility soils: A review of current status, and future prospects. Geoderma, 337: 536-554. (* Corresponding author)
Igalavithana, A.D., Lee, S.E., Lee, Y.H., Tsang, D.C., Rinklebe, J., Kwon, E.E. and Ok, Y.S.* (2017). Heavy metal immobilization and microbial community abundance by vegetable waste and pine cone biochar of agricultural soils. Chemosphere, 174:593-603 (*Corresponding Author)
Niazi, N.K., Bibi, I., Shahid, M., Ok, Y.S., Burton, E.D., Wang, H.I., Shaheen, S.M., Rinklebe, J., Luttge, A. (2018). Arsenic Removal by Perilla Leaf Biochar in Aqueous Solutions and Groundwater: An Integrated Spectroscopic and Microscopic Examination. Environmental Pollution 232: 31-41.
Ahmad M., Lee, S.S., Lee, S.E., Al-Wabel, M.I., Tsang, D.C.W. and Ok, Y.S.* (2017) Biochar-induced changes in soil properties affected immobilization/mobilization of metals/metalloids in contaminated soils. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 17:717-730 (*Corresponding Author)
Vikrant, K., Kim, K.H., Ok, Y.S.*, Tsang, D.C.W., Tsang, Y.F., Giri, B.S. and Singh, R.S. (2017) Engineered/designer biochar for the removal of phosphate in water and wastewater. Science of The Total Environment, 616-617:1242-1260 (*Corresponding Author)
Sarkar, B., Mandal, S., Tsang, Y.F., Kumar, P., Kim, K.H. and Ok, Y.S.* (2018). Designer carbon nanotubes for contaminant removal in water and wastewater: A critical review. Science of the Total Environment, 612:561-581 (*Corresponding Author)
Yuan, Y., Bolan, N., Prevoteau, A., Vithanage, M., Biswas, J.K., Ok, Y.S., Wang, H.L. (2017). Applications of biochar in redox-mediated reactions. Bioresource Technology, 246: 271-281
Lee, J., Yang, X., Cho, S.H., Kim, J.K., Lee, S.S., Tsang, D.C.W., Ok, Y.S.* and Kwon, E.E. (2017). Pyrolysis process of agricultural waste using CO₂ for waste management, energy recovery, and biochar fabrication. Applied Energy, 185:214-222 (*Corresponding Author)
Ahmad, M., Ok, Y.S.*, Rajapaksha, A.U., Lim, J.E., Kim, B.Y., Ahn, J.H., Lee, Y.H., Al-Wabel, M.I., Lee, S.E. and Lee, S.S. (2016). Lead and copper immobilization in a shooting range soil using soybean stover- and pine needle-derived biochars: Chemical, microbial and spectroscopic assessments. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 301:179-186 (*Corresponding Author)
Rizwan, M., Ali, S., Rehman, M.Z., Rinklebe, J., Tsang, D.C.W., Bashir, A., Maqbool, A., Tack, F. M. G., Ok, Y.S.*. (2018). Cadmium phytoremediation potential of Brassica crop species: A review. 631-632: 1175-1191. Science of The Total Environment (*Corresponding author)
Rajapaksha, A. U., Alam, M.S., Chen N., Alessi D. S., Igalavithana, A.D., Tsang, D.C.W., Ok, Y.S.* (2018) Removal of hexavalent chromium in aqueous solutions using biochar: Chemical and spectroscopic investigations. Science of the Total Environment, 612:103-110 (*Corresponding author)
Wang, L., Cho, D.-W., Tsang, D.C.W., Cao, X., Hou, D., Shen, Z., Alessi, D.S., Ok, Y.S., Poon, C.S. (2019). Green remediation of As and Pb contaminated soil using cement-free clay-based stabilization/solidification. Environment International. 126:336-345
Qin, Y.X., Li, G.Y., Gao, Y.P., Zhang, L.Z., Ok, Y.S., An, T.C. (2018). Persistent free radicals in carbon-based materials on transformation of refractory organic contaminants (rocs) in water: A critical review. Water Research, 137: 130-143
Yu, I.K.M., Xiong, X., Tsang, D.C.W., Wang, L., Hunt, A.J., Song, H., Shang, J., Ok, Y.S. and Poon, C.S. (2018). Aluminium-Biochar Composites as Sustainable Heterogeneous Catalysts for Glucose Isomerisation in a Biorefinery. Green Chemistry, 21:1267-1281
Shaheen, S.M., Niazi, N.K., Hassan, N.E., Bibi, I., Wang, H., Tsang, D.C., Ok, Y.S., Bolan, N. and Rinklebe, J., (2018). Wood-based biochar for the removal of potentially toxic elements in water and wastewater: a critical review. International Materials Reviews, 64 (4): 216-247
El-Naggar, A., Leed, S.S., Awad, Y.M., Yang, X., Ryu, C., Rizwang, M., Rinklebeh, J., Tsangj, D.C.W., Ok, Y.S.* (2018). Influence of soil properties and feedstocks on biochar potential for carbon mineralization and improvement of infertile soils. Geoderma, 332: 100-108 (*Corresponding author)
El-Naggar, Ali, Shaheen, S.M., Ok, Y.S.* and Rinklebe, J. (2018). Biochar affects the dissolved and colloidal concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn and their phytoavailability and potential mobility in a mining soil under dynamic redox conditions. Science of The Total Environment, 624, 1059-1071 (* Corresponding author)
Yoo, J.C., Beiyuan, J., Wang, L., Tsang, D.C.W., Baek, K., Bolan, N.S., Ok, Y.S. and Li, X.D. (2017) A combination of ferric nitrate/EDDS-enhanced washing and sludge-derived biochar stabilization of metal-contaminated soils. Science of The Total Environment, 616-617:572-582
Cao, L.C., Yu, I.K.M., Liu, Y.Y., Ruan, X.X., Tsang, D.C.W., Hunt, A.J., Ok, Y.S., Song, H., Zhang, S.C. (2018). Lignin Valorization for the production of renewable chemicals: State-of-threat review and future prospects. Bioresource Technology, 269: 465-475.
Niazi, N.K., Bibi, I., Shahid, M., Ok, Y.S., Shaheen, S.M., Rinklebe, J., Wang, H., Murtaza, B., Islam, E., Nawaz, M.F. and Lüttge, A. (2017). Arsenic removal by Japanese oak wood biochar in aqueous solutions and well water: Investigating arsenic fate using integrated spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Science of the Total Environment 621:1642-1651
Nie, C.R., Yang, X., Niazi, N.K., Xu, X.Y., Wen, Y.H., Rinklebe, J., Ok, Y.S., Xu, S., Wang, H.L. (2018). Impact of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar on heavy metal availability and microbial activity: A field study. Chemosphere, 200:274-282.
Rai, P.K., Lee, J., Kailasa, S.K., Kwon, E.E., Tsang, Y.F., Ok, Y.S. and Kim, K.H. (2018) A critical review of ferrate (VI)-based remediation of soil and groundwater. Environmental Research, 160, 420-448
Zou, W., Gao, B., Ok, Y.S. and Dong, L. (2019). Integrated adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using carbon-based nanocomposites: A critical review. Chemosphere. 218. 845-859.
Wang, S., Zhao, M., Zhou, M., Li, Y.C., Wang, J., Gao, B., Feng, K., Igalavithana, I.D., Oleszczuk, P., Wang, X., Ok, Y.S.* (2019). Biochar-Supported nZVI (nZVI/BC) for Contaminant Removal from Soil and Water: A Critical Review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 373: 820-834 (*Corresponding author).
O’Connor, D., Hou, D., Ok, Y. S., Song, Y.N., Sarmah, A.K., Li, X.R., Tack, F.M.G. (2018). Sustainable in situ remediation of recalcitrant organic pollutants in groundwater with controlled release materials: A review. Journal of Controlled Release, 283:200-213
Yang, F.Zhang, S., Sun, Y., Tsang, D.C.W., Cheng, K. and Ok, Y.S. (2019). Assembling biochar with various layered double hydroxides for enhancement of phosphorus recovery. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 365: 665-673
Cao, L. Yu, I.K.M., Cho, D-W., Tsang, D.C.W., Zhang, S., Ding, S., Wang, L., Ok, Y.S. (2019). Microwave-assisted low-temperature hydrothermal treatment of red seaweed (Gracilaria lemaneiformis) for production of levulinic acid and algae hydrochar. Bioresource Technology. 273: 251-258.
Jin, Y., O'Connor, D., Ok, Y.S., Tsang, D.C.W., Liu, A. and Hou, D. (2019). Assessment of sources of heavy metals in soil and dust at children's playgrounds in Beijing using GIS and multivariate statistical analysis. Environment International. 124: 320-328.
Xiong, X.X., Yu, I.K.M., Tsang, D.C.W., Bolan, N.S., Ok, Y.S., Igalavithana, A.D., Kirkham, M.B., Kim, K.H., Vikrant, K. (2019). Value-aded chemicals fomfood supply chain wastes: State of the art review and future prospects. Chemical Engineering Journal, 375: 121983
Shen, Z., Zhang, J., Hou, D., Tsang, D.C.W., Ok, Y.S., Alessi, D.S. (2019). Synthesis of MgO-coated corncob biochar and its application in lead stabilization in a soil washing residue. Environment International, 122:357-362
Antoniadis, V., Shaheen, S.M., Levizou, E., Shahid, M., Niazi, N.K., Vithanage, M., Ok, Y.S., Bolan, N., Rinklebe, J. (2019). A critical prospective analysis of the potential toxicity of trace element regulation limits in soils worldwide: are they protective concerning health risk assessment? - a review. Environment International. 127:819-847
O’Connor, D., Hou, D., Ok, Y.S., Mulder, J., Duan, L., Wu, Q., Wang, S., Tack, F.M.G., Rinklebe, J. (2019). Mercury speciation, transformation and transportation in soils, atmospheric flux, and implications for risk management: A critical review, Environment International, 126:747-761
Palansooriya K.N., Shaheen S.M., Chen S.S., Tsang D.C.W., Hashimoto Y., Hou D., Bolan N.S., Rinklebe J., Ok Y.S. (2020). Soil amendments for immobilization of potentially toxic elements in contaminated soils: A critical review. Environment International. 134: 105046. (*Corresponding Author)
Palansooriya, K.N., Ok, Y.S., Awad, Y.M., Lee, S.S., Sung, J-K., Koutsospyros, A. and Moon D.H. (2019). Impacts of biochar application on upland agriculture: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 234: 52-64
Premarathna, K.D.S., Rajapaksha, A.U., Sarkar, B., Kwon, E.E., Bhatnagar, A., Ok, Y.S., Vithanage, M. (2019). Biochar-based engineered composites for sorptive decontamination of water: A review, Chemical Engineering Journal, 372:536-550
Dutta, S., Yu, I.K.M, Tsang, D.C.W, Ng, Y.H., Ok, Y.S., Sherwood, J., Clark, J.H. (2019). Green synthesis of gamma-valerolactone (GVL) through hydrogenation of biomass-derived levulinic acid using non-noble metal catalysts: A critical review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 372: 992-1006
Zhang, Y.H., Hou, D., O’Connor, D., Shen, Z.T., Shi, P.L., Ok, Y.S., Tsng, D.C.W., Wen, Y., Luo, M.N. (2019) Lead contamination in Chinese surface soils: Source identification, spatial-temporal distribution and associated health risks. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technoology, 49 (15): 1386-1423
Cho, DW; Yoon, K; Ahn, Y; Su, YQ; Tsang, DCW; Hou, DY; Ok, YS; Son, H. (2019). Fabrication and environmental applications of multifunctional mixed metal-biochar composites (MMBC) from red mud and lignin wastes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 374: 412-419
El-Naggar, A., El-Naggar, A.H., Shaheen, S.M., Sarkar, B., Chang, S.X., Tsang, D.C.W., Rinklebe, J., Ok, Y.S. (2019). Biochar composition-dependent impacts on soil nutrient release, carbon mineralization, and potential environmental risk: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 241:458-467
Khan, A., Szulejko, J.E., Kim, K.H., Sammadar, P., Lee, S.S., Yang, X.X. and Ok, Y.S. (2019) A comparison of figure of merit (FOM) for various materials in adsorptive removal of benzene under ambient temperature and pressure. Environmental Research, 168: 96-108.
Tsang, Y.F., Kumar, V., Smadar, P., Yang, Yi., Lee, J., Ok, Y.S., Song, H., Kim, Ki-Hyun, Kwon, E.E., Jeon, Y.J. (2019). Production of bioplastic through food waste valorization. Environment International. 119, 1-19
Premarathna, K.S.D., Rajapaksha, A.U., Adassoriya, N., Sarkar, B., Sirimuthu, N.M.S., Cooray, A., Ok, Y.S., Vithanage, M. (2019). Clay-biochar composites for sorptive removal of tetracycline antibiotic in aqueous media. Journal of Environmental Management, 238: 315-322
Khan, A., Szulejko, J.E., Samaddar, P., Kim, K-H., Liu, B., Maitlo, H.A., Yang, X. and Ok, Y.S.* (2019). The potential of biochar as sorptive media for removal of hazardous benzene in air. Chemical Engineering Journal, 361: 1576–1585 (*Corresponding Author)
Yang, X., Tsibart, A., Nam, H., Hur, J., El-Naggar, A., Tack, F.M.G., Wang, C.H., Lee, Y.H., Tsang, D.C.W., Ok, Y.S. (2019). Effect of gasification biochar application on soil quality: Trace metal behavior, microbial community, and soil dissolved organic matter. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 365: 684-694
Deng, Y., Ok, Y.S., Mohan, D., Pittman, C.U. and Dou, X. (2019). Carbamazepine removal from water by carbon dot-modified magnetic carbon nanotubes. Environmental Research, 169: 434-444.
Jia, X., O'Connor, D., Hou, D., Yuanliang, J., Li, G., Zheng, C., Ok, Y.S., Tsang, D.C.W., Luo, J. (2019). Groundwater depletion and contamination: Spatial distribution of groundwater resources sustainability in China. Science of the Total Environment, 672: 551-562
Beckers, F., Awad, Y.M., Beiyuan, J., Abrigata, J., Mothes, S., Tsang, D.C.W., Ok, Y.S., Rinklebe, J. (2019). Impact of biochar on mobilization, methylation, and ethylation of mercury under dynamic redox conditions in a contaminated floodplain soil. Environment International, 127: 276-290
El-Naggar, A., Lee, M.H., Hur, J., Lee, Y.H., Igalavithana, A.D., Shaheen, S.M., Ryu, C., Rinklebe, J., Tsang, D.C.W., Ok, Y.S. (2020) Biochar-induced metal immobilization and soil biogeochemical process: An integrated mechanistic approach. Science of the Total Environment, 698: 134112
Wang L., Hou D., Cao Y., Ok Y.S., Tack F.M.G., Rinklebe J., O'Connor D. (2020). Remediation of mercury contaminated soil, water, and air: A review of emerging materials and innovative technologies. Environment International. 134: 105281.
Mukhopadhyay, R., Bhaduri, D., Sarkar, B., Rusmin, R., Hou, D., Khanam, R., Sarkar, S., Biswas, JK., Vithanage, M., Bhatnagar, A., Ok, Y.S. (2020). Clay-polymer nanocomposites: Progress and challenges for use in sustainable water treatment, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 383: 121125
Wu Y., Xia Y., Jing X., Cai P., Igalavithana A.D., Tang C., Tsang D.C.W., Ok Y.S. (2020). Recent advances in mitigating membrane biofouling using carbon-based materials. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 382. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 382: 120976.
Igalavithana, A.D., Choi, S.W., Dissanayake, P.D., Shang, J., Wang, C.H., Yang, X., Kim, S., Tsang, D.C.W., Lee, K.B., Ok, Y.S.* (2020). Gasification biochar from biowaste (food waste and wood waste) for effective CO2 adsorption, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 391: 121147 (*Corresponding Author)

Hot papers (Data from Essential Science Indicators. These hot papers were published in the last year and received enough citations in 20^th September 2020 to place it in the top 0.1% of papers in the academic fields of Environment/Ecology and Engineering)\

Palansooriya K.N., Shaheen S.M., Chen S.S., Tsang D.C.W., Hashimoto Y., Hou D., Bolan N.S., Rinklebe J., Ok Y.S. (2020). Soil amendments for immobilization of potentially toxic elements in contaminated soils: A critical review. Environment International. 134: 105046. (*Corresponding Author)
Mao, Q.M., Zhou, Y.Y., Yang, Y.A., Zhang, J.C., Liang, L.F., Wang, H.L., Luo, S., Luo, L., Jeyakumar, P., Ok, Y.S., Rizwan, M. (2019). Experimental and theoretical aspects of biochar-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron activating H₂O₂ for ciprofloxacin removal from aqueous solution, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 391: 120848
Wang, S., Zhao, M., Zhou, M., Li, Y.C., Wang, J., Gao, B., Feng, K., Igalavithana, I.D., Oleszczuk, P., Wang, X., Ok, Y.S.* (2019). Biochar-Supported nZVI (nZVI/BC) for Contaminant Removal from Soil and Water: A Critical Review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 373: 820-834 (*Corresponding author).
Xia, S., Song, Z., Jeyakumar, P., Shaheen, S.M., Rinklebe, J., Ok, Y.S., Bolan, N. and Wang, H. (2019). A critical review on bioremediation technologies for Cr (VI)-contaminated soils and wastewater. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 49(12):1028-1078
Yang, X., Wan, Y., Zheng, Y., He, F., Yu, Z., Huang, J., Wang, H., Ok, Y., Jiang, Y., Gao, B. (2019). Surface functional groups of carbon-based adsorbents and their roles in the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions: A critical review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 366:608-621
Sun, Y., Yu, I.K.M., Tsang, D.C.W., Cao, X., Lin, D., Wang, L., Graham, N.J.D., Alessi, D.S., Komarek, M., Ok, Y.S.*, Feng, Y. and Li, X.D. (2019). Multifunctional iron-biochar composites for the removal of potentially toxic elements, inherent cations, and hetero-chloride from hydraulic fracturing wastewater. Environment International. 124:521-532. (*Corresponding Author)
El-Naggar, A’, Lee, S.S., Rinklebe, J., Farooq, M., Song, H., Sarmah, A.K., Zimmerman, A.R., Ahmad, M., Shaheen, S.M. and Ok, Y.S.* (2019) Biochar application to low fertility soils: A review of current status, and future prospects. Geoderma, 337: 536-554. (*Corresponding author).