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Abhas Singh
PhD (Washington University)
Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
Research Interest
Environmental geochemistry of heavy metals and inorganic contaminants, Investigate physical and chemical processes such as adsorption, precipitation, and reduction-oxidation occurring at mineral-water-microbial interfaces, and relate them to larger scales, Predict inorganic contaminant fate and transport through surface complexation and flow-through reactor modeling, Develop tools to target contaminant remediation in natural as well as engineered environments.
Office
FB-306,
Department of Civil Engineering
IIT Kanpur,
Kanpur 208016
Specialization
Environmental Engineering
Education
PhD, Washington University in Saint Louis, U.S.A., 2010
Ph.D. coursework in Chemical Engineering (enrolled directly after B.Tech.) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, India, 2005
B.Tech., IIT Bombay, India, 1999
Teaching Area
Courses (UG/PG) taught
UG, Computational Methods in Engineering (ESO 208A), Environmental Quality and Pollution (CE311A)
Courses (UG/PG) taught
PG, Physicochemical Principles and Processes (CE 664A), Surface Water Quality Modeling (CE 760A), Solid-Water Interfacial Processes (CE 767B), Subsurface Contaminant Fate and Transport (CE 761B), Environmental Quality and Pollution Monitoring Techniques (CE 668A)
Current Teaching
New courses introduced
Solid-Water Interfacial Processes (modular PG) Spring 2018 Surface Water Quality Modeling (modular PG) Spring 2016 Subsurface Contaminant Fate and Transport (modular PG) Spring 2014Professional Affiliations
American Chemical Society (ACS) 2007 - Present
Geochemical Society 2012 - Present
Water Environment Federation (WEF) 12/2005 - 02/2009
Selected Publications
Journal PapersBhattacharya, M., Shriwastav A., Bhole S., Silori, R., Mansfeldt, T., Kretzschmar R., and Singh A. (2020) Processes governing chromium contamination of groundwater and soil from a chromium waste source. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry 4, 35-39.
Pokhara P.#, Ekamparam A.S.S.#, Gupta, A.B., Rai, D.C. and Singh A. (2019) Activated alumina sludge as partial substitute for fine aggregates in brick making. Construction and Building Materials 221, 244-252. (# indicates joint first authors)
Prem Anand M., Hariharan V.C., Shankar, H., Singh A., and Matheshwaran, S. (2019) Genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis strain IITK SM1, isolated from kitchen waste compost. Microbiology Resource Announcements 8(6), e01330-18
Choudhary, B., Paul, D., Singh A., and Gupta, T. (2017) Removal of hexavalent chromium upon interaction with biochar under acidic conditions: mechanistic insights and application. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24(20), 16786-16797
Matern K., Weigand H., Singh A., and Mansfeldt T. (2017) Environmental status of groundwater affected by Chromite Ore Processing Residue (COPR) dumpsites during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24(4), 3582-3592.
Singh A., Catalano J.G., Ulrich K.-U., and Giammar D.E. (2012) Molecular-scale structure of uranium(VI) immobilized with goethite and phosphate. Environmental Science & Technology 46(12), 6594-6603.
Singh A., Ulrich K.-U., and Giammar D. E. (2010) Impact of phosphate on U(VI) immobilization in the presence of goethite. GeochimicaetCosmochimicaActa 74(22), 6324-6343.
Zeng H., Singh A., Basak S., Ulrich K.-U., Sahu M., Biswas P., Catalano J.G., and Giammar D.E. (2009) Nanoscale size effects on uranium(VI) adsorption to hematite. Environmental Science & Technology 43(5), 1373-1378.
Ulrich K.U., Singh A., Schofield E.J., Bargar J.R., Veeramani H., Sharp J., Bernier-Latmani R., and Giammar D.E. (2008) Dissolution of biogenic and synthetic UO2 under varied reducing conditions. Environmental Science & Technology 42(15), 5600-5606.
Awards & Fellowships
IIT Kanpur teaching citation for Environmental Quality and Pollution Monitoring Techniques course taught in 2018-19-II
Implementation of biodegradable waste segregation at source and composting for residential campus of IIT Kanpur featured on World Environment Day Jun5, 2019 https://youtu.be/a-U01NkAUx4 2019
2nd Outstanding Oral Presentation, Bandyopadhyay, T. and Singh, A. Removal of hexavalent chromium from groundwater using electrocoagulation. National Environmental Conference (NEC) IIT Bombay, Diamond Jubilee Year, Jan 2019
IIT Kanpur teaching citation for Physicochemical Principles and Processes course taught in 2018-19-I, 2016-17-I, 2015-16-I 2016, 17, 19
Student Travel Grant for Aravinth Subramaniam, 28th Goldschmidt Conference, August, Boston, MA, USA Year 2018.
Best Poster Award, Nilling, J.J., Verma, A., and Singh, A. Geochemical analysis of arsenic speciation in groundwater, In house symposium, Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, IIT Kanpur. 2018
IITK teaching citation for Surface Water Quality Modeling course taught in 2017-18-II
4th Best Poster Award, Nilling, J.J., Verma, A., and Singh, A. Geochemical analysis of arsenic speciation in groundwater, 7th International Ground Water Conference, New Delhi. 2017
IITK teaching citation for Advanced Topics in Environmental Eng: Contaminant Fate and Transport in the Subsurface course module taught in 2013-14-II
Competitive beamtime awarded on XAFS study of the effect of phosphate on uranium immobilization mechanisms in uranium(VI)-phosphate-iron(III) oxide systems for access to Synchrotron Facility, Advanced Photon Source, Chicago, USA. 2009-10
Student Travel Fellowship, 4th Annual Department of Energy (DOE)- Environmental Remediation Sciences Program (ERSP) PI meeting, VA, USA 2009
The ENVIRSAN Scholarship for pursuing Ph.D. in the Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering. 2005-06
National Talent Search Scholarship through a nationwide multi-stage exam, National Council of Educational Research and Training (India) 1993–99
Conference Presentations
Refereed Conference PapersNilling, J.J., Verma, A., and Singh, A. (2019) Potential solubility and sorption controls on arsenic in the presence of elevated dissolved iron. 29th Goldschmidt Conference, August, Barcelona, Spain. Oral presentation
Verma, A., Nilling, J.J., and Singh, A. (2019) As(V) reduction to As(III) in the presence of chloride in ambient conditions. 29th Goldschmidt Conference, August, Barcelona, Spain. Poster presentation
Cornet, M., Fitoussi, C., Singh, A., and Bourdon, B. (2019) Cr isotopes as tracers for environmental contamination: a field study in the Kanpur area, India. 29th Goldschmidt Conference, August, Barcelona, Spain. Poster presentation
Bhattacharya, M. and Singh, A. (2019) Colloidal transport of hexavalent chromium in groundwater. 257th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Spring, Orlando, FL, USA, GEOC 37 Oral presentation
Bhattacharya, M. and Singh, A. (2019) Extent and rates of chromium (VI) leaching from weathered chromium ore processing residue (COPR)-impacted soils. 257th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Spring, Orlando, FL, USA, ENVR 59 Oral presentation
Bandyopadhyay, T. and Singh, A. (2019) Removal of hexavalent chromium from groundwater using electrocoagulation. National Environmental Conference (NEC) IIT Bombay Diamond Jubilee Year, January, Mumbai, India. p6 Oral pptn
Mohapatra, A.K., Sujathan, S., and Singh, A. (2019) Mechanism of fluorite dissolution due to interaction of manganese and carbonate in Indian groundwater aquifers. National Environmental Conference (NEC) IIT Bombay Diamond Jubilee Year, January, Mumbai, India. p5 Oral presentation
Nilling, J.J., Verma, A., and Singh, A. (2019) Geochemical analysis of arsenic contaminated groundwater of Baikunthpur (Uttar Pradesh), India. National Environmental Conference (NEC) IIT Bombay Diamond Jubilee Year, January, Mumbai, India. p3 Oral presentation
Sujathan, S., Mohapatra, A.K., and Singh, A. (2019) Investigation of processes governing uranium mobilization in groundwater at a site near Kanpur. National Environmental Conference (NEC) IIT Bombay Diamond Jubilee Year, January, Mumbai, India Poster presentation
Verma, A., Nilling, J.J., and Singh, A. (2019) Kinetics of precipitation of thermodynamically dominant arsenate solid pharmacolite. National Environmental Conference (NEC) IIT Bombay Diamond Jubilee Year, January, Mumbai, India Poster presentation
Ekamparam, S.S.A. and Singh, A. (2018) Phosphate-induced transformation of calcite to fluorapatite in the presence of fluoride. 28th Goldschmidt Conference, August, Boston, USA, p 108 Oral presentation
Ekamparam, S.S.A., Khaitan, H., Nimesh, V. and Singh, A. (2017) Understanding fluoride sorption on activated alumina in synthetic water systems. 7th International Ground Water Conference (IGWC), December, New Delhi, India Oral presentation
Ekamparam, S.S.A., Pokhara, P. and Singh, A. (2017) Understanding the mechanisms of fluoride mobilization in Indian groundwaters. 7th International Ground Water Conference (IGWC), December, New Delhi, India Oral pptn
Bhattacharya, M., Brahmanand and Singh, A. (2017) Characterization of chromium ore processing residue (COPR) and its role in chromium contamination of groundwater. 7th International Ground Water Conference (IGWC), December, New Delhi, India Oral presentation
Mohapatra, A.K., Ekamparam, S.S.A., Adla, S., and Singh, A. (2017) Mechanism of fluoride mobilization in groundwater of Bansathi, Kanpur Nagar, India. 7th International Ground Water Conference (IGWC), December, New Delhi, India Oral presentation
Nilling, J.J., Verma, A., and Singh, A. (2017) Geochemical analysis of arsenic speciation in groundwater. 7th International Ground Water Conference (IGWC), December, New Delhi, India Poster presentation
Singh A. (2017) Wastewater reuse for different intended applications as a means to minimize demand in water-scarce and contaminated areas. In session “Circular Economy in the Water Sector”. 9thIndo-German Frontiers of Engineering Symposium (INDOGFOE 2017), Jaipur, India Invited Talk
Ekamparam, S.S.A. and Singh A. (2016) Dissolution-precipitation kinetics of fluoride-bearing minerals in groundwater. 17th International Symposium on Solubility Phenomena and Related Equilibrium Processes (ISSP), July, Geneva, Switzerland, OC34 Oral presentation
Shriwastav A., Bhattacharya, M. and Singh A. (2016) Determination of solubility-controlling phases in chromium ore processing residue. 17th International Symposium on Solubility Phenomena and Related Equilibrium Processes (ISSP), July, Geneva, Switzerland Poster presentation
Ekamparam, S.S.A. and Singh A. (2016) Mechanisms of fluoride mobilization in Indian groundwaters. National symposium on geogenic contamination of groundwater: its impacts and mitigation strategies, Apr, New Delhi, India Poster presentation
Nilling J.J., Bhattacharya M. and Singh A. (2016) Speciation of arsenic in typical groundwaters of India. National symposium on geogenic contamination of groundwater: its impacts and mitigation strategies, Apr, New Delhi, India Poster presentation
Giammar D.E., Singh A., Mehta V., Troyer L., Maillot, F., and Catalano J.G. (2015) Uranium(VI) uptake on iron oxide surfaces: the transition from adsorption to precipitation. 249th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Spring, Denver, CO, USA. Invited talk in honor of Dr. Donald Sparks
Zhu, Z., Wang, Z., Zachara, J. M., Singh, A., Thomas, M., and Carson, J. P. (2012) ToF-SIMS and NanoSIMS Imaging of uranium distributions in the sediment of Hanford 300 Area. AVS 59th International Symposium and Exhibition, Tampa, FL, USA. Oral presentation
Zhu, Z., Wang, Z., Zachara, J. M., Singh, A. (2012) ToF-SIMS and NanoSIMS Imaging of Uranium Distributions in the Sediment of Hanford 300 Area. 22nd International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, Fort Worth , TX, USA. Oral presentation
Singh A., Zachara J.M., McKinley J.P., Boyanov M.I., Kemner K.M., Bowden M.E., Resch C.T. (2012) Dissolution of uranyl precipitates in contaminated vadose zone sediments. 22nd Goldschmidt Conference, Montreal, Canada. Oral presentation
Singh A., Zachara J.M., Wang Z., Liu C., Liu J., and Moore Dean (2011) Uranium(VI) speciation and release kinetics from contaminated vadose zone sediments. 242nd American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Fall, Denver, CO, USA. Oral presentation
Singh A., Ulrich K.U., Catalano J.G., and Giammar D.E. (2009) Effect of phosphate on uranium(VI) immobilization in the presence of iron(III) (oxy)hydroxides. Migration Conference, 12th International Conference on the Chemistry and Migration Behavior of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere, Kennewick, WA, USA. Poster presentation
Singh A., Ulrich K.-U., Catalano J.G., and Giammar D.E. (2009) Uranium(VI) - phosphate interactions in the presence of goethite. 4th annual DOE-ERSP PI Meeting, Lansdowne, VA, USA. Poster presentation
Singh A., Ulrich K.-U., Catalano J.G., and Giammar D.E. (2009) Multiscale uranium(VI) - phosphate interactions in the presence of goethite. 237th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Spring, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Oral presentation
Singh A., Ulrich K.-U., Catalano J.G., and Giammar D.E. (2009) Effect of phosphate on uranium fate and transport in soil and groundwater. AEESP Education and Research Conference, Iowa City, IA, USA. Oral presentation
Ulrich K.-U., Schofield E., Bargar J., Sharp J., Veeramani H., Bernier-Latmani R, Singh A. and Giammar D.E. (2008) Nano-scale structure and stability of biogenic uranium(IV) oxide. 18th Goldschmidt Conference, Vancouver, Canada. Oral presentation
Singh A., Ulrich K-U and Giammar D.E. (2008) Uranium(VI)-phosphate interactions at the goethite-water interface. 18th Goldschmidt Conference, Vancouver, Canada. Poster presentation
Singh A., Ulrich K.-U., Catalano J.G., and Giammar D.E. (2008) Uranium(VI)-phosphate interactions at the goethite-water interface. Environmental Sciences: Water, Gordon Research Conference, Holderness, NH, USA. Poster presentation
Ulrich K.-U., Singh A., Dixon S., Schofield E., Bargar J. and Giammar D.E. (2007) Uranium(IV) oxide surface reactivity. 17th Goldschmidt Conference, Cologne, Germany. Oral presentation
Singh A., Ulrich K.-U., and Giammar D.E. (2007) Adsorption and surface precipitation of uranyl phosphate on goethite. 233rd American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Spring, Chicago, IL, USA. Poster presentation
Consultancy
| S.N. | Sponsoring Agency and Title | Period and Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akvo Development Tools and Services Pvt. Ltd. (AKVO), New Delhi Development of a field test for arsenic in water | Jul 2016-Jun 2017 |
Funding
| S.N. | Sponsored Research Projects, Agency, and Title | Period and Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR) Chromium isotopes as tracers of environmental contamination and remediation | May 2019-Apr 2022 |
| 2 | MHRD-IMPRINT Development of a smartphone camera-based sensor for detection and remediation of chromium pollution in water | Feb 2017-Mar 2020 |
| 3 | DST-WTI Geochemical processes governing in situ remediation of fluoride-bearing groundwater using suitable chemical amendments | Aug 2016-Jan 2020 |
| 4 | IIT Kanpur CARE Grant Dynamic Light Scattering Particle Size and Zeta Potential Analyzer for characterizing colloidal particles in water | Dec 2014-Mar 2015 |
| 5 | IIT Kanpur New Faculty Research Initiation Grant Investigation of Geochemical Factors Controlling Inorganic Contaminant Fate and Transport in Soil and Groundwater: An Integrated Research and Teaching Plan | Aug 2013-Sep 2016 |
Technology Development/Implementation
Field monitoring tool for hexavalent chromium detection in groundwater:
Supervision/Advising
| PhD | Tathagata Bandyopadhyay Akshat Verma Ashwini Kumar Mohapatra Surya Sujathan Jacklin Jeke Nilling Mainak Bhattacharya Aravinth Siva Subramaniam Ekamparam | Jul 2019 – Present Jul 2018 – Present Jan 2018 – Present Jan 2017 – Present July 2015 – Present Jan 2015 – Present July 2014 – Present |
| MSR | Tavishi Misra Tathagata Bandyopadhyay | Jul 2019 – Present Graduated Jul 2019 |
| MTech | Prakhar Srivastava Ankit Kumar Aditya Shekhar Gaurav Pahuja Akshat Verma Deepak Tiwari Vishakha Nimesh Anshuman Satpathy Prafulla Pokhara Rahul Silori | Ongoing Ongoing Graduated Aug 2019 Graduated Aug 2019 Graduated Jun 2018 Graduated May 2017 Graduated Jul 2016 Graduated Jun 2016 Graduated Aug 2015 Graduated Jul 2015 |
| MTech-BTech | Vinod Bhojwani Harshit Khaitan Shrikant Bhole | Graduated Jun 2018 Graduated Jul 2015 Graduated Aug 2014 |
| BTech | Anshul Yadav (UGP) Abhay Kumar Mishra and Sumit Kumar Manvendra Singh Rajput (UGP2) Manvendra Singh Rajput (Summer) Manvendra Singh Rajput (UGP1) Hari Shankar (UGP2) Hari Shankar (UGP1) Amrendra Rajan (UGP) Brahmanand (UGP) Gaurav Maan and Rai Singh (UGP) Rajanikanth Kakani (BTP) Nishant Singh (UGP) Manish Kumar (UGP) Abhishek Singh (UGP) | Dec18-Apr19 Dec18-Apr19 Jul18-Nov18 May18-Jul18 Jan18-Apr18 Dec17-Apr18 Jul17-Nov17 Jul15-Nov15 Jan15-Apr15 Jul14-Nov14 Jan14-Apr14 Jan14-Apr14 Jan14-Apr14 Jan14-Apr14 |
| Postdoc | Dr. Isha Vishan; Dr. Amritanshu Shriwastav; | Mar 2018 - May 2019 May 2015 - Aug 2016 |
| JRF | Nivedita Iyer Ashwini K. Mohapatra | Oct 2019-Present Nov 2016-Dec 2017 |
| S. Project Associate | Bharat Chaudhary | Jun 2018-Dec 2018 |