Professor

Department of Water Resources Engineering

School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, Wuhan University

8 Donghunan Rd., Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China

Phone: 86-027-68772215 Fax: 86-027-68772275 Email: zhonghua21cn@126.com

Webpage:http://swrh.whu.edu.cn/en_home/people/Faculty/Dept-of-Agricultural-Water-Resources-Engineering/2017-01-10/342.html

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research is focused on integrating physical, chemical, and biological principles, and employing innovative experimental methods from the molecular to the field scale, to develop mechanistic understanding of contaminant transport and transformation processes in groundwater systems. I am also interested in the development of innovative technologies for characterization and remediation of contaminated groundwater and soils. In addition, I do research on water and wastewater treatment as minor interests. Specific research interests include (1) inter-phase contaminant mass transfer behaviors in porous media; (2) coupled processes of contaminant mass transfer, transport and transformation; (3) enhanced abiotic transformation (e.g. chemical oxidation or reduction) and biotransformation processes in porous media; (4) colloid and nanoparticle transport; (5) surfactant-enhanced removal of nonaqueous phase liquids for contaminant source control and cleaning; (6) advanced oxidation processes for in situ groundwater remediation or water treatment; (7) risk assessment of groundwater quality impairment.

EMPLOYMENT

Professor 7/2016 – present

Department of Water Resources Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China

Research Scientist 3/2013 – 6/2016

Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, US

Research Specialist 6/2012 – 2/2013

Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, US

Postdoctoral Research Associate 6/2011 – 5/2012

Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, US

Assistant professor 8/2008 – 6/2011

Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Aug. 2008.

Area of study: Water and Soil Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Contaminant Transport and Transformation, Water Remediation or Treatment

M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Jun. 2005.

Area of study: Water and Soil Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Water and Wastewater Treatment, Municipal and Agricultural Waste

B.E. in Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Jun. 2002.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Best oral presentation award, the 5th International Conference on Water Resources and Engineering (WRE2018), Jul 16-22 2018, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, China

Technology Development Award (Level 2), A new method for bridge construction wastewater treatment, China Highway And Transportation Society, 2016

Supervisor of the Excellent Poster Award of the 10th National Conference on Environmental Chemistry (10th NCEC) (Student: Guansheng Liu; presentation title: Transport of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in porous media mediated by low-concentration surfactants: the critical role of surfactant to change cell surface hydrophobicity), Tianjin, 2019

Supervisor of the 3rd prize winner of Best Presentations in 12th Environment Forum for Graduate Students of China (EFGSC) (Student: Peng Cui; presentation title: In-situ activation of persulfate by magnetite nanoparticles for degradation of 1,2-dichloroethane), Shanghai, 2017

Supervisor of the 2nd prize winner of Best Presentations in 11th EFGSC (Student: Yang Liu; presentation title: Effect of rhamnolipid solubilization on hexadecane bioavailability: enhancement or reduction), Shanghai, 2016

Supervisor of the 3rd prize winner of Best Presentations in 11th EFGSC (Student: Lina Zhang; presentation title: Heterogeneous activation of persulfate by Fe3O4 for degradation of refractory organic contaminants), Shanghai, 2016

Supervisor of the 2nd prize winner of Best Presentations in 10th EFGSC (Student: Guansheng Liu; presentation title: Effect of low-concentration monorhamnolipid on the transport of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 in porous media), Shanghai, 2015

Supervisor of the 3rd prize winner of Best Presentations in 9th EFGSC (Student: Zhibin Wu; presentation title: Adsorptive removal of methylene blue by rhamnolipid-functionalized graphene oxide from wastewater), Shanghai, 2014

Outstanding Ph.D. dissertation award, Hunan University (2009)

Outstanding M.Sc. thesis award, The Education Department of Hunan Province, China (2006)

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Licensed National Environmental Protection Engineer, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China

Licensed National Environmental Impact Assessment Engineer, Ministry of Environmental Protection of China

MEMBERSHIPS

International Water Association (IWA), 2015-present

American Geophysical Union (AGU), 2013-present

Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), 2015-present

Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences, Senior Member, 2012-present

GRANTS AND CONTRACTS

CURRENT

“Coupling low heat and in situ chemical oxidation for cost-effective remediation of the site contaminated by multiple organic compounds”

“Integration of heating technology and other technologies for efficient and low-cost remediation of the sites contaminated by multiple organic compounds” (2019YFC1805700), National Key Research and Development Project, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, 6/2020-5/2023, CNY 1,300, 000 (Co-PI)

“In situ heterogeneous activation of persulfate for degradation of the refractory organic contaminants in groundwater”

National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51979203), 1/2020-12/2023, CNY 610,000 (Single PI)

“The national youth talent support program of China”,The Organization Department of the Central Government of China, 3/2019-2/2022, CNY 2,200,000 (Single PI)

“The Effect of Low-concentration Surfactants on Mobilization and Solubilization of Nonaqueous Phase Liquid in Porous Media and Their Control”

National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51779182), 1/2018-12/2021, CNY 630,000 (Single PI)

“The Platform for Water Quality Management and Early Warning for South-To-North Water Diversion Project”

“Construction of technological systems for safe urban water supply with multiple water sources”, Major Science and Technology Program for Water Pollution Control and Treatment (2017ZX07108-001), 1/2017-6/2020, CNY 600,000 (Co-PI)

“Efficient In-situ Activation of Persulfate in Porous Media and Degradation of Organic contaminants”

Distinguished Young Scholar Fund, the Science Foundation of Hubei Province (2017CFA058), China, 8/2017-7/2020, CNY 200,000 (Single PI)

COMPLETED

“Attenuation of Some Typical Agricultural Non-point-source Contaminants in Porous media and Its Enhancement”

Outstanding Young Scholar Fund, Wuhan University, 1/2017-12/2018, CNY 150,000 (Single PI)

“Behaviors of Rhamnolipid – Self Aggregation, HOC Solubilization and the Effect on Bioavailability of HOCs”

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Ministry of Education of China, 7/2016-6/2018, CNY 500,000 (Single PI)

“The Mechanisms for Surfactants to Affect the Bioavailability of Hydrophobic Organic Compounds in Saturated Porous Media”

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51378192), 1/2014-12/2017, CNY 800,000 (Single PI)

“Role of Rhamnolipid in Changing Cell Surface Hydrophobicity for Petroleum Degrading Microorganisms and Its Relation with Petroleum Uptake”

National Natural Science Foundation of China for Young Scientist (No.50908081), 1/2010-12/2012, CNY 200,000 (Single PI)

“Technologies for Metal Contaminated Sediment Dredging and Cleaning at Xiawan River”

“Key Technologies and Their Demonstrations for Metal Pollution Control In Xiangjiang Waters”, Major Science and Technology Program for Water Pollution Control and treatment (2009ZX07212-001-02), 1/2009-6/2012, CNY 500,000 (Co-PI)

“Facilitated Transport Enabled In Situ Chemical Oxidation of 1,4-Dioxane- Contaminated Groundwater”

Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (ER-2302), U.S. Department of Defense, 5/2013-1/2017, $1,203,000 (Key participant & project leader)

“In-situ Biosequestration for Remediation of Uranium in Groundwater at the Monument Valley UMTRA Site”

U.S. Department of Energy (LMCP5482), 5/2015-11/2016, $275,000 (Key participant & project leader)

“Mass-transfer and Mass-flux Dynamics of Chlorinated Solvents in Heterogeneous Systems”

The SUPERFUND Basic Research Program (No. E504940), U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 7/2010-6/2015, $875,000 (Key participant)

“A Mechanistic Study of the Transport and Fate of Biosolid Colloids in Soil”

National Research Initiative (No.2007-35107-1835), U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2007-2011, $390,000 (Participant)

PUBLICATIONS

(*corresponding author; Total citation = 2132, H-index = 25 (Web of Science Core Collection))

Refereed Journal Articles

2021 (3 paper)

J1. Ahmad Z, Zhang XZ, Imran M, Zhong H*, Andleeb S, Zulekha R, Liu GS, Ahmad I, Coulon F. Production, functional stability, and effect of rhamnolipid biosurfactant from Klebsiella sp. on phenanthrene degradation in various medium systems. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2021, 207: 111514

J2. Huang J, Liu XJ, Zhang W, Liu ZF*, Zhong H*, Shao BB, Liang QH, Liu Y, Zhang W, He QY. Functionalization of covalent organic frameworks by metal modification: Construction, properties and applications. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2021, 404: 127136

J3. El Ouni A, Guo B, Zhong H, Brusseau ML*. Testing the validity of the miscible- displacement interfacial tracer method for measuring air-water interfacial area: Independent benchmarking and mathematical modeling. Chemosphere. 2021, 263:128193

2020 (10 papers)

J4. Zhong H#, Cheng Y#, Ahmad Z, Shao YL, Zhang HW, Lu QH, Shim H*. Solid-phase denitrification for water remediation: processes, limitations, and new aspects. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology. 2020. DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2020.1805720.

J5. Shao YL, Zhong H*, Mao XY, Zhong HW. Biochar-immobilized Sphingomonas sp. and Acinetobacter sp. isolates to enhance nutrient removal: potential application in crab aquaculture. Aquaculture Environment Interactions. 2020, 12: 251-262

J6. Huo LL, Liu GS, Yang X, Ahmad Z, Zhong H*. Surfactant-enhanced aquifer remediation: mechanisms, influences, limitations and the countermeasures. Chemosphere. 2020, 252: 126620

J7. Yang X, Tan F, Zhong H*, Liu GS, Ahmad Z, Liang QH. Sub-CMC solubilization of n-alkanes by rhamnolipid biosurfactant: the influence of rhamnolipid molecular

structure. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2020, 192: 111049

J8. Nong XZ, Shao DG*, Zhong H, Liang JK. Evaluation of water quality in the South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China using the water quality index (WQI) method. Water Research. 2020, 178: 115781

J9. Liu GS, Fang ZD, Zhong H*, Shi LS, Yang X, Liu ZF. Transport of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in porous media mediated by low-concentration surfactants: the critical role of surfactant to change cell surface hydrophobicity. Water Resources Research. 2020, 56: e2019WR026103

J10. Xiao S, Cheng M, Zhong H*, Liu ZF*, Liu Y, Yang X, Liang QH. Iron-mediated activation of persulfate and peroxymonosulfate in both homogeneous and heterogeneous ways: A review. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2020, 384: 123265

J11. Shao YL, Zhong H*, Wang LK, Elbashier MMA. Purification effect of the aquaculture wastewater and sediment by microbial nanospheres with different material ratios and dosing methods. Sustainability. 2020, 12: 1462

J12. Ahmad Z, Zhong H, Mosavi A*, Sadiq M, Saleem H, Khalid A, Mahmood S, Nabipour N. Machine learning modeling of aerobic biodegradation for azo dyes and hexavalent chromium. Mathematics. 2020, 8: 1-17

J13. Xu BK, Shi LS*, Zhong H, Wang K. Investigation of Fe(II) and Mn(II) involved anoxic denitrification in agricultural soils with high manganese and iron contents. Journal of Soils and Sediments. 2020, DOI 10.1007/s11368-020-02776-z

2019 (5 papers)

J14. Liu GS, Zhong H*, Ahmad Z, Yang X, Huo LL. Transport of engineered nanoparticles in porous media and its enhancement for remediation of contaminated groundwater. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology. 2019. DOI: 10.1080/10643389.2019.1694823

J15. Yan N, Zhong H, Brusseau ML*. The natural activation ability of subsurface media to promote in-situ chemical oxidation of 1,4-dioxane. Water Research. 2019, 149: 386-393

J16. Liu Y, Cheng M, Liu ZF, Zeng GM*, Zhong H*, Chen M, Zhou CY, Xiong WP, Shao BB, Song B. Heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst for treatment of rhamnolipid-solubilized hexadecane wastewater. Chemosphere. 2019, 236: 124387

J17. Xu BK, Shi LS*, Zhong H, Wang K. The performance of pyrite-based autotrophic denitrification column for permeable reactive barrier under natural environment. Bioresource Technology. 2019, 290: 121763

J18. Nong XZ, Shao DG*, Xiao Y*, Zhong H. Spatio-Temporal Characterization Analysis and Water Quality Assessment of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019, 16, 2227

2018 (9 papers)

J19. Liu GS, Zhong H*, Yang X, Liu Y, Shao BB, Liu ZF. Advances in environmental

applications of rhamnolipid biosurfactant: A review. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 2018, 115: 796-814

J20. Zeng ZT#, Liu Y#, Zhong H#, Xiao R, Zeng GM*, Liu ZF, Cheng M, Lai C, Zhang C, Liu GS, Qin L. Mechanisms for rhamnolipids-mediated biodegradation of hydrophobic organic compounds. Science of the Total Environment. 2018, 634: 1-11

J21. Zhao CH, Yan M*, Zhong H*, Liu ZF, Chen M, Zeng GM, Song B, Shao BB, Feng HP. Biodegradation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and associated enhancement methods: A review. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 2018, 192: 23-32

J22. Shao YL*, Zhong H, Chen LH. Microbiologic technology for purifying coastal aquaculture water. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin. 2018, 27: 3796-3802

J23. Wu ZB, Yuan XZ*, Zhong H, Hou Wang*, Jiang LB, Leng LJ, Wang H, Zeng GM, Liu ZF. Effective removal of high−chroma rhodamine B over Sn0.215In0.38S/reduced graphene oxide composite: Synergistic factors and mechanism of adsorption enrichment and visible photocatalytic degradation. Powder Technology. 2018, 329: 217-231

J24. Wu ZB, Yuang XZ*, Zeng GM, Jiang LB, Zhong H, Xie YC, Wang H, Cheng XH, Wang H. Highly efficient photocatalytic activity and mechanism of Yb3+/Tm3+ codoped In2S3 from ultraviolet to near infrared light towards chromium (VI) reduction and rhodamine B oxidative degradation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. 2018, 225: 8-21

J25. Liu ZF*, Liu YJ, Zeng GM*, Shao BB, Chen M, Li ZG, Jiang YL, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Zhong H. Application of molecular docking for the degradation of organic pollutants in the environmental remediation: A review. Chemosphere. 2018, 203: 139-150

J26. Li ZG, Liu ZF*, Wu ZB, Zeng GM, Shao BB, Liu YJ, Jiang YL, Zhong H, Liu Y. Fabrication of the tea saponin functionalized reduced graphene oxide for fast adsorptive removal of Cd(II) from water. Applied Physics A – Materials Science and Processing. 2018, 124: 398

J27. Liu ZF*, Shao BB, Zeng GM*, Chen M, Li ZG, Liu YJ, Jiang YL, Zhong H, Liu Y, Yan M. Effects of rhamnolipids on the removal of 2,4,2,4-tetrabrominated biphenyl ether (BDE-47) by Phanerochaete chrysosporium analyzed with a combined approach of experiments and molecular docking. Chemosphere. 2018, 210: 922-930

2017 (9 papers)

J28. Liu GS, Zhong H*, Jiang YB, Brusseau ML, Huang JS, Shi LS, Liu ZF, Liu Y, Zeng GM. Effect of low-concentration rhamnolipid on Pseudomonas aeruginosa transport in natural porous media. Water Resources Research. 2017, 53: 361-375

J29. Wu ZB, Zhong H*, Yuan XZ*, Wang H, Wang LL, Chen XH, Zeng GM, Wu Y. Reply for comment on “Adsorptive removal of methylene blue by rhamnolipid- functionalized graphene oxide from wastewater”. Water Research. 2017, 108: 464-465

J30. Zhong H*, Liu GS*, Jiang YB, Yang JZ, Liu Y, Yang X, Liu ZF, Zeng GM. Transport of bacteria in porous media and its enhancement by surfactants for bioaugmentation: a review. Biotechnology Advances. 2017, 35: 490-504

J31. Zhong H*, Tian YL, Yang Q, Brusseau ML, Yang L, Zeng GM. Degradation of landfill leachate compounds by persulfate for groundwater remediation. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2017, 307: 399-407

J32. Liu Y, Zeng GM*, Zhong H*, Wang ZQ, Liu ZF. Effect of rhamnolipid solubilization on hexadecane bioavailability: enhancement or reduction? Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2017, 322: 394-401

J33. Shao BB, Liu ZF*, Zhong H*, Zeng GM, Liu GS, Yu MD, Liu Y, Yang X, Li ZG, Fang ZD, Zhang JT, Zhao CH. Effects of rhamnolipids on microorganism characteristics and applications in composting: A review. Microbiological Research. 2017, 200: 33-44

J34. Liu ZF*, Li ZG, Zhong H*, Zeng GM, Liang YS, Chen M, Wu ZB, Zhou YY, Yu MD, Shao BB. Recent advances in the environmental applications of biosurfactant saponins: A review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2017, 5: 6030-6038

J35. Wu ZB, Yuan XZ*, Zhong H, Wang H*, Jiang LB, Zeng GM, Wang H, Liu ZF, Li YF. Highly efficient adsorption of Congo red in single and binary water with cationic dyes by reduced graphene oxide decorated NH2-MIL-68(Al). Journal of Molecular Liquids. 2017, 247: 215-229

J36. Liu ZF*, Yu MD, Zeng GM*, Li M, Zhang JC, Zhong H, Liu Y, Shao BB, Li ZG, Wang ZQ, Liu GS, Yang X. Investigation on the reaction of phenolic pollutions to mono-rhamnolipid micelles using MEUF. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2017, 24:1230-1240

2016 (7 papers)

J37. Zhong H, El Ouni A, Lin D, Wang BG, Brusseau ML*. The two-phase flow IPTT method for measurement of nonwetting-wetting liquid interfacial areas at higher nonwetting saturations in natural porous media. Water Resources Research. 2016, 52: 5506-5515

J38. Zhong H*, Liu GS, Jiang YB, Brusseau ML, Liu ZF, Liu Y, Zeng GM. Effect of low-concentration rhamnolipid on transport of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 in an ideal porous medium with hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2016, 139: 244-248

J39. Zhong H*, Zhang H, Liu ZF, Yang X, Brusseau ML, Zeng GM. Sub-CMC solubilization of dodecane by rhamnolipid in saturated porous media. Scientific Reports. 2016, 6:33266

J40. Zhong H*, Wang ZQ, Liu Y, Liu ZF, Yu MD, Zeng GM. Degradation of hexadecane by Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the mediation of surfactants: relation between hexadecane solubilization and bioavailability. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. 2016, 115: 141-145

J41. Zhong H*, Yang X, Tian F, Brusseau ML, Yang L, Liu ZF, Zeng GM, Yuan XZ. Aggregate-based sub-CMC solubilization of n-alkanes by monorhamnolipid biosurfactant. New Journal of Chemistry. 2016, 40, 2028-2035

J42. Wu ZB, Yuan XZ*, Zhong H*, Wang H, Zeng GM, Chen XH, Wang H, Zhang L, Shao JG. Enhanced adsorptive removal of p-nitrophenol from water by aluminum metal-organic framework/reduced graphene oxide composite. Scientific Reports. 2016, 6: 25638-25650

J43. Yuan XZ*, Wu ZB, Zhong H*, Wang H, Chen XH, Leng LJ, Jiang LB, Xiao ZH, Zeng GM. Fast removal of tetracycline from wastewater by reduced graphene oxide prepared via microwave assisted ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid induction method. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2016, 23: 18657-18671

2015 (7 papers)

J44. Zhong H, Brusseau ML*, Wang YK, Yan N, Quig L, Johnson GR. In situ activation of persulfate by iron filings and oxidation of 1,4-dioxane. Water Research. 2015, 83: 104-111

J45. Zhong H*, Jiang YB, Zeng GM, Liu ZF, Liu Y, Lai MY, He YB. Effect of low-concentration rhamnolipid on adsorption of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2015, 285: 383-388

J46. Zhong H*, Yang L, Yang X, Zeng GM, Liu ZF, Liu Y, Yuan XZ. Aggregation of low-concentration dirhamnolipid biosurfactant in electrolyte solution. RSC Advances. 2015, 5, 88578–88582

J47. Zhong H*, Yang L, Zeng GM, Brusseau ML, Wang YK, Li Y, Liu ZF, Yuan XZ, Tian F. Aggregate-based sub-CMC solubilization of hexadecane by surfactants. RSC Advances. 2015, 5, 78142–78149

J48. Yang Q*, Zhong Y, Zhong H, Li X, Du WX, Li XM, Chen R, Zeng GM. A novel pretreatment process of mature landfill leachate with ultrasonic activated persulfate: Optimization using integrated Taguchi method and response surface methodology. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2015, 98: 268-275

J49. Brusseau ML*, El Ouni A, Araujo JB, Zhong H. Novel methods for measuring air-water interfacial area in unsaturated porous media. Chemosphere. 2015, 127: 208-213

J50. Yu MD, Liu ZF*, Zeng GM*, Zhong H, Liu Y, Jiang YB, Li M, He XX, He Y. Characteristics of mannosylerythritol lipids and their environmental potential. Carbohydrate Research. 2015, 407: 63-72