CV
Name: Jianjun Yang
JIANJUN YANG
Delaware Environmental Institute
University of Delaware,
221 Academy Street, Suite 477
Newark, DE, USA
jianjun@udel.edu
Education
Ph.D Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University (Hangzhou, China)Sep. 2011 Thesis Title: Molecular Speciation of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils and Their
Transformation Mechanisms in the Rhizosphere
B.S. Department of Environmental Engineering, Southwest University (Chongqing, China)-Jun.2006
Research Interests
Molecular-level understanding the biogeochemistry of nutrient (C, S and P) and heavy metals (Cu/Pb
etc.) in soil-plant systems play a vital role in clarifying their mobility, bioavailability and cycling in
agricultural ecosystem, thus being of great importance for food security and carbon sequestration.
Synchrotron-based multiple techniques (STXM, XANES, EXAFS and XRF etc.) provide good
opportunities for environmental researchers to investigate the speciation and distribution of interested
elements at the molecular level under different spatial resolutions (from millimetre to nanometre), and
are ideal for heterogeneous environmental matrixes, such as soil.
Before coming to Dr. Sparks’s group in UD, I focused on the transformation of heavy metals (Cu/Pb)
and nutrients (S/P) at the molecular level in soil-plant systems, and was well trained in multiple
synchrotron-based hard and soft X-ray techniques in different synchrotron facilities, especially when
working at SGM beamline in Canadian Light Source. Currently, I am involved into an international
collaborative carbon project, aimed at soil carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation. Besides
Prof. Donald Sparks, I am also working with Prof. Nanthi Bolan in Australia and Dr. Cornelia Rumpel
in France and will conduct research on the complexation mechanisms of C with different minerals in
both model and soil systems, using a multi-scale approach with particular emphasis on the use of
synchrotron-based soft and hard X-ray adsorption spectroscopy (XANES, EXAFS) and imaging
techniques (eg. XRF, nano-spatially resolved STXM). This research is expected to provide a theoretical
basis for advancing a better understanding of SOM stability and carbon sequestration in soil systems.
Peer-reviewed Publications
1. Yang J.J. Liu J., Dynes J.J., Peak D., Regier T.,Wang J., Zhu S.H. Shi J.Y., Tse J.S.(2014)
Speciation and distribution of copper in a mining soil using multiple synchrotron-based bulk and
microscopic techniques. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21:2943-2154.
2. Shi, J.Y., Peng, C., Yang, Y.Q., Yang, J.J., Zhang, H., Yuan, X.F., Chen, Y.X., Hu, T.D. (2014)
Phytotoxicity and accumulation of copper oxide nanoparticles to the Cu-tolerant plant Elsholtzia
splendens. Nanotoxicology, 8:179-188.
3. Liu, J., Yang J.J., Cade-Menun B.J., Liang X.Q., Hu Y.F., Liu C.W., Zhao Y., Li L., Shi J.Y.
(2013) Complementary phosphorus speciation in agricultural soils by sequential fractionation,
solution 31P NMR, and P K-edge XANES spectroscopy. Journal of Environmental Quality, 42: 1763-1770.
4. Liu, J., Yang J.J., Cade-Menun B.J., Liang X.Q., Hu Y.F., Zhao Y. (2013) Molecular speciation
of phosphorus present in readily dispersible colloids from agricultural soils. Soil Science Society
of America Journal.78:47-53.
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CV
Name: Jianjun Yang
5. Yang, J. J., Liu, J., Zhu, S. H., Peng, C., Sun, L. J., Shi, J. Y. Chen, Y. X. (2012). Transformation
of metal fractions in the rhizosphere of Elsholtzia splendens in mining and smelter-contaminated
soils: Contribution of fulvic-metal complex. In: Xu, J. M., Wu, L. S. and He, Y. (eds.), Function of
Natural Organic Matter in Changing Environment. Springlink Press. Hangzhou, pp. 404-407.
6. Yang J.J., Regier T., Dynes J.J., Wang J., Shi J.Y., Peak D., Zhao Y.D., Hu T.D., Chen Y.X., Tse
J.S. (2011) Soft X-ray induced photoreduction of organic Cu( ) compounds probed by X-ray nearedge (XANES) spectroscopy. Analytical Chemistry, 83: 7856–7862.
7. Liu, J., Liang X.Q., Yang J.J., Ye Y.S., Su M.M., Nie Z.Y., Chen Y.X. (2011). Size distribution
and composition of phosphorus in the East Tiao River, China: The significant role of colloids.
Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 13: 2844-2850.
8. Yang J.J., Hu S.P., Chen, X.C., Yu M.G., Liu J., Li H., Shen C.F., Shi J.Y., Chen Y.X. (2010)
Transformation of lead solid fraction in the rhizosphere of Elsholtzia splendens: the importance of
organic matter. Water Air and Soil Pollution, 205:333-342.
9. Lin, H.R., Shi, J.Y., Chen, X.C., Yang, J.J., Chen, Y.X., Zhao, Y.D., Hu, T.D. (2010) Effect of
lead upon the actions of sulfate reducing bacteria in the rice rhizosphere. Soil Biology and
Biochemistry, 42:1038-1044.
10. Lin, H.R., Shi, J.Y., Wu, B., Yang, J.J., Chen, Y.X. Zhao, Y.D., Hu, T.D. (2010) Speciation and
biochemical transformations of sulfur and copper in rice plant, rhizosphere and bulk soil: XANES
evidence of sulfur and copper associations. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 10: 907-914.
11. Cheema, S. A., Khan, M. I., Tang, X. J., Zhang, C.K. Shen, C.F., Malik, Z., Shen, K.L., Yang, J.J.
Chen, X.C., Chen, Y.X. Enhancement of Phenanthrene and Pyrene Degradation in Rhizosphere of
Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2009, 1226-1231.
12. Liu J., Yang J.J., Liang X.Q., Hu Y.F., Shi J.Y., Chen Y.X. (2011) Applications of synchrotron
based X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy in identifying solid state phosphorus
speciation: A review. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 22(10): 2757-2764. (In Chinese)
13. Lin, H.R. Shi, J.Y., Fu, X.P., Yang J.J., Chen Y.X. (2010) Effects of sulfur on m icrobial activity
and community structure in a lead-polluted paddy soil. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 21(7):1829- 1834.(In Chinese)
14. Zhang H., Peng C., Yang J.J., Shi, J.Y. (2013) Eco-toxicological effect of metal-based
nanoparticles on plants: Research progress. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 24(3):885892.(In Chinese)
15. Zhu S.H., Yang J.J., Sun L.J., Shi, J.Y. (2014) Effect of different sulfur fertilizers and flooding
regimes on availability and distribution of copper in polluted paddy soils. Journal of Zhejiang
University(Science Edition) (In press).
Peer-reviewed Conference Abstracts
1. Liu J., Yang J.J. Cade-Menun B.J., Liang X.Q., Hu Y.F., Liu C.W., Li L., Shi J.Y. Phosphorus
Lability and Speciation in Two Agricultural Soils by Sequential Fractionation, Solution 31P NMR,
and P K-edge XANES Spectroscopy. Organic Phosphorus 2013-Integration Across Ecosystem,
Panama. Republic of Panama. 2013, Feb.4-7
2. Liu J., Yang J.J. Cade-Menun B.J., Liang X.Q., Hu Y.F., Liu C.W., Li L., Shi J.Y. Phosphorus
speciation in soil colloids of an Ultisol by Solution 31P NMR, and P K-edge XANES Spectroscopy.
The 11th Dahlia Greidinger Memorial Symposium on-Advanced methods for investigating nutrient
dynamics in soils and ecosystems. Haifa, Israel. 2013, Mar. 4-7.
3. Yang J.J. Liu J., Dynes J.J., Peak D., Regier T.,Wang J., Shi J.Y., Zhu S.H. Zhao Y.D. Huang
Y.Y. Yu X.H. Chen Y.X., Tse J.S. Distribution and speciation of Cu in a mining soil using Cu Kedge and L3,2-edge bulk-XANES, EXAFS, µ-XRF, µ-XANES and STXM. The 15th International
Conference on X-ray absorption fine structure. (Oral report). Beijing, China. 2012, Jul. 22-28
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CV
Name: Jianjun Yang
4. Yang J.J. Liu J., Dynes J.J., Wang J., Shi J.Y. Chen Y.X., Tse J.S. Obstacle and application of
STXM in the probing of the molecular speciation of Cu in contaminated soils. The 11th
International Conference on X-ray Microscopy. (Oral report). Shanghai, China. 2012, Aug. 5-10
5. Kosty C., Dynes J., Yang J.J., Regier T., Peak D. Advances in the reactivity of metals in aqueous
environments: A copper L-edge XANES spectroscopic study employing a liquid cell and a silicon
drift detector. Canadian Light Source 14th Annual Users' Meeting (Poster). Canada. 2011, Jun.2425.
6. Yang J.J. Regier T., Dynes J.J., Peak D., Chen Y.X., Tse J.S. Copper speciation in contaminated
soil characterized by selective extraction method and Cu L-edge XANES spectroscopy. 93rd
Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC 2010) (Oral report).Canada. 2010, Jun. 28Jul.3
7. Dynes J.J., Yang J.J., Peak D., Kozak L.M., Huang P.M., Regier T., Tse J.S. Copper sorption on
Al precipitation products formed under the under the influence of tannate & by anthropogenic soil.
Canadian Light Source 13th Annual Users' Meeting (Poster). Canada. 2010, Jul.11-13
8. Yang J.J., Hu S.P., Lin H.R., Yu M.G., Shen C.F., Chen, X.C., Shi J.Y., Chen Y.X.
Transformation of lead fraction in the rhizosphere of a metal tolerant plant revealed by a selective
sequential extraction method. The Sixth International Phytotechnologies Conference (Poster).USA.
2009, Dec.1-4 Honors And Awards 1. Dong Shijin Best Paper Award, Southwest University, 2006.
2. The Outstanding Undergraduate Award, Southwest University, 2006.
3. Award for Graduate Social Practice, Zhejiang University, 2007.
4. Guanghua Graduate Award, Zhejiang University, 2009.
5. China Scholarship Council Award, 2010.
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