Urs Jans

Urs Jans’ research interests lie in the field of chemical transformations of synthetic compounds in natural environments and in engineered systems. During his graduate education, he conducted research on the transformation of ozone by soot particles. As a postdoctoral associate and junior faculty member at CCNY, he investigated the reduction and substitution reactions of organophosphorus insecticides (e.g., chlorpyrifos, methyl-parathion), organophosphorus flame retardants (e.g., tris(chloroethyl)phosphate and brominated aliphatic flame retardants (e.g., hexabromocyclododecane) in sulfate reducing environments. In recent years, he also started to analyze the concentration of persistent organic pollutants in sediments cores as a tool to elucidate the fate of persistent contaminants in the environment. In addition, he determined the concentration of organic compounds (e.g., PAHs) in aerosol particle collected in New York City.

Selected Publications

• X. Zhang, K.K. Roopnarine, S. Dong, U. Jans, 2020, Stereoisomer specific reaction of hexabromocyclododecane with Fe(II) associated with iron oxides, Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, 22, 1026-1036.  https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00587K
• X. Zhang, J.H. Wilson, A. Lawson, E.G. Hohenstein, U. Jans, 2019, Stereoisomer specific reaction of hexabromocyclododecane with reduced sulfur species in aqueous solutions. Chemosphere, 226, 238-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.134
• S. Christian, P. Pradhan, U. Jans, 2018, Investigation of the Nucleophilic Attack of Dichlorvos by Reduced Sulfur Species Using 1H NMR. J. Agric. Food Chem., 66, 424-431. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.7b04749
• U. Jans, 2016. Emerging Brominated Flame Retardants in Sediments and Soils: a Review. Current Pollution Reports, 2, 213-223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40726-016-0041-5
• D. Saint-Hilaire, U. Jans, 2013. Reactions of three halogenated organophosphorus flame retardants with reduced sulfur species. Chemosphere, 93, 2033-2039. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.07.028
• L. Yang, X. Li, P. Zhang, M. Melcer, Y. Wu, U. Jans, 2012. Concentrations of DDTs and dieldrin in Long Island Sound sediment, Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 14, 878-885. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C2EM10642F
• M. Seredych, J. Lison, U. Jans, T.J. Bandosz, 2009. Textural and chemical factors affecting adsorption capacity of activated carbon in highly efficient desulfurization of diesel fuel. Carbon, 47, 2491-2500. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2009.05.001
• L. Yang, X. Li, J. Crusius, U. Jans, M. E. Melcer, P. Zhang, 2007. Persistent chlordane concentrations in Long Island Sound sediment: Implications for chlordane, 210Pb, and 137Cs depth profiles. Environ. Sci. Technol. 41, 7723-7729. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es070749a
• X. Li, L. Yang, U. Jans, M.E. Melcer, P. Zhang, 2007. Lack of enantioselective microbial degradation of chlordane in Long Island Sound Sediment. Environ. Sci. Technol., 41, 1635-1640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es062125v
• Q. Gan, R.M. Singh, T. Wu, U. Jans, 2006. Kinetics and mechanism of degradation of dichlorvos in aqueous solution containing reduced sulfur species. Environ. Sci. Technol.,  40, 5717-5723. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es060485c
• T. Wu, Q. Gan, U. Jans, 2006. Nucleophilic substitution of phosphorothionate ester pesticides with bisulfide (HS-) and polysulfides (Sn2-), Environ. Sci. Technol. 40, 5428-5434. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es060711i
• X. Guo; U. Jans, 2006. Kinetics and mechanism of the degradation of methyl parathion in aqueous hydrogen sulfide solution: Investigation of natural organic matter effects. Environ. Sci. Technol., 40, 900-906. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es051453c
• T. Wu, U. Jans, 2006. Nucleophilic substitution reactions of chlorpyrifos-methyl with sulfur species. Environ. Sci. Technol., 40, 784-790. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es051468