Recent article

Recent Publications

My earlier research focussed on modelling and management of toxic cyanobacterial (blue green algal) blooms. More recently, in collaboration with Professor Defu Xu of Nanjing University of Information, Science and Technology (China), our research has produced innovative methods of water purification.

Recent Science Articles

  • 2024 Junhong Yi, Zanmei Chen, Defu Xu, Die Wu, Alan Howard, Preparation of a coagulant of polysilicate aluminum ferric from foundry dust and its coagulation performance in treatment of swine wastewater, Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 434, 2024, 140400, ISSN 0959-6526, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140400.
  • 2024 Shuaishuai Li, Defu Xu, Die Wu, Alan Howard, Characteristic of geopolymer modified by MgO and its adsorption capacity of phosphate and ammonium ions from swine wastewater, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, Volume 182, 2024,Pages 1130-1142, ISSN 0957-5820, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2023.12.049.
  • 2022 Ma, X., Xu, D., Li, Y., Ou, Z. and Howard, A. Synthesis of a new porous geopolymer from foundry dust to remove Pb2+ and Ni2+ from aqueous solutions, Journal of Cleaner Production, 2022, 131488, ISSN 0959-6526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131488.
  • 2020 Zhou, L., Wang, J., Xu, D. Li, Y., Yao, B. & Howard, A. Responses of nitrogen transformation and dissolved oxygen in constructed wetland to biochar and earthworm amendment. Environ Sci Pollut Res (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09274-2
  • 2020 Howard, A. and Xu, D. (eds) Advances in Constructed Wetlands, Water, 11.
  • 2019 Zhou L, Xu D, Li Y, Pan Q, Wang J, Xue L, Howard A. Phosphorus and Nitrogen Adsorption Capacities of Biochars Derived from Feedstocks at Different Pyrolysis Temperatures. Water. 2019; 11(8):1559.
  • 2019 Li, Y., Xu, D., Zhou, D. Zhou, L. and Howard, A. Effect of earthworm and loach on Typha augustifolia aboveground and root litter residue in an integrated vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland, Wetlands Ecology and Management, 27, 393-404.
  • 2019 Xu, D. Cao, J. Li, Y. Howard, A. and Yu, K. Effect of pyrolysis temperature on characteristics of biochars derived from different feedstocks: A case study on ammonium adsorption capacity, Waste Management, 87, 652-660.
  • 2016 Xu, D. Yingxue, L. Howard, A. Effect of the interaction of earthworms and substrates on photosynthetic characteristics, nitrogen, and phosphorus uptake Iris pseudacorus in constructed wetland system, Environmental Engineering & Management Journal, 15, 123-132.
  • 2016 Defu Xu, Jiaru Gu, Yingxue Li, Yu Zhang, Alan Howard, Yidong Guan, Jiuhai Li, & Hui Xu Purifying capability, enzyme activity, and nitrification potentials in December in integrated vertical flow constructed wetland with earthworms and different substrates, Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23:273–281.
  • 2016 Howard, A. and Xu, D. (Eds) Constructed Wetlands Systems and Management, Water,  special issue.
    • Yang, Zhongchen; Wang, Qian; Zhang, Jian; Xie, Huijun; Feng, Suping (2016) Effect of Plant Harvesting on the Performance of Constructed Wetlands during Summer, Water: 8. (academic editor: Alan Howard and Defu Xu)
    • Albalawneh, Abeer; Chang, Tsun-Kuo; Chou, Chi-Su; Naoum, Sireen (2016) Efficiency of a Horizontal Sub-Surface Flow Constructed Wetland Treatment System in an Arid Area, Water: 8. (academic editor: Alan Howard)
    • Mateus, Dina; Vaz, Maalda; Capela, Isabel; Pinho, Henrique (2016) The Potential Growth of Sugarcane in Constructed Wetlands Designed for Tertiary reatment of Wastewater, Water: 8. (academic editor: Alan Howard)
    • Chairawiwut, Warawut; McMartin, Dena; Azam, Shahid (2016) Salts Removal from Synthetic Solution-Potash Brine by Non-Planted Constructed Wetlands, Water: 8. (academic editor: Alan Howard)
    • Mirjafari, Parissa; Baldwin, Susan (2016) Decline in Performance of Biochemical Reactors for Sulphate Removal from Mine-Influenced Water is Accompanied by Changes in Organic Matter Characteristics and Microbial Population Composition, Water: 8. (academic editor: Alan Howard)
    • Rozema, Eric; VanderZaag, Andrew; Wood, Jeff; Drizo, Aleksandra; Zheng, Youbin; Madani, Ali; Gordon, Robert (2016) Constructed Wetlands for Agricultural Wastewater Treatment in Northeastern North America: A Review, Water: 8. (academic editor: Alan Howard)
    • Bosak, Vera; VanderZaag, Andrew; Crolla, Anna; Kinsley, Christopher; Gordon, Robert (2016) Performance of a Constructed Wetland and Pretreatment System Receiving Potato Farm Wash Water, Water: 8. (academic editor: Alan Howard)
    • Fatehi Pouladi, Soheil; Anderson, Bruce; Wootton, Brent; Rozema, Lloyd (2016) Evaluation of Phytodesalination Potential of Vegetated Bioreactors Treating Greenhouse Effluent, Water: 8. (academic editor: Fabio Masi and Alan Howard)
    • Shih, Shang-Shu; Hong, Shang-Shang; Chang, Tsang-Jung (2016) Flume Experiments for Optimizing the Hydraulic Performance of a Deep-Water Wetland Utilizing Emergent Vegetation and Obstructions, Water: 8. (academic editor: Alan Howard).
  • 2015 Xu, Defu & Gu, Jiaru & Li, Yingxue & Zhang, Yu & Howard, Alan & Guan, Yidong & Li, Jiuhai & Xu, Hui. Purifying capability, enzyme activity, and nitrification potentials in December in integrated vertical flow constructed wetland with earthworms and different substrates. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 23. 10.1007/s11356-015-5734-6.
  • 2015. Xu, D., Wang, L., Huili, L., Yingxue, L., Howard, A., Guan, Y., Jiuhai, L., Hui, X.  The forms of bioavailability of phosphorus in integrated vertical flow constructed wetland with earthworms and different substrates. Chemosphere, 134, 492-498.
  • 2014 Defu Xu, Yinjuan Wu, Yingxue Li, Alan Howard, Xiaodong Jiang, Yidong Guan, Yongxia Gao Influence of UV radiation on chlorophyll, and antioxidant enzymes of wetland plants in different types of constructed wetland, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21, 10108-10119.
  • 2013 Defu Xu, Yingxue Li, Alan Howard Influence of earthworm Eisenia fetida on removal efficiency of N and P in vertical flow constructed wetland, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Volume 20, Issue 9 , pp 5922-5929
  • 2013 Xu, D., Li, Y., Howard, A. and Guan, Y. Effect of earthworm Eisenia fetida and wetland plants on nitrification and denitrification potentials in vertical flow constructed wetland. Chemosphere, 92 (2). pp. 201-206.
  • 2012 Howard, A. Toxic Cyanobacteria in Bengstsson, L., Herschy, R. and Fairbridge, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Lakes and Reservoirs. Springer. ISBN 9781402056161.
  • 2011 Guven, B. and Howard, A. Sensitivity analysis of a cyanobacterial growth and movement model under two different flow regimes, Environmental Modeling and Assessment. 16:577-589.