Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering

A. Lynn Roberts


Professor
Geography and Environmental Engineering
http://engineering.jhu.edu/~dogee/g/?id=113 ()

Ames Hall 206 (office)
410-516-4387 ()
lroberts@jhu.edu (primary)

Education

Postdoctoral Studies 1993, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ph.D. 1991, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.Sc. 1984, University of Waterloo
B.A. 1977, Pomoma College

Experience

1999-2003: Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
1993-1999: Assistant Professor of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
1991-1992: Lecturer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1978-1982: Staff Hydrogeologist, LeRoy Crandall and Associates
2003-0: Professor of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
2011-: Institution/Company Name, Title, (description optional)

Research Areas

water treatment
water quality
subsurface remediation
reaction kinetics and mechanisms in natural waters
organic pollutants
hazardous waste management
groundwater contamination
environmental pollutant transport
environmental pollutant transformations
environmental chemistry
Emerging organic contaminants
aquatic chemistry

Journal Articles

Sivey, J.D., Roberts, A.L. (2012). Assessing the Reactivity of Free Chlorine Constituents Cl-2, Cl2O, and HOCl Toward Aromatic Ethers. Environmental Science & Technology. 46(4). 2141-2147.
DOI » View record in Web of Science SM
Sivey, J.D., Roberts, A.L. (2012). Abiotic Reduction Reactions of Dichloroacetamide Safeners: Transformations of Inert Agrochemical Constituents. Environmental Science & Technology. 46(4). 2187-2195.
DOI » View record in Web of Science SM
Bisceglia, K.J., Roberts, A.L., Lippa, K.A. (2012). A hydrolysis procedure for the analysis of total cocaine residues in wastewater. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 402(3). 1277-1287.
DOI » View record in Web of Science SM
Sivey, J.D., Mccollogh, C.T., Roberts, A.L. (2010). Chlorine monoxide (Cl2O) and molecular chlorine (Cl2) as active chlorinating agents in reaction of dimethenamid with aqueous free chlorine. Environ. Sci. Technol.. 44. 3357-3362.
Cwiertny, D.M., Arnold, W.A., Kohn, T., Rodenburg, L.A., Roberts, A.L. (2010). Reactivity of alkyl polyhalides toward granular iron: development of QSARs and reactivity cross correlations for reductive dehalogenation.. Environ. Sci. Technol.. 44. 7928-7936.

Awards & Honors

2010: Student Poster Award (awarded jointly to John D. Sivey, PhD student), Gordon Research Conference - "Environmental Sciences - Water"
2010: Young Scientist Predoctoral Research Award (awarded jointly to John D. Sivey, PhD student), Agrochemicals Division, American Chemical Society
2010: Graduate Student Paper Award (awarded jointly to John D. Sivey, PhD student)
2005: Young Scientist Predoctoral Research Award (runner-up; awarded jointly to M. L. Hladik, Ph.D. student), Agrochemicals Division, American Chemical Society
2004: Graduate Student Paper Award (awarded jointly to T. Kohn, Ph.D. student), Environmental Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society
2004: Student Poster Award (awarded jointly to M. L. Hladik, Ph. D. student; 1 of 2 granted), Gordon Research Conference (Environmental Sciences: Water), Plymouth, NH
2004: 2nd place award in student poster competition (awarded jointly to M. L. Hladik, Ph. D. student), Agrochemicals Division, American Chemical Society
2007 - 2007: Certificate of Merit for Presentation, American Chemical Society, Division of Environmental Chemistry
2005 - 2005: Graduate Student Paper Award (awarded jointly to D. M. Cwiertny, Ph.D. student), Environmental Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society
2005 - 2005: Student Poster Award (first place; awarded jointly to K. J. Bisceglia, Ph. D. student), AEESP
2003 - 2003: Excellence in Review Award, Environmental Science and Technology
2000: AEESP/CH2M Hill Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award (awarded jointly to W. A. Arnold, Ph.D. student)
2000: Young Scientist Predoctoral Research Award (first place; awarded jointly to K. A. Lippa, Ph.D. student), Agrochemicals Division, American Chemical Society
1999: Undergraduate Student Council Teaching Award
1999: Graduate Student Paper Award (awarded jointly to W. A. Arnold, Ph.D. student), Environmental Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society
1998: Student Paper Award (awarded jointly to K. A. Lippa, Ph.D. student), Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Chesapeake and Potomac Regional Chapter
1998: Graduate Student Paper Award (awarded jointly to L. A. Totten, Ph.D. student), Environmental Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society
1997: Certificate of Merit (awarded jointly to W. A. Arnold, Ph.D. student), Environmental Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society
1994: Young Investigator Award, National Science Foundation
1990: Graduate Student Award, American Chemical Society, Environmental Chemistry Division
1990: Graduate Student Paper Award, American Chemical Society, Environmental Chemistry Division
1990: Certificate of Merit for Presentation, American Chemical Society, Environmental Chemistry Division
1986: Nominated to Sigma Xi

Presentations

Chlorine monoxide (Cl2O) and molecular chlorine (Cl2) as active chlorinating agents in reaction of dimethenamid with aqueous free chlorine. National Meeting, American Chemical Society, Boston, MA August 2010., August 22, 2012
Rediscovery of Cl2 and Cl2O as Potent (and Often Overlooked) Chlorinating Agents in Solutions of Free Chlorine. Special Symposium in Honor of Martin Reinhard, Environmental Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society, March 25-29, 2012, San Diego, California, March 26, 2012
Active halogenating agents in solutions of free available chlorine: a tale of serendipity and rediscovery. Seminar presented at Eawag, Dubendorf, Switzerland., January 20, 2012
Active halogenating agents in solutions of free available chlorine: a tale of serendipity and rediscovery. Seminar presented at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland., January 18, 2012
Anticipating seasonal variations in the biodegradation of emerging contaminants in a wastewater-affected estuary United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Graduate Fellowship Conference. Washington, D. C.. 2006-09-25., September 25, 2006
Occurrence and biodegradability of selected pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Graduate Fellowship Conference. Washington, D. C.. 2006-09-25., September 25, 2006
Characterizing the effects of chemical properties and sewage treatment plant operating conditions on the removal of pharmaceutical and antiseptics Maryland State Groundwater Symposium. Baltimore, MD. 2006-09-20. (Invited), September 20, 2006
Occurrence and removal of selected pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in sewage treatment plants and their behavior during biofiltration American Water Works Association Tri-State Annual Meeting. Ocean City, MD. 2006-08-30., August 30, 2006
Reactivity of organohalides toward granular iron, Cr(II), and an iron(II) porphyrin: a correlation analysis symposium to honor Rene P. Schwarzenbach, 231st National Meeting, American Chemical Society, Division of Environmental Chemistry. Atlanta, GA. 2006-03-28. (Invited), March 28, 2006
Predicting the influence of operating characteristics on pharmaceutical and personal care products removal in wastewater treatment plants 231st National Meeting, American Chemical Society, Atlanta, GA. Atlanta, GA. 2006-03-26., March 26, 2006
Neutral Degradates of Chloroacetamide Herbicides: Could We Have Anticipated Them As Potential “Emerging Contaminants”? Symposium on "Emerging Pollutants", PacifiChem. Honolulu, Hawaii. 2005-12-16. (Invited), December 16, 2005
Occurrence and Removal of Selected Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in Sewage Treatment Plants Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 26th Annual Meeting in North America. Baltimore MD. 2005-11-13., November 13, 2005
The utility of “back-of-the-envelope” approaches in prioritizing environmental occurrence and risk studies on pharmaceuticals Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 26th Annual Meeting in North America. Baltimore MD. 2005-11-13., November 13, 2005
Exploring the influence of Fe0 metal additives on the rates of 1,1,1-trichloroethane, cis-dichloroethane, and water reduction by bimetallic reductants Student Paper Award Symposium, Division of Environmental Chemistry, American Chemical Society. Washington DC. 2005-08-30., August 30, 2005
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products as Environmental Contaminants (1): Preliminary Environmental Risk Calculations and Method Development for Analysis in Environmental Media via GC/MS USEPA Conference of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment. Las Vegas, NV. 2005-08-24. (Invited), August 24, 2005
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products as Environmental Contaminants (2): Biodegradability Studies and Occurrence in Sewage Treatment Plant Influent and Effluent USEPA Conference of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment. Las Vegas, NV. 2005-08-24. (Invited), August 24, 2005
Reductive degradation of organohalides by bimetallic iron 230th National Meeting, American Chemical Society, Division of Inorganic Chemistry. Washington DC. 2005-08-00. (Invited), July 31, 2005
A Usage Study and Preliminary Environmental Risk Assessment on Human Pharmaceuticals in the United States Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, Biennial Conference on Research and Education. Potsdam, NY. 2005-07-23., July 23, 2005
Biodegradation of Selected Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCP) Using Different Electron Acceptors Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, Biennial Conference on Research and Education. Potsdam, NY. 2005-07-23., July 23, 2005
Occurrence and treatment of neutral chloroacetamide degradates in Midwestern U.S. drinking water. Award paper givin in symposium on “Young Scientist Predoctoral Research”, Agrochemicals Division, 229th American Chemical Society National Meeting. San Diego, CA. 2005-03-13., March 13, 2005
Neutral chloroacetamide herbicide degradates: environmental occurrence and removal during drinking water treatment 4th SETAC World Congress. Portland OR. 2004-10-14., October 14, 2004
Non-linear influence of iron surface area on the reduction of chlorinated solvents American Chemical Society National Meeting. Philadelphia PA. 2004-08-22., August 22, 2004
Removal of chloroacetamide herbicides and degradates during simulated drinking water treatment American Chemical Society National Meeting. Philadelphia PA. 2004-08-22., August 22, 2004
The effect of silica on the degradation of organohalides in granular iron columns American Chemical Society Annual Meeting. Philadelphia PA. 2004-08-22., August 22, 2004
Neutral chloroacetamide herbicide degradates: occurrence in the Chesapeake Bay and Midwestern U.S. drinking water International Symposium on Pesticides, Their Degradates and Adjuvants. Prague, Czech Republic. 2004-06-04. (Invited), June 4, 2004
Neutral chloroacetamide herbicide degradates: occurrence in selected U.S. locations and treatability in drinking water Gordon Research Conference on Environmental Sciences: Water. Plymouth NH. 2004-06-00., May 31, 2004
Reactivity of organohalides toward granular iron, Cr(II), and an iron(II) porphyrin: a correlation analysis Gordon Research Conference on Environmental Sciences: Water. Plymouth, NH. 2004-06-00., May 31, 2004
Surface characterization and reactivity studies of iron-based bimetallic reductants Gordon Research Conference on Environmental Science: Water. Plymouth NH. 2004-06-00., May 31, 2004
Effects of catalytic metal identity and loading on the reactivity of iron-based bimtellic reductants toward alkyl and vinyl halides Symposium on “Nanotechnology and the Environment”, Industrial Engineering and Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society National Meeting. Anaheim, CA. 2004-03-00., February 29, 2004
Chloroacetanilide herbicides: structural influences on environmental chemistry and fate Seminar presented to the Dept. of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, Oct. 22, 2003.. Yale University. 2003-10-22. (Invited), October 22, 2003
Analysis of neutral chloroacetamide degradates in water via GC/MS Talk given at the 226th American Chemical Society National Meeting. New York. 2003-09-08., September 8, 2003
Characterization of solution-dependent granular iron surface precipitates and their influence on reactivity toward trichloroethylene . Talk given at the 225th American Chemical Society National Meeting. New Orleans, LA. 2003-03-00., February 28, 2003
Chloroacetanilide herbicides: links between structural features, biological activity, and environmental fate Seminar presented at EAWAG-ETH. Dübendorf, Switzerland. 2002-12-13. (Invited), December 13, 2002
Effect of co-solutes on the long-term reactivity of granular iron toward TCE and nitroaromatic compounds Invited presentation, plenary session on “Long-Term Performance of PRBs” at Remediation Technologies Development Forum (RTDF) Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB) Action Team Meeting. Washington, D. C.. 2002-11-07. (Invited), November 7, 2002
Treatment of vapor-phase organohalide contaminants using Fe(0) and bimetallic reductants Poster presented at Remediation Technologies Development Forum (RTDF) Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB) Action Team Meeting. Washington, DC. 2002-11-06., November 6, 2002
Influence of surface composition on the pyrite mediated dechlorination kinetics of alachlor Talk presented at the National Meeting, American Vacuum Society. Denver, CO. 2002-11-00., October 31, 2002
Analysis of pharmaceuticals in natural waters using gas-chromatography – mass spectrometry Talk given in symposium on “Pharmaceuticals”. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 23rd Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, UT. 2002-10-17., October 17, 2002
Applications of surface analysis in the environmental sciences: dehalogenation of chlorocarbons with zero-valent iron and iron-containing mineral surfaces Talk presented in symposium on "Environmental Surface Chemistry". Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies Annual Meeting. Providence, RI. 2002-10-00., September 30, 2002
Preliminary environmental risk assessment associated with human pharmaceutical use in the United States Invited talk in workshop on “Emerging Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment”. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry – Society for Risk Analysis. Durham, NC. 2002-10-00. (Invited), September 30, 2002
Acid- and base-catalyzed hydrolysis of chloroacetamide herbicides Invited talk in symposium on “Chemistry of EPA Contaminant Candidate List Compounds: Degradation Mechanisms and Products”, Environmental Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society National Meeting. Boston, MA. 2002-08-18. (Invited), August 18, 2002
Dechlorination of the herbicide alachlor on pyrite (100) surfaces Invited talk in symposium on “Chemistry of EPA Contaminant Candidate List Compounds: Degradation Mechanisms and Products”, Environmental Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society National Meeting. Boston, MA. 2002-08-18. (Invited), August 18, 2002
Granular iron dissolution and precipitate formation Poster presented at Environmental Sciences: Water Gordon Research Conference. NH. 2002-07-00., June 30, 2002
Chloroacetanilide herbicides: links between structural features, biological activity, and environmental fate Invited talk in symposium on “Environmental Transformations of Anthropogenic Compounds”, 34th Great Lakes Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Minneapolis, MN. 2002-06-04. (Invited), June 4, 2002
A novel derivatization technique for quantifying pharmaceuticals in natural waters using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry Poster presented at Environmental Sciences: Water Gordon Research Conference. NH. 2002-06-00., May 31, 2002
Acid- and base-catalyzed hydrolysis of chloroacetamide herbicides Poster presented at Environmental Sciences: Water Gordon Research Conference. NH. 2002-06-00., May 31, 2002
Dechlorination of the herbicide alachlor on pyrite (001) surfaces Poster presented at Environmental Sciences: Water Gordon Research Conference. NH. 2002-06-00., May 31, 2002
Measurement and interpretation of polysulfides in a natural water Poster presented at Environmental Sciences: Water Gordon Research Conference. NH. 2002-06-00., May 31, 2002
Surface-associated protons as a descriptor of granular iron reactivity in the reduction of 1,1,1-trichloroethane Poster presented at Environmental Sciences: Water Gordon Research Conference. NH. 2002-06-00., May 31, 2002
The inhibitory effect of silica on the degradation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane by granular iron Poster presented at Environmental Sciences: Water Gordon Research Conference. NH. 2002-06-00., May 31, 2002
Co-solute effects on the reactivity of iron with groundwater contaminants Talk presented at the Third International Conference on the Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds. , Monterey, CA. 2002-05-00., April 30, 2002
Evaluation of changes in iron interfacial composition using surface spectroscopy Poster presented in symposium on “Biogeochemical Interactions in Permeable Iron (Fe0) Reactive Barriers and Implications for Environmental Remediation”, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. San Francisco, CA. 2001-12-00., November 30, 2001
The influence of silica on the reactivity of iron towards chlorinated hydrocarbons. Poster presented in symposium on “Biogeochemical Interactions in Permeable Iron (Fe0) Reactive Barriers and Implications for Environmental Remediation”, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting.. San Francisco, CA. 2001-12-00., November 30, 2001
Pharmaceuticals: a preliminary assessment of environmental risk U. S. Center for Disease Control, Workshop on Human Pharmaceuticals in the Environment. Atlanta, GA. 2001-10-00. (Invited), September 30, 2001
Environmentally significant human pharmaceuticals Seminar presented as part of Chem. 729, “Pharmaceuticals in the Environment”, Environmental Chemistry course taught at University of Maryland. College Park, MD. 2001-04-00. (Invited), March 31, 2001
Contaminant reduction by cast iron: evaluation of transport properties IWA Conference. Berlin. 2001-00-00., November 30, 2000
Implications of time variable transport properties on contaminant reduction by cast iron Paper presented at American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting. Boston, MA. 2001-00-00., November 30, 2000

Committees

2010 - 2010: Member, External Advisory Committee, Department of Environmental Sciences, ETH-Zurich
2008 - 2010: Member, search committee, environmental/molecular microbiologist, Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, JHU
2008 - 2009: Member, Academic Council
1999 - 1999: Served on external review committee for Industrial Research Chair at the University of Waterloo on behalf of the Canadian National Sciences and Engineering Research Council