Contact

Name

Szabolcs Pap

Position

Research Fellow – Water Technologist

E-Mail Address

szabolcs.pap@uhi.ac.uk

Phone Number

+44 (0) 1847 889676

Joined the ERI

November 1, 2017

Job Description

I am currently a Water Technologist at the Environmental Research Institute, UHI NH in Thurso.

Career

November, 2020 – present: Water Technologist (Researcher) – Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands

 

February, 2018 – present: Teaching Assistant with PhD at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health

 

November, 2017 – October, 2020: Post-Doctoral Research Associate – Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands

 

February, 2015 – January, 2018: Teaching Assistant at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health

Qualifications

November, 2011 – September, 2017: PhD. Environmental Engineering, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences

 

October, 2010 – October, 2011: M.Sc. Environmental Engineering, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences

 

September, 2006 – September, 2010: B.Sc. Environmental Engineering, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences

Publications

“The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.”  Edward Teller

2024

 

Green, R.E., Taggart, M.A., Guiu, M., Waller, H., Pap, S., Sheldon, R., Pain, D.J., 2024. Difference in concentration of lead (Pb) in meat from pheasants killed using lead and iron (Fe) shotgun ammunition. Science of The Total Environment, 916, p.170356.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170356

 

Radenković, M., Petrović, J., Pap, S., Kalijadis, A., Momčilović, M., Krstulović, N., Živković, S., 2024. Waste biomass derived highly-porous carbon material for toxic metal removal: Optimisation, mechanisms and environmental implications. Chemosphere, 347, p.140684.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140684

 

2023

 

Pap, S., Paunovic, O., Prosen, H., Kraševec, I., Trebše, P., Niemi, L., Taggart, M.A., Turk Sekulic, M., 2023. Removal of benzotriazole derivatives by biochar: Potential environmental applications. Environmental Pollution, 334, p.122205.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122205

 

Pap, S., Shearer, L., Gibb, S.W., 2023. Effective removal of metformin from water using an iron-biochar composite: mechanistic studies and performance optimisation. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11 (5), p.110360.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.110360

 

Zhang, J.W., Mariska, S., Pap, S., Tran, H.N., Chao, H.P., 2023. Enhanced separation capacity of carbonaceous materials (hydrochar, biochar, and activated carbon) toward potential toxic metals through grafting copolymerization. Separation and Purification Technology, 320, p.124229.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2023.124229

 

Radovic, S., Pap, S., Niemi, L., Prodanović, J., Turk Sekulic, M., 2023. A review on sustainable technologies for pharmaceutical elimination in wastewaters—a ubiquitous problem of modern society. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 383, p.122121.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2023.122121

 

Valdivia, M.T., Taggart, M.A., Pap, S., Kean, A., Pfleger, S. , Megson, I.L., 2023. Photocatalytic metallic nanomaterials immobilised onto porous structures: Future perspectives for at-source pharmaceutical removal from hospital wastewater and potential benefits over existing technologies. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 52, p.103553.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.103553

 

Gvoic, V., Prica, M., Turk Sekulic, M., Pap, S., Paunovic, O., Mandic, A.K., Becelic-Tomin, M., Vukelic, D., Kerkez, D., 2023. Synergistic effect of Fenton oxidation and adsorption process in treatment of azo printing dye: DSD optimization and reaction mechanism interpretation. Environmental Technology, pp.1-29.

https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2022.2154082

 

Pap, S., Zhang, H., Bogdan, A., Elsby, D.T., Gibb, S.W., Bremner, B., Taggart, M.A., 2023. Pilot-scale phosphate recovery from wastewater to create a fertiliser product: An integrated assessment of adsorbent performance and quality. Water Research, 228 (part B), p.119369.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.119369

 

2022

 

Radovic, S., Turk Sekulic, M., Agarski, B., Pap, S., Vukelic, D., Budak, I., Prodanovic, J., 2022. Life cycle assessment of new bio-based coagulant production for sustainable wastewater treatment. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, pp.1-30.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-022-04440-0

 

Shearer, L., Pap, S., Gibb, S.W., 2022. Removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater: a review of adsorptive approaches, modelling and mechanisms for metformin and macrolides. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 10 (4), p.108106.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2022.108106

 

Pap, S., Gaffney, P.P., Zhao, Q., Klein, D., Li, Y., Kirk, C., Taggart, M.A., 2022. Optimising production of a biochar made from conifer brash and investigation of its potential for phosphate and ammonia removal. Industrial Crops and Products, 185,  p.115165.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.115165

 

Green, R.E., Taggart, M.A., Pain, D.J., Clark, N.A., Clewley, L., Cromie, R., Dodd, S.G., Elliot; B., Green, R.M.W., Huntley, B., Huntley, J., Pap, S., Porter, R., Robinson, J.A., Sheldon, R., Smith, K.W., Smith, L., Spencer, J., Stroud, D., 2022. Effectiveness of actions intended to achieve a voluntary transition from the use of lead to non-lead shotgun ammunition for hunting in Britain. Conservation Evidence Journal, 19, 8-14.

https://doi.org/10.52201/CEJ19/SAFD8835

 

Bogdan, A., Robles-Aguilar, A.A., Liang, Q., Pap, S., Michels, E., Meers, E., 2022. Substrate-driven phosphorus bioavailability dynamics of novel inorganic and organic fertilizing products recovered from municipal wastewater—tests with Ryegrass. Agronomy, 12(2), 292.

http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020292

 

Pap, S., Gaffney, P.P., Bremner, B., Turk Sekulic, M., Maletic, S., Gibb, S.W., Taggart, M.A., 2022. Enhanced phosphate removal and potential recovery from wastewater by thermo-chemically calcinated shell adsorbents. Science of The Total Environment, 814, p.152794.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152794

 

2021

 

Pap, S., Turk Sekulic, M., Bremner, B. and Taggart, M.A., 2021. From molecular to large-scale phosphorous recovery from wastewater using cost-effective adsorbents: an integrated approach. In Integrated and Hybrid Process Technology for Water and Wastewater Treatment (pp. 61-85). Elsevier.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-823031-2.00025-2

 

Pap, S., Stankovits, G.J., Gyalai-Korpos, M., Makó, M., Erdélyi, I., Turk Sekulic, M., 2021. Biochar application in organics and ultra-violet quenching substances removal from sludge dewatering leachate for algae production. Journal of Environmental Management, 298, p.113446.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113446

 

Pap, S., Boyd, K.G., Taggart, M.A., Turk Sekulic, M., 2021. Circular economy based landfill leachate treatment with sulphur-doped microporous biochar. Waste Management, 124C, 160-171.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2021.01.037

 

Pap, S., Taggart, M.A., Shearer, L., Li, Y., Radovic, S., Turk Sekulic, M., 2021. Removal behaviour of NSAIDs from wastewater using a P-functionalised microporous carbon. Chemosphere, 264, p.128439.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128439

 

Li, Y., Taggart, M.A., McKenzie, C., Zhang, Z., Lu, Y., Pap, S., Gibb, S.W., 2021. A SPE-HPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of prioritised pharmaceuticals and EDCs with high environmental risk potential in freshwater. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 100, 18-27.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2020.07.013

 

2020

 

Zhang, H., Pap, S., Taggart, M.A., Boyd, K.G., James, N.A., Gibb, S.W., 2020. A review of the potential utilisation of plastic waste as adsorbent for removal of hazardous priority contaminants from aqueous environments. Environmental Pollution, 258, p.113698.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113698

 

Pap, S., Kirk, C., Bremner, B., Turk Sekulic, M., Gibb, S.W., Maletic, S., Taggart, M.A., 2020. Synthesis optimisation and characterisation of chitosan-calcite adsorbent from fishery-food waste for phosphorus removal. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27, 9790–9802.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-07570-0

 

Pap, S., Kirk, C., Bremner, B., Turk Sekulic, M., Shearer, L., Gibb, S.W., Taggart, M.A., 2020. Low-cost chitosan-calcite adsorbent development for potential phosphate removal and recovery from wastewater effluent. Water Research, 173, p.115573.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.115573

 

Pap, S., Kirk, C., Bremner, B., Turk Sekulic, M., Shearer, L., Gibb, S.W., Taggart, M.A., 2020. Reply to comments on “Low-cost chitosan-calcite adsorbent development for potential phosphate removal and recovery from wastewater effluent” by Pap et al. [Water research 173 (2020) 115573]. Water Research, 179, 115828.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.115828

 

2019

 

Rae, I.B., Pap, S., Svobodova, D., Gibb, S.W., 2019. Comparison of sustainable biosorbents and ion-exchange resins to remove Sr2+ from simulant nuclear wastewater: Batch, dynamic and mechanism studies. Science of the Total Environment650, 2411-2422.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.396

 

Turk Sekulic, M., Boskovic, N., Slavkovic, A., Garunovic, J., Kolakovic, S., Pap, S., 2019. Surface functionalised adsorbent for emerging pharmaceutical removal: Adsorption performance and mechanisms. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 125, 50-63.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2019.03.007

 

Paunovic, O., Pap, S., Maletic, S., Taggart, M.A., Boskovic, N., Turk Sekulic, M., 2019. Ionisable emerging pharmaceutical adsorption onto microwave functionalised biochar derived from novel lignocellulosic waste biomass. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science547, 350-360.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2019.04.011 

 

Turk Sekulic, M., Boskovic, N., Milanovic, M., Grujic Letic, N., Gligoric, E., Pap, S., 2019. An insight into the adsorption of three emerging pharmaceutical contaminants on multifunctional carbonous adsorbent: Mechanisms, modelling and metal coadsorption. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 284, 372-382.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2019.04.020

 

Li, Y., Taggart, M.A., McKenzie, C., Zhang, Z., Lu, Y., Pap, S., Gibb, S., 2019. Utilizing low-cost natural waste for the removal of pharmaceuticals from water: Mechanisms, isotherms and kinetics at low concentrations. Journal of Cleaner Production, 227, 88-97.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.081

 

2018

 

Vukelic, D., Boskovic, N., Agarski, B., Radonic, J., Budak, I., Pap, S., Turk Sekulic, M., 2018. Eco-design of a low-cost adsorbent produced from waste cherry kernels. Journal of cleaner production174, 1620-1628.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.098

 

Turk Sekulic, M., Pap, S., Stojanović, Z., Bošković, N., Radonić, J., Knudsen, T.Š., 2018. Efficient removal of priority, hazardous priority and emerging pollutants with Prunus armeniaca functionalized biochar from aqueous wastes: experimental optimization and modeling. Science of the Total Environment613, 736-750.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.082

 

Adamović, D., Dorić, J., Miloradov, M.V., Adamović, S., Pap, S., Radonić, J., Turk Sekulic, M., 2018. The emission of BTEX compounds during movement of passenger car in accordance with the NEDC. Science of the Total Environment639, 339-349.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.142

 

Pap, S., Bezanovic, V., Radonic, J., Babic, A., Saric, S., Adamovic, D., Turk Sekulic, M., 2018. Synthesis of highly-efficient functionalized biochars from fruit industry waste biomass for the removal of chromium and lead. Journal of Molecular Liquids268, 315-325.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2018.07.072

 

2017

 

Pap, S., Knudsen, T.Š., Radonić, J., Maletić, S., Igić, S.M. Turk Sekulic, M., 2017. Utilization of fruit processing industry waste as green activated carbon for the treatment of heavy metals and chlorophenols contaminated water. Journal of cleaner production162, 958-972.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.083

 

2016

 

Milanović, M., Mihajlović, I., Pap, S., Brborić, M., Đogo, M., Grujić Letić, N., Nježić, Z., Milić, N., 2016. Necessity of meat-processing industry’s wastewater treatment—a one-year trial in Serbia. Desalination and Water Treatment57(34), 15806-15812.

https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2015.1075431

 

Pap, S., Radonić, J., Trifunović, S., Adamović, D., Mihajlović, I., Miloradov, M.V., Turk Sekulic, M., 2016. Evaluation of the adsorption potential of eco-friendly activated carbon prepared from cherry kernels for the removal of Pb2+, Cd2+ and Ni2+ from aqueous wastes. Journal of environmental management184, 297-306.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.09.089

 

2014

 

Mihajlović, I., Pap, S., Sremački, M., Brborić, M., Babunski, D., Đogo, M., 2014. Comparison of spectrolyser device measurements with standard analysis of wastewater samples in Novi Sad, Serbia. Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology93(3), 354-359.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-014-1323-5

Profile

I am an environmental-chemical engineer with 11 years’ experience (6 years post-doctoral), with 36 publications to date (an international journals). I’ve spent 16 years in academia, studying, lecturing and undertaking research. I hold a board range of interdisciplinary research interest, but focus on (a) adsorption technology in water and wastewater treatment for removal of emerging contaminants (metals/metalloids and pharmaceuticals) and phosphorous recovery, (b) synthesis, functionalisation and characterisation of adsorbent mediums from biomass and other waste/raw materials (‘circular economy’), (c) implementation of lab-scale water treatment technologies in industry (scale-up and pilot testing).