Eung Seok Lee

Dr. Eung Seok Lee
Associate Professor & Chair
Clippinger 327, Athens Campus
Earth and Environmental Geosciences
leee1@ohio.edu
740-597-3320

Education

Ph.D, Indiana University
MS, Yonsei University
BS, Yonsei University

Research Interests

Hydrogeology

  • Contaminant hydrogeology
  • Environmental isotope hydrology
  • Carbonate-rock hydrogeology

He conducts hydrogeological research across four primary areas: contaminant hydrogeology, environmental monitoring and remediation, isotope hydrology, and carbonate rock hydrogeology. His total research funding as PI or Co PI amounts to $2,822,433, and since joining Ohio University in 2008, he has secured $600,820 in net awards as the sole Principal Investigator. Representative projects he has led include:

  1. Quantitative analyses of biogas (N₂O) emissions in groundwater dependent ecosystems: A field, laboratory, and modeling study;
  2. KMnO₄ treatment of large, dilute, or deep plumes of chlorinated solvents in groundwater;
  3. Novel technologies for the best management of nonpoint source pollution;
  4. Cost effective and adaptive treatment of dissolved metals in acid mine drainage (AMD) using controlled release hydrogen peroxide.

Courses Taught

  • ERTH 3/700 Groundwater Fundamentals and Practices (3/4 cr.)
  • ERTH 4/5800 Principles of Hydrogeology (3/4 cr.)
  • ERTH 4/5811 Advanced Hydrogeology (3/4 cr.)
  • ERTH 5700 Groundwater Fundamentals and Practices (4 cr.) – Online MS
  • ERTH 1350 Natural Disasters (3 cr.)
  • ERTH 2310 Water and Pollution (3 cr.)
  • ERTH 2170 Water Resources and Sustainability (3 cr.)
  • ERTH 2150 Environmental Geology (3 cr.)

Professional Appointments

2014 - present, Associate Professor

2008-2014, Assistant Professor

Representative Publications

Selected Publications (*: as corresponding author)

  • Acheampong, E., *Lee, E.S., 2024. Low-temperature slow-release permanganate gel for groundwater remediation: Dynamics in saturated porous media, Chemosphere, 262, 142716. (IF: 8.2; IS: 19.7)
  • *Lee, E.S., Tong, L., Kim, Y., Kim, Y., Schwartz, F.W., 2024. Managing Storm Runoff Contamination Using Slow-Release Oxidants: Laboratory Investigations, ACS EST Water, 4, 9, 3773–3780. (IF: 4.2; IS: 4.8)
  • Hastings, J.L., *Lee, E.S., 2021. Optimization and Analysis of a Slow-Release Permanganate Gel for Groundwater Remediation in Porous and Low-Permeability Media, Water, 13(6), 755. (IF: 3.3; IS: 13.3)
  • *Lee, E.S. and Gupta, N., 2014. Development and characterization of colloidal silica based slow release permanganate gel (SRP G): Laboratory investigations, Chemosphere, 109, 195–201. (IF: 8.2; IS: 19.7)
  • *Lee, E.S., Olson, P., ++Gupta, N., Solpuker, U., Schwartz, F.W., Kim, Y., 2014. Permanganate gel (PG) for groundwater remediation: Compatibility, gelation, and release characteristics, Chemosphere, 97, 140–145. (IF: 8.2; IS: 19.7)
  • Antonacci, T., *Lee, E.S., Kim, Y., 2013. Characterizing and predicting contaminant transport in the Newport Wellfield aquifer, Ohio, Geoscience Journal, DOI 10.1007/s12303-013-0045-8.
  • Cho, D.W., Jeon, B.H., Chon, C., Kim, Y., Schwartz, F.W., Lee, E.S., Song, H., 2012. A novel chitosan/clay/magnetite composite for adsorption of Cu(II) and As(V), Chemical Engineering Journal, 200-202, 654–662. (IF: 13.4, IS: 21.7)
  • Cho, D.W., Chon, C.M., Jeon, B.H., Kim, Y., Schwartz, F.W., Lee, E.S., Song, H., 2011. Adsorption of nitrate and Cr(VI) by cationic polymer modified granular activated carbon, Chemical Engineering Journal, 175, 298-305.
  • Hwang, J, Choi, J., Min, B., Song, H., Abou-shanab, R.A.I., Kim, Y., Lee, E.S., Jeon, G.H., 2011. Feasibility of hydrogen production from ripened fruits by a combined two stage (dark/dark) fermentation system, Bioresource Technology, 102 (2) 1051-8.
  • Hwang, J., Choi, J., Abou-Shanab, R.A.I., Bhatnagar, A., Min, B., Song, H., Kumar, E., Choi, J., Lee, E.S., Kim, Y., Um, S, Lee, D.S., Jeon, B.H., 2009. Effect of pH and sulfate concentration on hydrogen production using anaerobic mixed microflora, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 34, 24, 9702-9710.
  • Woo, N.C., Hyun, S.G., Park, W.W., *Lee, E.S., Schwartz, F.W., 2009. Characteristics of permanganate oxidation of TCE at low reagent concentrations, Environmental Technology, 30, 13, 1337 - 1342.
  • Lee, B.S., Kim, J., H., Lee, K.C., Kim, Y.B., Schwartz, F.W., *Lee, E.S., Woo, N.C., Lee, M.K., 2009. Efficacy of Controlled-release KMnO4 (CRP) for Controlling Dissolved TCE Plume in Groundwater: A Large Flow-tank Study, Chemosphere 74, 6, 745-750.
  • *Lee, E.S., Liu, G., Schwartz, F.W., Kim, Y., Ibaraki, M., 2008. Model-based evaluation of controlled-release systems in the remediation of dissolved plumes in groundwater, Chemosphere, 72, 165-173.
  • *Lee, E.S., Woo, N.C., Schwartz, F.W., Lee, B.S., Lee, K.C., Woo, M.H., Kim, J.H., Kim, H.K., 2008. Characterization of controlled-release KMnO4 (CRP) barrier system for groundwater remediation: A pilot-scale flow tank study, Chemosphere, 71, 902-910.
  • Schwartz, F.W., *Lee, E.S., Kim, Y., 2008. Lessons from practice in the assessment and remediation of contaminated ground water, Geosciences Journal, 12, 97-105.
  • *Lee, E.S., Schwartz, F.W., 2007. Characterization and optimization of long-term controlled release system for groundwater remediation: A Generalized modeling approach, Chemosphere, 69, 247-253.
  • *Lee, E.S., Schwartz, F.W., 2007, Characterization and applications of controlled release KMnO4 for groundwater remediation, Chemosphere, 66, 2058- 2066.
  • *Lee, E.S. and Krothe, N.C., 2003, Delineating groundwater-flow systems in a karst terrain, south-central Indiana: using sulphate concentration and 34Ssulphate as tracers, Applied Geochemistry, 18, 1, 145-153.
  • *Lee, E.S., Hendry, M.J., Hollings, P., 2003. Use of O2 consumption and CO2 production in kinetic cells to delineate pyrite oxidation-carbonate buffering and microbial respiration in unsaturated media, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 65, 3-4, 203-217.
  • *Lee, E.S., Seol, Y., Fang, Y.C., Schwartz, F.W., 2003. Destruction efficiencies and dynamics of reaction fronts associated with the permanganate oxidation of trichloroethylene, Environmental Science and Technology, 37, 2540-2546.
  • *Lee, E.S., Birkham, T.K., Hendry, M.J., Wassenaar, L., 2003. Microbial respiration and diffusive transport of O2, 16O2, and 18O16O in unsaturated zone, Environmental Science and Technology, 37, 2913-2919.
  • Birkham, T., Hendry. M.J., Wassenaar, L., Mendoza, C., Lee, E.S., 2003. Characterizing geochemical reactions in unsaturated mine waste-rock piles using gaseous O2, CO2, 12CO2, and, 13CO2, Environmental Science and Technology, 37, 496-501.
  • *Lee, E.S. and Krothe, N.C., 2001. A four-component mixing model for water in a karst terrain in south-central Indiana, U.S.A. using solute concentration and stable isotopes as tracers, Chemical Geology, 179, 1-4, 129-143.

Graduate Advisees'

  • Pam Olson, 2011, Verdantas, Hudson, OH: Project Manager
  • Sying Sun, 2011
  • Thomas Antonacci, 2012, Lagan Engineering and Environmental Services, Pittsburgh, PA: Senior project manager
  • Neha Gupta, 2013, U of Arizona, Assistant Research Professor (Ph.D., U. of Arizona)
  • Lizhi Tong, 2013, South China Institute of Environmental Science, Scientist (Ph.D., Southern University of Science and Technology)
  • Timothy Eyerdom, 2014, Ohio EPA, Akron, OH: Environmental Specialist 3
  • Sam Miller, 2015, US Geological Survey, VA: Hydrogeologist (Ph.D., U of Wyoming)
  • Jesse Hastings, 2015, Hydrogeologist, WV
  • Stuart Holms, 2016, AECOM, Seattle, WA: Staff Hydrogeologist
  • Chadaporn Bukarasum, 2016, Thailand Geological Survey, Scientist
  • Paige Pramik, 2017, Barton and Loguidice, NY: Hydrogeologist II
  • Alex Nadas, 2018, Federal Agency, Washington DC
  • Rex Cosgrove , 2020, WSP, Shelton, CT, Hydrogeologist
  • Ryan Wolbert, 2020, Department of Water Resources, ND: Hydrogeologist III
  • Ojo Ogundare, 2021, University of Alabama: Ph.D. student
  • Thomas Johns, 2022, Trihydro, Cincinnati OH: Project Geologist
  • Luke Linville, 2022, ERM, OH: Geological Consultant 2
  • Emmanuel Acheampong, 2023, Freeport-McMoran, AZ: Geologist
  • Jack Dubuc, 2024, Mannik & Smith Group in Maumee, OH: Geologist
  • Jarod Knight, 2024, Verdantas, Dublin OH: Staff Hydrogeologist
  • Samuel Combert, 2025, Freeport-McMoran, NM: Geologist
  • Ethan Bohyer, 2025, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, MI: Hydrogeologist
  • Kristin Andrews, 2026*
  • Ross Starke, 2026*
  • Abel Egware, 2026*
  • Scarlett Oaks, 2027*
  • Jacob Riba, 2027*

*Expected