Professor, EEES
Senior Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors
Clemson University
230 Kappa Street
864.656.7701
E-mail: tkaranf@clemson.edu
Ph.D. Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 1995
M.S. Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 1991
B.S. Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 1988
Professional Registration
International Water Association Fellow
Professional Engineer, South Carolina, 2003, No. 23143
Board Certified Environmental Engineer, 2005, No. 04-10040
Classes | Publications | Honors | CV
Faculty Overview
Dr. Karanfil's primary teaching and research interests are in the fundamentals and applications of physicochemical processes in water, wastewater and hazardous waste treatment systems. His research group is particularly interested in applying the fundamentals of chemistry and engineering to address environmental challenges faced in practical applications, including both engineered and natural systems.
Dr. Karanfil has made significant scientific contributions (detailed below) in the areas of (i.) environmental treatment technologies, (ii.) disinfection by-product formation, (iii.) adsorption processes, and (iv.) wildfire impacts in water treatment.
- Development of novel environmental treatment technologies: Dr. Karanfil and his research group have also explored the use of nanobubbles in both natural and engineered systems. Further, he has investigated the regeneration/reactivation of activated carbons and biosolids saturated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using microwave and thermal regeneration techniques. He has conducted fundamental mechanistic studies of these processes as well as examined factors controlling their practical applications.
- Disinfection by-product (DBP) formation: Dr. Karanfil's research has focused mainly on the formation and control of both regulated and emerging DBPs that are known to form in water but are not yet regulated. His research on trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, halonitromethanes, haloacetonitriles, haloaldeyhes, iodotrihalomethanes and nitrosamines revealed the factors (e.g., precursors, water chemistry, oxidant types, operational conditions) controlling their formation in drinking water, desalinated waters, wastewater effluents, as well as swimming pools. While studying the emerging DBPs, he used a holistic approach, including regulated DBPs and toxicological assessment, to develop practical solutions for water utilities. The publications from the DBP research have also been highly cited in the literature, indicating their impact.
- Adsorption Processes: Karanfil and his students have elucidated and advanced our understanding of the removal mechanisms of synthetic organic contaminants (SOCs) as well as natural organic matter by carbonaceous adsorbents (activated carbons, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphenes, ion exchange resins, microplastics). Karanfil has tailored sorbents for the selective removal of target compounds from water and wastewater. He has developed quantitative structure relationships for modeling SOC adsorption by carbon nanotubes, which opened a new area of research in the literature. His publications from the adsorption work have been highly cited, indicating utilization by the scientific community. His work has guided the selection of sorbents and the design and operation of effective adsorbers and ion-exchange systems for water and wastewater treatment. He has developed and produced carbonaceous adsorbents, including their scale-up for commercial production, from agricultural waste products for their valorization and reuse. His recent work has also examined the adsorptive interactions of microplastics in the environment. Furthermore, his adsorption research documented the potentially negative environmental impacts of the release of carbon nanotubes in natural systems.
- Wildfires impact on water quality: In recent years, Dr. Karanfil and his collaborators have also investigated the impacts of wildfires on water quality and treatability. He investigated the impacts of wildfires around the U.S. Furthermore, he and his research group have studied the impact of fire-control techniques (e.g., prescribed fires, mechanical testing) to control wildfires, which have been systematically investigated for the first time, and showed that some of these techniques can be viable for certain regions to minimize the negative impacts and risks of wildfires.
Class Information
For current syllabi, please search the Clemson University Syllabus Repository.
EES 8030 Physicochemical Operations in Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems
EES 8050 Laboratory in Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations
EES 8060 Drinking Water Treatment Plant Design
Selected Publications
Ku, P., Tsui, M., Uzun, H., Chen, H., Dahlgren, R., Hoang, T., Karanfil, T., Zhong, H., Miao, A-J., Pan, K., Lam, H., Chow, A. “Dominance of Particulate Mercury in-stream Transport and Rapid Watershed Recovery from Preceding Summer Fires in Northern California, USA," Environmental Science and Technology,” 58, 22159 (2024).
Liu, C., Liu, H., Hu, C, Chow, A.T. and Karanfil, T., “Molecular Transformation of Algal Organic Matter during Pre-oxidation Processes: Comparison of Chlorine, Bromine, Chloramine, Ozone, and Permanganate,” ACS Water, 4, 5890-5901 (2024).
Ullah, R., Farias, J., Feyissa, B.A., Tsui, M. T-K., Chow, A., Williams, C., Karanfil, T. and Ayalew, L-O. “Combined Effects of Polyamide Microplastic and Sulfamethoxazole in Modulating the Growth and Transcriptome Profile of Hydroponically Grown Rice (Oryza sativa L.),” Science of the Total Environment, 952, 175909 (2024).
Ersan, G., Ersan, M.S. and Karanfil, T. “Statistical Modeling for Iodinated Trihalomethanes: Preformed Chloramination versus Prechlorination Followed by Ammonia Addition,” Chemosphere, 356, 142876 (2024).
Chowdhury, S. and Karanfil, T. “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drinking Water Treatment Processes: Applications and Possibilities,” Chemosphere, 356, 141958, (2024).
Liu, H., Zhang, X., Karanfil, T. and Liu, C. “Insight into the Chemical Transformation and Organic Release of Polyurethane Microplastiscs during Chlorination,” Environmental Pollution, 341, 122976, (2024).
Li, G., Tian, C., Karanfil, T. and Liu, C. “Comparative formation of Chlorinated and Brominated Disinfection Byproducts from Chlorination and Bromination of Amino Acids,” Chemosphere, 344, 140985, (2024).
Xiao, F., Deng, B., Dionysiou, D., Karanfil, T., O’Shea, K., Roccaro, P., Xiong., Z.J. and Zhao, D. “Cross-National Challenges and Strategies for PFAS Regulatory Compliance in Water Infrastructure”, Nature Water, 1, 1004-1015, (2023).
Soyluoglu, M., Kim, D. and Karanfil, T. “Characteristics and Stability of Ozone Nanobubbles in Freshwater Conditions,” Environmental Science and Technology, 57, 51, 21898–21907, (2023).
Erdem, C.U., Liu, C and Karanfil, T. “Photodegradation of Halogenated Organic By-Products: Decomposition and Reformation,” Water Research, 245, 120565, (2023).
Awards & Honors
Associate Editor, Water Research (2020-2024)
Editor Water Research (2024-present)
South Carolina Excellence in Scientific Research (ESR) Award, South Carolina Academy of Sciences and Governor of South Carolina (2021)
Election to the Turkish Academy of Sciences as a Principal Member (2021)
Associate Editor, Water Research (2020-present)
Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Science Special Award in Engineering (2018)
Akdeniz University, Environmental Problems and Applications Center, Science Award (2018)
American Water Works Association, Membrane Treatment Best Paper Award (2014 & 2016)
Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of American Water Works Association (2008-2013)
American Water Works Association, Academic Achievement Award (2015, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007)
American Water Works Association South Carolina Section, Membership Award (2008-2009)
Clemson University, Board of Trustees Award for Faculty Excellence (2011, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2002)
Clemson University, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, McQueen Quattlebaum Faculty Achievement Award (2005)
National Science Foundation, Early CAREER Award (2001)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Ph.D. Fellowship, (1989-1992)
