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Dr. J.R. (John) Parsons

Assistant Professor
Faculty of Science
Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics
Photographer: onbekend
Visiting address
  • Science Park 904
Postal address
  • Postbus 94240
    1090 GE Amsterdam
Contact details
Social media
  • Profile
    Website of the research institute IBED
  • Research

    Research Interests

    John Parsons' field of expertise is the environmental distribution and fate of organic compounds. Specific research interests include the microbial degradation of organic contaminants such as PCBs, PAHs, BTEX, brominated flame-retardants and pesticides in soil, sediment and ground- and surface water under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.   Other interests are the sorption of organic compounds to soil, sediment and dissolved organic matter and the influence this has on the bioavailability of the contaminants. He was coordinator of the European project ABACUS , a research project aimed at developing methods to assess the bioavailability of organic contaminants in soil and sediment, and principal investigator for the UvA in the European projects BIOSTIMUL, FIRE and ENFIRO and the NWO-TRIAS project " Resilience of the groundwater-ecosystem in reaction to anthropogenic disturbances " investigating. for example, the environmental risks of brominated flame retardants and environmentally compatible alternatives and the anaerobic biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons. Recent projects address the environmental fate of engineered nanoparticles (part of the NanoNextNL programme), the role of adaptation of microbial populations in the biodegradation of persistent chemicals (the CEFIC LRI- ECO29 project Chemadapt), the treatment and reuse of industrial wastewater in the Water Nexus programme, the fate of contaminants in bio-based fertilisers used in agriculture (LEX4BIO) and the biodegradation of novel biobased polyesters (RIBIPOL).

    ENFIRO
    NanoNextNL
    CEFIC LRI ECO29 Chemadapt
    Water Nexus
    LEX4BIO
    RIBIPOL
  • Background

    John Parsons studied chemistry at the University of Manchester, where he specialised in bioinorganic chemistry. After a period in scientific publishing with Elsevier, he returned to academia to study environmental chemistry at the University of Amsterdam. This was followed by a PhD project on the biodegradation of chlorinated aromatic compounds under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Otto Hutzinger. He later became a member of staff of this department and is now assistant professor in the Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics department of the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics.

  • Publications

    2024

    • Wang, Y., van der Maas, K., Weinland, D. H., Trijnes, D., van Putten, R-J., Tietema, A., Parsons, J. R., de Rijke, E., & Gruter, G-J. M. (2024). Relationship between Composition and Environmental Degradation of Poly(isosorbide-co-diol oxalate) (PISOX) Copolyesters. Environmental Science and Technology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c09699

    2023

    2022

    2021

    2020

    • García-Jaramillo, M., Trippe, K. M., Helmus, R., Knicker, H. E., Cox, L., Hermosín, M. C., Parsons, J. R., & Kalbitz, K. (2020). An examination of the role of biochar and biochar water-extractable substances on the sorption of ionizable herbicides in rice paddy soils. Science of the Total Environment, 706, Article 135682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135682 [details]
    • Ortega-Calvo, J. J., & Parsons, J. R. (2020). Concluding Remarks and Research Needs. In J. J. Ortego-Calvo, & J. R. Parsons (Eds.), Bioavailability of Organic Chemicals in Soil and Sediment (pp. 423-428). (Handbook of Environmental Chemistry; Vol. 100). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2020_573 [details]
    • Ortega-Calvo, J. J., & Parsons, J. R. (2020). Introduction Setting of the Scene, Definitions, and Guide to Volume. In J. J. Ortega-Calvo, & J. R. Parsons (Eds.), Bioavailability of Organic Chemicals in Soil and Sediment (pp. 1-4). (Handbook of Environmental Chemistry; Vol. 100). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2020_587 [details]
    • Poursat, B. A. J., van Spanning, R. J. M., Braster, M., Helmus, R., de Voogt, P., & Parsons, J. R. (2020). Long-term exposure of activated sludge in chemostats leads to changes in microbial communities composition and enhanced biodegradation of 4-chloroaniline and N-methylpiperazine. Chemosphere, 242, Article 125102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125102 [details]
    • Van Leeuwen, J. A., Hartog, N., Gerritse, J., Gallacher, C., Helmus, R., Brock, O., Parsons, J. R., & Hassanizadeh, S. M. (2020). The dissolution and microbial degradation of mobile aromatic hydrocarbons from a Pintsch gas tar DNAPL source zone. Science of the Total Environment, 722, Article 137797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137797 [details]
    • Wagner, T. V., Helmus, R., Becker, E., Rijnaarts, H. H. M., de Voogt, P., Langenhoff, A. A. M., & Parsons, J. R. (2020). Impact of transformation, photodegradation and interaction with glutaraldehyde on the acute toxicity of the biocide DBNPA in cooling tower water. Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology, 6(4), 1058-1068. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9ew01018a [details]
    • Wagner, T. V., Helmus, R., Quiton Tapia, S., Rijnaarts, H. H. M., de Voogt, P., Langenhoff, A. A. M., & Parsons, J. R. (2020). Non-target screening reveals the mechanisms responsible for the antagonistic inhibiting effect of the biocides DBNPA and glutaraldehyde on benzoic acid degradation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 386, Article 121661. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121661 [details]
    • Wagner, T. V., Parsons, J. R., Rijnaarts, H. H. M., de Voogt, P., & Langenhoff, A. A. M. (2020). Benzotriazole removal mechanisms in pilot-scale constructed wetlands treating cooling tower water. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 384, Article 121314. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121314 [details]
    • Wagner, T. V., de Wilde, V., Willemsen, B., Mutaqin, M., Putri, G., Opdam, J., Parsons, J. R., Rijnaarts, H. H. M., de Voogt, P., & Langenhoff, A. A. M. (2020). Pilot-scale hybrid constructed wetlands for the treatment of cooling tower water prior to its desalination and reuse. Journal of Environmental Management, 271, Article 110972. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110972 [details]

    2019

    2018

    • Markus, A. A., Krystek, P., Tromp, P. C., Parsons, J. R., Roex, E. W. M., de Voogt, P., & Laane, R. W. P. M. (2018). Determination of metal-based nanoparticles in the river Dommel in the Netherlands via ultrafiltration, HR-ICP-MS and SEM. Science of the Total Environment, 631–632, 485-495. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.007 [details]
    • Wagner, T. V., Mouter, A. K., Parsons, J. R., Sevink, J., van der Plicht, J., & Jansen, B. (2018). Molecular characterization of charcoal to identify adsorbed SOM and assess the effectiveness of common SOM-removing pretreatments prior to radiocarbon dating. Quaternary Geochronology, 45, 74-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2017.10.006 [details]
    • Wagner, T. V., Parsons, J. R., Rijnaarts, H. H. M., de Voogt, P., & Langenhoff, A. A. M. (2018). A review on the removal of conditioning chemicals from cooling tower water in constructed wetlands. Critical Reviews in Envirnmental Science and Technology, 48(19-21), 1094-1125. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2018.1512289 [details]

    2017

    2016

    2015

    2014

    • Carboni, A., Emke, E., Parsons, J. R., Kalbitz, K., & de Voogt, P. (2014). An analytical method for determination of fullerenes and functionalized fullerenes in soils with high performance liquid chromatography and UV detection UV. Analytica Chimica Acta, 807, 159-165. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2013.11.015 [details]
    • Jurgens, S. S., Helmus, R., Waaijers, S. L., Uittenbogaard, D., Dunnebier, D., Vleugel, M., Kraak, M. H. S., de Voogt, P., & Parsons, J. R. (2014). Mineralisation and primary biodegradation of aromatic organophosphorus flame retardants in activated sludge. Chemosphere, 111, 238-242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.04.016 [details]

    2013

    • Markus, A. A., Parsons, J. R., Roex, E. W. M., Kentner, G. C. M., & Laane, R. W. P. M. (2013). Predicting the contribution of nanoparticles (Zn, Ti, Ag) to the annual metal load in the Dutch reaches of the Rhine and Meuse. Science of the Total Environment, 456-457, 154-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.03.058 [details]
    • Waaijers, S. L., Bleyenberg, T. E., Dits, A., Schoorl, M., Schütt, J., Kools, S. A. E., de Voogt, P., Admiraal, W., Parsons, J. R., & Kraak, M. H. S. (2013). Daphnid life cycle response to new generation of flame retardants. Environmental Science and Technology, 47(23), 13798-13803. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1021/es4031529 [details]
    • Waaijers, S. L., Hartmann, J., Soeter, A. M., Helmus, R., Kools, S. A. E., de Voogt, P., Admiraal, W., Parsons, J. R., & Kraak, M. H. S. (2013). Toxicity of new generation flame retardants to Daphnia magna. Science of the Total Environment, 463-464, 1042-1048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.06.110 [details]
    • Waaijers, S. L., Kong, D., Hendriks, H. S., de Wit, C. A., Cousins, I. T., Westerink, R. H. S., Leonards, P. E. G., Kraak, M. H. S., Admiraal, W., de Voogt, P., & Parsons, J. R. (2013). Persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity of halogen-free flame retardants. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 222, 1-71. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4717-7_1 [details]

    2012

    • Hammer, J., Kraak, M. H. S., & Parsons, J. R. (2012). Plastics in the marine environment: the dark side of a modern gift. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 220, 1-44. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3414-6_1 [details]
    • Hernádez Leal, L., Soeter, A. M., Kools, S. A. E., Kraak, M. H. S., Parsons, J. R., Temmink, H., Zeeman, G., & Buisman, C. J. N. (2012). Ecotoxicological assessment of grey water treatment systems with Daphnia magna and Chironomus riparius. Water Research, 46(4), 1038-1044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2011.11.079 [details]

    2011

    • van Noort, P. C. M., Haftka, J. J. H., & Parsons, J. R. (2011). A simple McGowan specific volume correction for branching in hydrocarbons and its consequences for some other solvation parameter values. Chemosphere, 84(8), 1102-1107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.04.042 [details]

    2010

    • Haftka, J. J. H., Govers, H. A. J., & Parsons, J. R. (2010). Influence of temperature and origin of dissolved organic matter on the partitioning behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 17(5), 1070-1079. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-009-0263-9 [details]
    • van Noort, P. C. M., Haftka, J. J. H., & Parsons, J. R. (2010). Updated Abraham solvation parameters for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Science and Technology, 44(18), 7037-7042. https://doi.org/10.1021/es102210g [details]

    2009

    2008

    • Haftka, J. J. H., Parsons, J. R., Govers, H. A. J., & Ortega-Calvo, J. J. (2008). Enhanced kinetics of solid-phase microextraction and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of dissolved organic matter. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 27(7), 1526-1532. https://doi.org/10.1897/07-544.1 [details]
    • Parsons, J. R., Sáez, M., Dolfing, J., & de Voogt, P. (2008). Biodegradation of perfluorinated compounds. In D. M. Whitacre (Ed.), Reviews of environmental contamination and toxicology: Volume 196 (pp. 53-71). (Reviews of environmental contamination and toxicology; No. 196). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78444-1_2 [details]
    • Sáez, M., de Voogt, P., & Parsons, J. R. (2008). Persistence of perfluoroalkylated substances in closed bottle tests with municipal sewage sludge. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 15(6), 472-477. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-008-0020-5 [details]

    2020

    • Ortega-Calvo, J. J., & Parsons, J. R. (Eds.) (2020). Bioavailability of Organic Chemicals in Soil and Sediment. (Handbook of Environmental Chemistry; Vol. 100). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57919-7 [details]
    • Ortega-Calvo, J. J., Stibany, F., Semple, K. T., Schaeffer, A., Parsons, J. R., & Smith, K. E. C. (2020). Why Biodegradable Chemicals Persist in the Environment? A Look at Bioavailability. In J. J. Ortega-Calvo, & J. R. Parsons (Eds.), Bioavailability of Organic Chemicals in Soil and Sediment. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 100 (pp. 243-265). (Handbook of Environmental Chemistry; Vol. 100). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2020_586 [details]
    • Parsons, J. R. (2020). Impact of Sorption to Dissolved Organic Matter on the Bioavailability of Organic Chemicals. In J. J. Ortega-Calvo, & J. R. Parsons (Eds.), Bioavailability of Organic Chemicals in Soil and Sediment (pp. 113-128). (Handbook of Environmental Chemistry; Vol. 100). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2020_520 [details]

    2019

    2018

    • Carboni, A., Helmus, R., de Voogt, P., Kalbitz, K., & Parsons, J. (2018). Degradation of solid state C60 fullerene by UV irradiation under environmentally relevant conditions. Abstracts of papers of the American Chemical Society, 255.
    • Poursat, B., Braster, M., Helmus, R., van Spanning, R., de Voogt, P., & Parsons, J. (2018). Adaptation of microbial communities to emerging pollutants in chemostat systems. Abstracts of papers of the American Chemical Society, 255.

    2011

    • Laane, R. W. P. M., van de Meent, D., de Voogt, P., Parsons, J., Hendriks, J., & van Gils, J. (2011). Modeling organic compounds in the estuarine and coastal environment. In G. Shimmield (Ed.), Geochemistry of estuaries and coasts (pp. 161-203). (Treatise on estuarine and coastal science; No. 4). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-374711-2.00409-5 [details]

    2015

    • de Voogt, P., & Parsons, J. (2015). Emerging contaminants, relevant voor de bodem! Een wetenschappelijke bespiegeling. Bodem, 25(5), 28-30. [details]

    2012

    • Carboni, A., Emke, E., van den Brink, N., Parsons, J. R., Kalbitz, K., & de Voogt, P. (2012). Development of a new method to extract and analyse fullerens and fullerene derivatives from soil using HPLC-MS. Abstract from NanoNextNL Risk Analysis & Technology Assessment (RATA) Meeting. http://www.nanonextnl.nl/themes/risk-analysis-and-technology-assessment/
    • Waaijers, S. L., Parsons, J. R., Kraak, M. H. S., de Voogt, P., & Admiraal, W. (2012). Aquatic Ecotoxicity & Biodegradability of Halogen Free Flame Retardants.. Paper presented at ENFIRO, A workshop on alternative flame retardants looking at flammability, applications, toxicity, exposure to life cycle assessment, Brussels, Belgium, November 2012.

    Prize / grant

    • Gruter, G. J. M., Parsons, J. R., Tietema, A., de Voogt, W. P. & van Harreveld, F. (2017). NWO Grant: Novel rigid bio-based polyesters for potential large scale applications..

    Membership / relevant position

    • Parsons, J. (2019-2021). ECETOC Task Force "Moving persistence (P) assessments into the 21st Century: Developing a new paradigm to assess degradation potential of chemicals", ECETOC.

    Others

    • Parsons, J. (participant) (27-9-2018). CEFIC LRI - CONCAWE Workshop On Recent Developments In Science Supportive To The Biodegradation/Persistence Assessment, Helsinki (organising a conference, workshop, ...).
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  • Ancillary activities
    • KNCV Sectie Milieuchemie
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