Publications

biodegradation and bioremediation, biocatalysis, emerging contaminants, antibiotic resistance

Publications

2026

  1. Antunes, J. M. D., D. K. Dhakal Gaudel, C. H. Bell, Z. Wahl, M. Schnobrich, and M. Li* (2026). “Evaluation of 1,4-dioxane natural attenuation after in situ propane biosparging: bench-scale microcosm tests and field metadata analysis.” Remediation Journal. 36 (2), e70060. (DOI: 10.1002/rem.70060)

  2. Ding, Y., H. Yang, C. Li, V. R. Passaro, W. Xing, A. F. Mughal, Z. Qiu, M. Li, Y. You, L. Zhang (2026). “Phosphorus cycling mechanisms in lake sediments affected by algal biomass." Journal of Environmental Management. 401, 128806. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.128806)

2025

  1. Antunes, J. M. D., D. K. Dhakal Gaudel, C. H. Bell, S. Fiorenza, M. Schnobrich, and M. Li* (2025). “Cluster-specific biomarkers for effective assessment of 1,4-dioxane biodegradation potentials for natural attenuation and propane biosparging.” Environmental Science and Technology Letters. 12 (12), 1636-1643. (DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00963)

  2. Neumann, O., P. Dongare, A. Schirato, N. Neumann, G. Costin, R. Guduru, T. Nath, J. Dolive, S. Lal, M. Li, P. Nordlander, A. Alabastri, P. J. J. Alvarez, and N. J. Halas (2025). “Combined sustainable water purification and remineralization using an off-grid, nanoparticle-driven solar process." ACS Sustainable Resource Management. 2 (9), 1751-1759. (DOI: 10.1021/acssusresmgt.5c00258)

  3. Dhakal Gaudel, D. K, J. M. D. Antunes, J. Kim, and M. Li* (2025). "Comparison of 1-propanol and propane as auxiliary substrates on 1, 4-dioxane biodegradation via bioaugmentation with Azoarcus sp. DD4 at a landfill site." Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. 11, 1787-1796. (DOI: 10.1039/D5EW00091B) 

  4. Yaqoob, S., C. Wu, C. Li, J. M. D. Antunes, and M. Li* (2025). “Anaerobic biot5ransformation and biodefluorination of 6: 2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid by biosolids under the nitrate-reducing condition." ACS ES&T Water. 5 (5), 2412-2420. (DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.5c00009)

  5. Li, C., L. Zhu, L. Axe, and M. Li* (2025). “Acclimation of sludge-derived biofilms for effective removal of emerging contaminants: impacts of inoculum source and carbon supplementation" Journal of Hazardous Materials. 492, 138235. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138235)

  6. Wu, C. and M. Li* (2025). "Enriching fluorotelomer carboxylic acids-degrading consortia from sludges and soils." Science of the Total Environment. 958, 177823 (DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177823)

2024

  1. Antunes, J. M. D. and M.Li* (2024). "Cometabolic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane and co-occurring chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons by psychrophilic propanotrophs enriched with a new cluster of group-6 soluble di-iron monooxygenases." Environmental Science and Technology Letters 12 (7), 827-834. (DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00641) (Featured Cover)

  2. Liu, N. and M. Li* (2024). "Distinctive adsorption and transport behaviors of long-chain and short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids in a river sediment." Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 31, 66854–66865 (DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-35725-1)

  3. Ahamed, T., C. Li, M.Li, and L. Axe (2024). "Interactions of graphene oxide with the microbial community of biologically active filters from a water treatment plant." Water Research. 263, 122155. (DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122155) 

  4. Pham, D. N. and M.Li* (2024). "Comparative Resistomics Analysis of Multidrug-resistant Chryseobacteria." Environmental Microbiology Reports 16(3), e13288. (DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13288)

  5. Wu, C., S. Goodrow, H. Chen, and M.Li* (2024). "Distinctive biotransformation and biodefluorination of 6:2 versus 5:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acids by municipal activated sludge." Water Research 245, 121431. (DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121431)

  6. Fan, X.,  L. Kong, J. Wang, Y. Tan, X. Xu, M. Li, and L. Zhu (2024). "Surface-programmed microbiome assembly in phycosphere to microplastics contamination." Water Research 262, 122064. (DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122064)

  7. Tanim-Al Hassan, M., X. Chen, P. I. J. FNU, F. J. Osonga, O. A. Sadik, M. Li, H. Chen (2024). "Rapid Detection of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using paper spray-based mass spectrometry." Journal of Hazardous Materials 133366. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133366)

  8. Dong, C., F. Li, Y. Sun, D. Long, C. Chen, M. Li, T. Wei, R. Martins, T. Chen, P. Mak (2024). "A syndromic diagnostic assay on macrochannel-to-digital microfluidic platform for automatic identification of multiple respiratory pathogens." Lab on a Chip. (DOI: 10.1039/D3LC00728F) 

  9. Wei, L., J. Zheng, Y. Han, X. Xu, M. Li, and L. Zhu (2024). "Insights into the roles of biochar pores toward alleviating antibiotic resistance genes accumulation in biofiltration systems." Bioresource Technology 394, 130257. (DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130257) 

2023

  1. Li, F., D. Deng, A. Wadden, P. Parvis, D. Cutt, and M. Li* (2023). "Effective removal of trace 1,4-dioxane by biological treatments augmented with propanotrophic Single culture versus synthetic consortium." Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 9, 100246. (DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2023.100246)

  2. Pham, D. N., Q. Wu, and M.Li* (2023). "Global profiling of antibiotic resistomes in maize rhizospheres." Archives of Microbiology 205 (3), 89. (DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03424-z)

  3. Zhang, J., Y. Han, W. Wei, M. Li, and L. Zhu (2023). "Sludge-derived biopolymers for in-situ synthesis of magnetic ALE-Fe-Zr composites for phosphate removal." Chemical Engineering Journal 140842. (DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.140842) 

  4. Li, M. and D. Ladner (2023). “AEESP Spotlight: Mid 2023”, Environmental Engineering Science 40 (6), 217-218. (DOI: 10.1089/ees.2023.0127)

2022

  1. Wu, C., Q. Wang, H. Chen, and M.Li* (2022). "Rapid quantitative analysis and suspect screening of per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) and municipal wastewater samples by Nano-ESI-HRMS." Water Research 219, 118542. (DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118542)

  2. Deng, D., D. N. Pham, and M. Li* (2022). "Environment-specific auxiliary substrates tailored for effective cometabolic bioremediation of 1,4-dioxane." Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology 8, 2521-2530. (DOI: 10.1039/D2EW00524G) (Emerging Investigator Series)

  3. Li, Y., R. Yang, M. M. Häggblom, M. Li, L. Guo, B. Li, M. Kolton, Z. Cao, M. Solemani, Z. Chen, Z. Xu, W. Gao, B. Yan, and W. Sun (2022). "Characterization of diazotrophic root endophytes in Chinese silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis)." Microbiome 10 (1), 1–12. (DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01379-9)

  4. Li, M., M. Krzmarzick, and C. Peters, “AEESP Spotlight: Mid 2022”, Environmental Engineering Science 39 (6), 584-585. (DOI: 10.1089/ees.2022.0151)

  5. Li, Y., L. Guo, M. M. Häggblom, R. Yang, M. Li, X. Sun, Z. Chen, F. Li, X. Su, G. Yan, E. Xiao, H. Zhang, and W. Sun (2022). "Serratia spp. are responsible for nitrogen fixation fueled by As(III) oxidation, a novel biogeochemical process identified in mine tailings." Environmental Science and Technology 56 (3), 2033–2043. (DOI: doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c06857)

  6. Feng, K., Z. Zhao, M. Li, L. Tian, T. An, J. Zhang, X. Xu, and L. Zhu (2022). "Novel intelligent control framework for WWTP optimization to achieve stable and sustainable operation." ACS ES&T Engineering 2 (11), 2086-2094. (DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.2c00156) 

  7. Han, Y., M. Li, J. Zhang, L. Wei, and L. Zhu (2022). "Green conversion of excess sludge to N-Ca self-doping sustainable carbon quantum dots with remarkable fluorescence enhancement and residual heavy metal reduction." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 10 (6), 108934. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.108934)

  8. Zhang, Z., L. Wang, Y. Ji, R. Cao, J. Zhou, M. Li, L. Zhu, and X. Xu (2022). "Understanding the N-acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs)-based quorum sensing for the stability of aerobic granular sludge in the aspect of substrate hydrolysis enhancement." Science of the Total Environment 858, 159581. (DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159581) 

  9. Zhang, Y., Y. Zhang, L. Wei, M. Li, W. Zhu, and L. Zhu (2022). "Spatiotemporal correlations between water quality and microbial community of typical inflow river into Taihu Lake, China." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 29, 63722–63734. (DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19023-2) 

2021

  1. Liu, N., C. Wu, G. Lyu, and M.Li* (2021). "Efficient adsorptive removal of short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids using reed straw-derived biochar (RESCA)." Science of the Total Environment 798, 149191. (DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149191)

  2. Han, T., J. Zheng, Y. Han, X. Xu, M. Li, C. Schwarz, L. Zhu (2021). "Comprehensive insights into core microbial assemblages in activated sludge exposed to textile-dyeing wastewater stress." Science of the Total Environment 791, 148145. (DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148145) 

  3. Li, F., D. Deng, L. Zeng, S. Abrams, and M. Li* (2021). "Sequential anaerobic and aerobic bioaugmentation of the commingled groundwater contamination of trichloroethylene and 1,4-dioxane." Science of the Total Environment 774, 145118. (DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145118)

  4. Pham, D. N., L. Clark, and M. Li* (2021). "Microplastics as hubs enriching antibiotic-resistant and pathogenic bacteria in municipal activated sludge." Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters 2, 100014. (DOI: 10.1016/j.hazl.2021.100014) (Top Cited & Most Downloaded)

  5. Tancsics, A., M. Li, and L. Chrzanowski (2021). "Editorial: New insights into the biodegradation of organic contaminants in subsurface ecosystems: approaches and achievements of the multi-omics era." Frontiers in Microbiology 12, 946. (DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.650615)

  6. Wang, P., F. Li, W Wang, R Wang, Y Yang, T Cui, N Liu, and M.Li (2021). "Cometabolic degradation of 1, 4-dioxane by a tetrahydrofuran-growing Arthrobacter sp. WN18." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 217, 112206. (DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112206)

  7. Xiang, S., Y. Han, C. Jiang, M. Li, L. Wei, J. Fu, L. Zhu (2021). "Composite biologically active filter (BAF) with zeolite, granular activated carbon, and suspended biological carrier for treating algae-laden raw water." Journal of Water Process Engineering 42, 102188. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2021.102188) 

  8. Fu, S., X. Zhao, Z. Zhou, M. Li, and L. Zhu (2021). “Effective removal of odor substances using intimately coupled photocatalysis and biodegradation system prepared with the silane coupling agent (SCA)-enhanced TiO2 coating method.” Water Research 188, 116569. (DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116569)

2020

  1. Deng, D., D. N. Pham, F. Li, and M.Li* (2020). "Discovery of an inducible toluene monooxygenase that co-oxidizes 1,4-dioxane and 1,1-dichloroethylene in propanotrophic Azoarcus sp. DD4." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 86 (17). (DOI: 10.1128/AEM.01163-20)

  2. Li, F., D. Deng, and M.Li* (2020). "Distinct catalytic behaviors between two 1,4-dioxane-degrading monooxygenases: kinetics, inhibition, and substrate range." Environmental Science and Technology 54 (3), 1898-1908. (DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05671)

2019

  1. Deng, D., F. Li, L. Ye, and M.Li* (2019). "Complete genome sequence of Azoarcus sp. DD4, a gram-negative propanotroph that degrades 1,4-dioxane and 1,1-dichloroethylene." Microbiology Resource Announcements 8 (33), 1–2. (DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00775-19) 

  2. Sarkar, B., Z. Siddiqui, … , and V. Kumar (2019). "Membrane-disrupting nanofibrous peptide hydrogels." ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 5 (9), 4657-4670. (DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b00967) 

  3. Wu, L., D. Ning, … , and J. Zhou. (2019). Global diversity and biogeography of bacterial communities in wastewater treatment plants. Nature Microbiology 4(7), 1183-1195. (DOI:10.1038/s41564-019-0426-5)

2018

  1. Deng, D., F. Li, C. Wu, and M. Li* (2018). "Synchronic biotransformation of 1,4-dioxane and 1,1-dichloroethylene by a gram-negative propanotroph Azoarcus sp. DD4." Environmental Science and Technology Letters 5 (8), 526–532. (DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.8b00312) (Featured by C&EN)

  2. Pruden, A., R. E. Alcalde, ... , and Z. Zhou (2018). “An environmental science and engineering framework for combating antimicrobial resistance.” Environmental Engineering Science 35 (10), 1005-1011. (DOI:  10.1089/ees.2017.0520)

  3. Zhang, S., S. Courtois, S. Gitungo, R. F. Raczko, J. E. Dyksene, M. Li*, and L. Axe (2018). “Microbial community analysis in biologically active filters exhibiting efficient removal of emerging water contaminants and impact of operational conditions.” Science of the Total Environment 640-641 (2018), 1455–1464. (DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.027)

  4. Deng, D., F. Li, and M. Li* (2018). "A novel propane monooxygenase initiating degradation of 1,4-dioxane by Mycobacterium dioxanotrophicus PH-06." Environmental Science and Technology Letters 5 (2), 86–91. (DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.7b00504) (ACS Editors’ Choice) (Featured Cover)

  5. Li, M.*, Y. Yang, Y. He, J. Mathieu, C. Yu, Q. Li, and P. J. J. Alvarez (2018). "Detection and cell sorting of Pseudonocardia species by fluorescence in situ hybridization and flow cytometry using 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes." Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 102 (7): 3375–3386. (DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8801-3)

  6. He, Y., J. Mathieu, M. L. B. da Silva, M. Li, and P. J. J. Alvarez (2018). "1,4-Dioxane degrading consortia can be enriched from uncontaminated soils: prevalence of Mycobacterium and soluble di-iron monooxygenase genes." Microbial Biotechnology 11 (1): 189–198. (DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12850) 

2017

  1. He, Y., K. Wei, K. Si, J. Mathieu, M. Li*, and P. J. J. Alvarez (2017). "Whole genome sequence of 1,4-dioxane degrading bacterium Mycobacterium dioxanotrophicus PH-06." Genome Announcements 5: e00625-17. (DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00625-17)

  2. Liu, N., H. Li, M. Li, L. Ding, C. Weng, and C. Dong (2017). "Oxygen exposure effects on the dechlorinating activities of a trichloroethene-dechlorination microbial consortium." Bioresource Technology 240 (2017): 98-105. (DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.02.112)

  3. Li, M.*, Y. Liu, Y. He, J. Mathieu, J. Hatton, W. DiGuiseppi, and P. J. J. Alvarez (2017). "Hindrance of 1,4-dioxane biodegradation in microcosms biostimulated with inducing or non-inducing auxiliary substrates." Water Research 112 (2017): 217–225. (DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.01.047)

2016

  1. Xu, X., J. Shao, M. Li, K. Gao, J. Jin, L. Zhu (2016). “Reductive transformation of p-chloronitrobenzene in the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor coupled with microbial electrolysis cell: performance and microbial community.” Bioresource Technology 218 (2016): 1037–1045. (DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.07.037) 

  2. Yu, P., J. Mathieu, M. Li, Z. Dai, and P. J. J. Alvarez (2016). “Isolation of polyvalent bacteriophages using sequential multiple host approaches.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology 82 (3): 808–815. (DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02382-15) 

2015 and Before

  1. N. Liu, Y. Shi, M. Li, T. Zhang, and S. Gao (2015). “Simultaneous determination of four trace estrogens in feces, leachate, tap and groundwater using solid–liquid extraction/auto solid‐phase extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.” Journal of Separation Science 28 (20): 3494-3501. (DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201500443)

  2. Li, M., E. T. Van Orden, D. DeVries, X. Zhong, R. Hinchee, and P. J. J. Alvarez (2015). “Bench-scale biodegradation tests to assess natural attenuation potential of 1,4-dioxane at three California sites.” Biodegradation 26 (1): 39–50. (DOI: 10.1007/s10532-014-9714-1)

  3. Zeng, G.,Y. Liu, L. Tang, G. Yang, Y. Pang, Y. Zhang, Y. Zhou, Z. Li, M. Li, M. Lai, Y. He (2015). “Enhancement of Cd (II) adsorption by polyacrylic acid modified magnetic mesoporous carbon.” Chemical Engineering Journal259 (2015): 153–160. (DOI:  10.1016/j.cej.2014.07.115)

  4. Yang, Y., M. Li, C. Michels, H Moreira‐Soares, and P. J. J. Alvarez (2014). "Differential sensitivity of nitrifying bacteria to silver nanoparticles in activated sludge." Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology 33 (10): 2234–2239. (DOI: 10.1002/etc.2678)

  5. Li, M., J. Mathieu, Y. Liu, E. T. Van Orden, Y. Yang, S. Fiorenza, and P. J. J. Alvarez (2014). "The abundance of tetrahydrofuran/dioxane monooxygenase genes (thmA/dxmA) and 1,4-dioxane degradation activity are significantly correlated at various impacted aquifers." Environmental Science and Technology Letters 1 (1): 122–127. (DOI: 10.1021/ez400176h)
  6. Yang, Y., J. Quensen, J. Mathieu, Q. Wang, J. Wang, M. Li, J. M. Tiedje and P. J. J. Alvarez (2014). "Pyrosequencing reveals higher impact of silver nanoparticles than Ag+ on the microbial community structure of activated sludge." Water Research 48 (1): 317–325. (DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.09.046)
  7. Li, M., J. Mathieu, Y. Yang, S. Fiorenza, Y. Deng, Z. He, J. Zhou and P. J. J. Alvarez (2013). "Widespread distribution of soluble di-iron monooxygenase (SDIMO) genes in Arctic groundwater impacted by 1,4-dioxane." Environmental Science and Technology 47(17): 9950–9958. (DOI: 10.1021/es402228x)
  8. Li, M., P. Conlon, S. Fiorenza, R. J. Vitale and P. J. J. Alvarez (2011). "Rapid analysis of 1,4-dioxane in groundwater by Frozen Micro-Extraction with Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry." Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation 31(4): 70-76. (DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6592.2011.01350.x)
  9. Li, M., S. Fiorenza, J. R. Chatham, S. Mahendra and P. J. J. Alvarez (2010). "1,4-Dioxane biodegradation at low temperatures in Arctic groundwater samples." Water Research44(9): 2894-2900. (DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2010.02.007)
  10. Zhang, Z., M. Li, W. Chen, S. Zhu, N. Liu, and L. Zhu (2010). "Immobilization of lead and cadmium from aqueous solution and contaminated sediment using nano-hydroxyapatite." Environmental Pollution 158(2): 514-519. (DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.08.024)