Dr. Amir Hass

Soil Water and Natural Resources Management
 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Soil and water quality; mine reclamation; runoff and stormwater management; biochar for environmental use and applications; spent material and waste management; engineered soils; natural resources management.

Our research aimed at understanding the underlying biogeochemical processes that govern disturbed and natural systems to enable the development of beneficial and environmentally sound use of potential resources, the development of best management practices to mitigate adverse impacts and restoration of ecosystem services.
 

EDUCATION

2005  Ph.D.  Texas A&M University, College Station TX, Forestry
2003  M.Sc.  Hebrew University, Rehovot Israel, Soil and Water
1996  B.Sc.   Hebrew University, Rehovot Israel, Soil and Water
 

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

2017 -              Associate Research Professor. Biology Dept., & Agricultural & Environmental Research Station, West Virginia State University, Institute WV
2016 - 2017     Visiting Scientist. USDA-ARS-SRRC, New Orleans, LA
2012 - 2017     Assistant Research Professor. Biology Dept., & Agricultural & Environmental Research Station, West Virginia State University, Institute WV
2006- 2011      Post-Doc. USDA-ARS-AFSRC, Beaver, WV
2002-2005       Research assistant. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
1996-2002       Research Engineer. Soil & Water Institute, the Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel
1994-1996       Research Technician. Soil & Water Institute, the Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel

PUBLICATIONS

Research Articles:

• Hass A., and I.M. Lima. 2018. Effect of feed source and pyrolysis conditions on properties and metal sorption by sugarcane biochar. Environmental Technology & Innovation 10:16–26.
• Fine P., S. Carmeli, M. Borisover, R. Hayat, A. Beriozkin, A. Hass, U. Mingelgrin. 2018. Properties of the DOM in Soil Irrigated with Wastewater Effluent and Its Interaction with Copper Ions. Water Air Soil Pollut. 229: 2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-017-3627-7.
• Zalesny Jr R.S., J.A. Stanturf, E.S. Gardiner, G.S. Bañuelos, R.A. Hallett, A. Hass, C.M. Stange, J.H. Perdue, T.M. Young, D.R. Coyle, and W.L. Headlee. 2016. Environmental Technologies of Woody Crop Production Systems. Bioenerg. Res. 9(2): 492-506.
• Ronald S. Zalesny Jr R.S., J.A. Stanturf, E.S. Gardiner, J.H. Perdue, T.M. Young, D.R. Coyle, W.L. Headlee, G.S. Bañuelos, and A. Hass. 2016. Ecosystem Services of Woody Crop Production Systems. Bioenerg. Res. 9(2): 465–491.
• Saminathan T., S.A. Malkaram, D. Patel, K. Taylor, A. Hass, P. Nimmakayala, D.H. Huber, and U.K. Reddy. 2015. Transcriptome Analysis of Invasive Plants in Response to Mineral Toxicity of Reclaimed Coal-Mine Soil in the Appalachian Region. Environ. Sci. Technol. 49(17): 10320–10329.
• Fine P., R. Paresh, A. Beriozkin, and A. Hass. 2014. Chelant-enhanced heavy metal uptake by Eucalyptus trees under controlled deficit irrigation. Sci Total Environ. 493: 995-1005.
• Hass A., J.M. Gonzalez, I.M. Lima, H.W. Godwin, J.J. Halvorson, and D.G. Boyer. 2012. Chicken Manure Biochar as Liming and Nutrient Source for acid Appalachian Soil. Journal of Environmental Quality, 41: 1096-1106
• Ritchey K.D., L.D. Norton, A. Hass, J. M. Gonzalez, and J.D. Snuffer. 2012. Effects of selected soil conditioners on soil erosion, runoff, and rye growth. Soil and Water Conservation, 67(4): 264-274
• Hass A., and W.R. Zobel. 2011.  Using soil E horizon in salvaged topsoil material - effect on soil texture. Soil Use and Management, 27(4): 470–479
• Hass A., R.H. Loeppert, M.G. Messina, and T.D. Rogers. 2011. Determination of phosphate in selective extractions for soil iron oxides by the molybdenum blue method in an automated continuance flow injection system. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 42(14): 1619-1635
• Hass A., M.G. Messina, and T.D. Rogers. 2010. Soil carbon after mid-rotation phosphorus fertilization of loblolly pine (pinus taeda l.) stands of different site drainage characteristics. Soil Science, 175(8): 382-389.
• Hass A., and P. Fine. 2010. Sequential selective extraction procedure for heavy metals in soils, sediments, and waste materials – A critical review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 40(5): 365 – 399.
• Ibrahim A.M., N. Persaud, R.W. Zobel, and A. Hass. 2010. Reducing compaction effort and incorporating air permeability in Proctor testing for design of urban green spaces on cohesive soils. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management, 1(1): 21-29.
• Fine, P. and A. Hass. 2007. Role of organic matter in microbial transport during irrigation with sewage effluent. Journal of Environmental Quality, 36: 1050-1060.
• Oliver I. W., A. Hass, G. Merrington, P. Fine, and M.J. McLaughlin. 2005. Copper availability in 7 Israeli soils incubated with and without biosolids. Journal of Environmental Quality, 34: 508-513.
• Fine P., A. Hass, R. Prost, and N. Atzmon. 2002. Organic carbon leaching from effluent irrigated lysimeters as affected by residence time. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 66:1531-1539.

 
Book Chapters:

• Bar-Tal, A., U. Yermiyahu, A. Ben-Gal, P. Fine, and A. Hass. 2014. Practices that simultaneously optimize water and nutrients use efficiency: Israeli experiences in fertigation and irrigation with treated waste water. p.209-241 In: The Links Between Fertilizers Use and Water Management. (P. Heffer, ed.) IFA/IWMI/IPNI.
• Hass A., J.M. Gonzalez. 2014. Biochar. p. 95-124 In: Lopez-Valdez F. and Fernandez-Luqueno F. (Eds.), Fertilizers: components, uses in agriculture and environmental impacts.
• Hass A., U. Mingelgrin, and P. Fine. 2010. Heavy metals in soils Irrigated with wastewater. p. 247-285, In: Levy, G., Fine, P. and Bar Tal A. (Eds.) Use of treated wastewater in agriculture: impacts on crop and soil environment. Blackwell Pub. London.
• Fine P., N. Atzmon, F. Adani, and A. Hass. 2006. Disposal of sewage effluent and biosolids in Eucalyptus plantations: a lysimeter simulation study. p 3-23 In: Soil and water pollution monitoring, protection and remediation. NATO Science Series, Vol. 69. Springer, The Netherlands.

 
Conference Presentations and other Professional Publications:

• Hass A., T. Geberehiwot, D. Hall, J.G. Skousen, and R. Cantrell. 2018. Soil Water Quality of Reforested Mine Site Twelve Years After Reclamation. IWSS Spring Conference, February 20-21, 2018. Morgantown, WV.
• Hass A. 2018. Evaluating Use of Spent Water-Based Bentonite Drilling Mud as Soil Amendment. Webinar, Jan-23, 2018, USDA NRCS and PA State Conservation Commission, Harrisburg, PA.
• Geberehiwot T., J. Skousen, R. Cantrell, and A. Hass. 2017. Soil water quality at a reclaimed mine site in West Virginia. 25^th NSF EPSCoR National Conference, Missoula MT, November 5-8, 2017.
• Ugwuanyi I.R., S. Malkaram, A. Hass, and D.H. Huber. 2017. Geographic Differentiation of the Upper Sediment Microbiome of a High-flow Industrialized Tributary in the Ohio River Watershed. Ohio River Basin Research and Education Symposium, Ohio River Basin Alliance Summit, Sept 27-29, 2017; Marshall University.
• Hass A., and I. Lima. 2017. Effect of feed source and pyrolysis conditions on sugarcane bagasse biochar. 47th annual joint meeting, American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. June 14 – 16, 2017, New Orleans, LA.
• Hass A, R.S. Zalesny Jr., J. Vandevender, and D. Patel. 2017 Establishment of Hybrid Poplar on a Reclaimed Mine Site in Southern West Virginia. 2017 Joint Conference of the West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force, American Society for Mining and Reclamation (ASMR), and Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI). April 9 – 13, 2017. Morgantown WV.
• Ugwuanyi I.R., S. Malkaram, N. Montenegro, V.L. Noundou, A. Hass, and D.H. Huber. 2017. Assessing the effects of industrialization on the sediment microbiome of the Kanawha River, West Virginia Institute of Water Security and Science (IWSS) Spring Symposium, February 28, 2017. Morgantown, WV.
• Ugwuanyi I.R., S. A. Malkaram, A. Hass, N. A. Montnegro-Garcia, V. Lhilhi Noundou, and D.H. Huber. 2017. Microbiome structure of the Upper Sediment of a Large Industrialized Appalachian River. American Society for Microbiology, ASM Microbe 2017 Meeting, June 1-5, New Orleans LA.
• Lucas J., R. Cantrell, and A. Hass. 2017. Use of spent horizontal directional drilling mud as soil amendment. Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. (ARD), 18^th Biennial Research Symposium, April 1 - 4, 2017, Atlanta, GA.
• Hass A., and I.M. Lima. 2017. Effect of Feed Source and Pyrolysis Conditions on Properties of Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar. Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. (ARD), 18^th Biennial Research Symposium, April 1 - 4, 2017, Atlanta, GA.
• Cavender K., R. Cantrell, and A. Hass. 2017. Effects of Biochar on Soil Respiration and Carbon Sequestration. Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. (ARD), 18^th Biennial Research Symposium, April 1 - 4, 2017, Atlanta, GA.
• Lucas J., A. Hass, R. Cantrell, N. Persaud, J. Kraft, J. Vandevender, and D. Patel. 2016. Impact of Applying Spent Bentonite Drilling Mud on Soil Properties. ASA, CSSA, SSSA international meeting, Nov. 6-9, 2016. Phoenix, AZ.
• Zalesny, R.S. Jr, A. Hass, and D. Patel. 2016. Establishment of hybrid poplar for surface mine reclamation in the southern coalfield of West Virginia, USA. In: 25th Session of the International Poplar Commission, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Poplars and Other Fast-Growing Trees – Renewable Resources for Future Green Economies; September 13-16, 2016; Berlin, Germany.
• Ugwuanyi I.R., S.A. Malkaram, A. Hass, and D.H. Huber. 2016. Preliminary Analysis of the Bioremediation Potential of the Sediment Microbiome in the Highly Disturbed, Industrialized, Kanawha River (Charleston, WV). American Ecological Engineering Society, 16th Annual Meeting, June 7-9, 2016, Knoxville, TN.
• Huber D. H., A. Hass, S. A. Malkaram, K. Barry, N. Montenegro-Garcia, U.K. Reddy. 2016. Microbial Diversity Recovery in Reclaimed Surface Coal Mine Soils in the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia. American Society for Microbiology, ASM Microbe 2016 Meeting, Boston (MA), June 16-20, 2016.
• Hass A., J. Kraft, J. Vandevender, R. Lester, J. Lucas, and N. Blackhurst. 2015. Evaluation of Co-Product Bentonite Drilling Mud as a Soil Amendment. National Material Workshop, NRCS, April 28 – 30 2015, Fort Worth, TX.
• Hass A., D. Patel, Z. Lucas, and J.H. Fike. 2014. Effect of Augmented Fast-Pyrolysis Biochar on Soil Fertility. ASA, SSSA, CSA 2014 Annual Meetings, Nov. 2-5, Long Beach, CA.
• Hass A. Biomass Bio-oil and Biochar for Sustainable Bioenergy Production System. 2014. Renewable Energy in West Virginia. WV Division of Energy, Marshal University Center for Business and Economic Research, June 5^th, Flatwoods, WV.
• Hass A., D. Patel, J. Fike. 2014. BiocharG: Fast‐Pyrolysis Biochar of Improved Agronomic Value – Augmentation. Piedmont BioProducts LLC, Gretna, VA.
• Hass A., Biomass to energy production in West Virginia – limitations and opportunities. 5th Biennial Science, Technology and Research (STaR) Symposium, October 22, - October 23, 2013, Morgantown, WV.
• Hass A., H. W. Godwin, and J. M. Gonzalez. 2013. Plant Response to Struvite Application in Appalachia Acid Soil. ARD Biennial Research Symposium, April 6-10, 2013, Jacksonville, FL.
• Patel D.P., A. Hass, H. W. Godwin, and K. Moss. 2013. Agglomeration of Biochar for Agronomic Use. Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. (ARD) Biennial Research Symposium, April 6-10, 2013, Jacksonville, FL.
• Hass A., J.M. Gonzalez, I.M. Lima, H.W. Godwin, and J.J. Halvorson. Use of biochar from chicken manure as soil amendment in weathered soils. Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. (ARD), 16^th Biennial Research Symposium, April 9 - 13, 2011, Atlanta, GA.
• Hass A., K. D. Ritchey, L. D. Norton, and J. D. Snuffer. 2011. Effects of selected soil conditioners on soil erosion, runoff, and vegetation growth. International Erosion Control Association, Annual Conference, Environmental Connection, Feb. 20–23, 2011, Orlando, Florida.
• Hass A., J.M. Gonzalez, I.M. Lima, A.K. Boateng, P. Dharmesh, J.F. Joann, W.F. Anderson, and O.N. Nelson. 2010. Metals Solubility in Biochar from Different Feedstock and Pyrolysis Processes. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, 31 Oct – 3 Nov, Denver, CO, USA.
• Woodward E.E., T.L. McQuade, I.D. Sasowsky, A. Hass, and D.G. Boyer, 2010. A review of stormwater management in karst. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Oct-31 – Nov-3, 2010.
• Hass A., J.M. Gonzalez, I.M Lima, A.A. Boateng, and P. Dharmesh. 2010. Feedstock source, pyrolysis process, and steam activation effect on biochar properties. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, Long Beach, CA, USA.
• Hass A., J.M. Gonzalez, D.G. Boyer, J.C. Vandevender, and R.K. Lester. 2010. Selection of vegetation covers for runoff mitigation practices. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, Long Beach, CA, USA.
• Klugh S.K., H.W. Godwin, and A. Hass. 2010 Influence of poultry litter amendments on the vegetation of a reclaimed surface coal mine. Ecological Society of America, 95^th Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, August 1-6, 2010.
• Hass A., J.M. Gonzalez, I.M. Lima, H.W. Godwin, and J.J. Halvorson. 2010. Use of biochar from chicken manure as liming agent for acidic, high P-fixing soils. 2010 US Biochar Initiative Conference, June 27-30, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
• Hass A., R.R. Dobos, and C.H. Delp. 2010. Soil rating system for soil-based stormwater management practices – the West Virginia experience. StormCon2010, The North American Surface Water Quality Conference and Exposition, Aug 1-5, 2010, San Antonio, TX, USA.
• Morris K., R. Zobel, and A. Hass. 2009. Engineering the Best Soils for Turfgrass Applications. USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online 8(19): 1-8.
• Hass A. 2009. Borrowed topsoil properties as affected by the topsoil definition used in salvaging soil material. The 5th International Conference on Soils of Urban, Industrial, Traffic, Mining, and Military Areas. Sep. 19-25, 2009 New York, NY, USA.
• Hass A., K.P. O'Neill, K.P., and K. D. Ritchey. 2008. Quarry fines as mineral-base material in constructing topsoil for turfgrass purposes. ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual meeting Oct. 4-9, 2008, Houston, TX.
• Jimenez-Esquilin A., and A. Hass. 2008. Assessment of microbial parameters related to soil quality in growing media assembled from different quarry materials and organic amendments. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Oct. 4-9, 2008, Houston, TX.
• Hass A. 2008. Borrowed Topsoil - What do we want and how do we get it? Virginia turfgrass field day. August 19-20, 2008. Turfgrass Research Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
• Fine P., R. Bittan, O. Dreazen, N. Atzmon, and A. Hass. 2005. Leaching of Fecal Bacteria from Soils Irrigated with Secondary Effluent in Lysimeters. International conference: The Microbiology of Subsurface and Groundwater Environments. September 20-21, 2005. Sede Boqer, Israel.
• Fine P., N. Atzmon, A. Beriozkin, R. Rosenberg, S. Suriano, S. Davidov, Y. Moshe, T. Markowitz and A. Hass. 2004. Disposal of secondary effluent in forest plantation. International Forum on Food Security under Water Security in the Middle East: Problems and Solutions. 24-27 November, 2004 COMO (Italy).
• Hass A., Berezkin, R. Rozenberg, U. Mingelgrin, and P. Fine. 2002. Chemical redistribution of heavy metals in biosolids treated soils. The 32 conference of the Israel Society for Ecology & Environmental Quality Sciences (ISEEQS), Dec. 17-18^th, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
• Hass A., U. Yermiyahu, R. Volcan, A. Berezkin, R. Rozenberg, and P. Fine, 2002. Copper complexation by wastewater dissolved organic matter. The 32 conference of the Israel Society for Ecology & Environmental Quality Sciences (ISEEQS), Dec. 17-18^th, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
• Fine P., A. Hass, A. Beriozkin, R. Rosenberg, S. Suriano, S. Davidov, Y. Moshe, T. Markowitz and N. Atzmon. 2002. Disposal of secondary effluent via irrigated Eucalyptus: Assessment of potential risks and benefits in a lysimeter study. The International Conference of Eucalyptus Production. 10-15 Nov. Hobart, Australia.
• Hass A., A. Berezkin, R. Rozenberg, U. Mingelgrin and P. Fine, 2001. Chemical Redistribution of Heavy Metals in Biosolids Amended Soils. Conference of The Israel Society of Soil Science. Oct. 15, 2001 Volcani Center, Beit-Dagan, Israel.
• Hass A., A. Berezkin, R. Rozenberg, U. Mingelgrin and P. Fine, 2001. Long-term availability of heavy metals in soils treated with biosolids as affected by OM degradation and solid-phase redistribution. The 6th International Conf. On the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements. July 29 – Aug. 2, 2001. University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
• Fine P., A. Hass, A. Berezkin, and N. Atzmon. 1999. Fate of organic matter, copper and zinc in effluent irrigated or fertigated sludge-amended sand: A lysimeter study. In: Chen, Y., Hadar, Y., and Waldman, M., (Eds.) Modern Agriculture and Environmental Quality. Inter. Confer of the Ministry of Science. April 26-28, 1999. Jerusalem, Israel.
• Fine P., A. Hass A., A. Berezkin and N. Atzmon. 1999. Minimizing organic matter leaching from secondary effluent irrigated, biosolids amended lysimeters. The 7^th Int. Conference of the Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Sciences; - Environmental Challenges for the Next Millenium. June 1999, Jerusalem, Israel.
• Yermiyahu U., A. Hass, R. Rozenberg, and P. Fine, 1999. Sewage sludge application to soils: Implication on cation exchange capacity. In: Chen, Y., Hadar, Y., and Waldman, M., (Eds.) Modern Agriculture and Environmental Quality. Inter. Confer of the Ministry of Science. April 26-28, 1999. Jerusalem, Israel.
• Fine P., A. Hass, A. Berezkin, and N. Atzmon. 1998. Mobilization of Cu and Zn in effluent irrigated or fertigated biosolids amended sand: a lysimeter study. In: Inyang H.I. et al. (Eds.) Proc. of the 4^th Int. Symp. on Envirom. Geotechnol. & Global Sustain. Develop. Vol. 3: Site characterization, improvement and monitoring techniques. August 1998. Boston, MA.
• Fine, P., A. Hass, E. R. Gerber, M. D. Borisover and N. Atzmon, 1997. Behavior of organic and inorganic xenobiotics in soils treated with sewage sludge and effluent. 4^th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements. June 23-26, 1997, University of California, Berkeley, California.