Hongbin Zhan

Biography

Educational Background

• PhD (1996) Hydrology/Hydrogeology, University of Nevada, Reno
• MS (1993) Physics, University of Nevada, Reno
• BS (1989) Physics, University of Science & Technology of China

Awards & Honors

• 2023 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
• 2020 Editors' Citation for Excellence in Refereeing, Water Resources Research, American Geophysical Union;
• 2016 Dean’s Distinguished Achievement Award in Faculty Research; College of Geosciences, Texas A&M University;
• 2013 Best Paper Award, Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, The American Society of Civil Engineers (the single paper won this award in 2013);
• 2011 Best Paper Award, Journal of Hydraulic Engineering (in Chinese), Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society (one of the three papers won this award in 2011);
• 2009 Dean’s Distinguished Achievement Award in Faculty Teaching; College of Geosciences, Texas A&M University
• 2006 Fellow of Geological Society of America;
• 2002 Fred Burggraf Award, Transportation Research Board (TRB), The National Academics;
• 2001-2002 Big 12 Faculty Fellowship, Texas A&M University;
• 1999-2000 Montague Scholar, Center for Teaching Excellence, Texas A&M University

Selected Publications

• Peer-Reviewed Publications in recent three years (2023-2025)

  (* denotes a supervised graduate student, ** denotes a supervised visiting scholar /research associate)

  Books

  1. Wang, Q.**, Zhan, H.B, and Shi, W.G., Art of Single-Well Push-Pull Test, World Scientific Publishing Company, 520 pages, ISBN-10: 9811295581; ISBN-13: 978-9811295584, In Press (will appear July 9, 2025).

  Book Chapters

  1. Chen, Z.*, Wang, Y.N.*, Zhang, J.Y.*, and Zhan, H.B., Emerging pollutants in groundwaters: The origin, transport pathways, remediation, and challenges in Book edited by Dr. Gabriel E. Eckstein, “Emerging Pollutants: Protecting Water Quality for the Health of People and the Environment”, in a Book Series: Advances in Water Security, edited by Dr. Ali Fares, jointly published by UNESCO and Nature-Spring Publishing, 2024.
  2. Jiang, H., Wa, J.S., Wu, K.Y., Zhan, H.B., Cao, Z., Chen, D., Huang, S.J., and Zheng, Z.H., Water effect on oil adsorption and configuration in Nano mineral pores, in “Progress and Challenge of Porous Media: Proceedings of the 16^th Annual Meeting Conference on Porous Media”, Pages 446-455, edited by Jun Yao, Yongfei Yang, Wendong Wang, Hai Sun, Lei Zhang, and Kai Zhang, Springer, 2025.

  Published Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles (2023-2025)

  1. Zhang, L.*, Wang, H.L., Liu, X.H., Zhan, H.B., Schneidewind, U., Krause, S., Jin, M., Liang, X., Liu, Y.F., and Li, P., Denitrification dominates nitrate attenuation and nitrous oxide effluxed under water table fluctuations, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 493, 138325, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138325.
  2. Chen, Z.**, Jin, M., Zhan, H.B., Wang, J.G., and Dou, Z., The effect of nonlinear flow on bimolecular reactive solute transport in 3D single rough fracture, Physics of Fluids, 37, 046635, 2025. Doi:10.1063/5.0263927.
  3. Sedghi, M.M., Izady, A., Al-Maktoumi, A., Chen, M.J., and Zhan, H.B., Flow in a falaj (qanat) in an unconfined aquifer system considering the head loss inside the falaj, arbitrary trajectory of falaj, and areal recharge, Advances in Water Resources, 201， 104973, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2025.104973.
  4. Chen, Z.H.*, Zhang, J.Y.*, and Zhan, H.B., Analysis of the impact of ambient groundwater flow on the aquifer thermal energy storage systems, Journal of Hydrology, 658, 133140, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.133140.
  5. Lu, M.Y, Shan, H.M.**, Zhan, H.B., Shi, Y.X., Lan, X.J., and Liu, Y.Q., Distribution characteristics and adsorption performance of microplastics in domestic sewage: A case study of Guilin, China, Water, 17(6), 868, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17060868.
  6. Cheng, D.W., Zhan, H.B., Chen, X., Yang, S.K., Sun, D.Y., and Liang, X.Y.**, Capillarity effect on groundwater dynamics during periodic forcing, Journal of Hydrology, 654, 132827, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.132827.
  7. Sun, Z.J., Zhang, L.*, Xue, W.L., Zhang, C., Zhan, H.B., and Liu, Y.F.**, Theoretical estimations of carbon geological storage capacities in the deep aquifer in Songliao Basin: Insights from spatial stochastic stimulation, Journal of Environmental Management, 375, 124328, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124328.
  8. Liu, K., Wang, X.G.**, Zhan, H.B., Lian, B.**, Xue, C., Hu, S., Wang, D.Z., and Gu, C.Y., An experimental study of creep characteristics of fissured loess based on triaxial tests, Catena, 250, 108768, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2025.108768.
  9. Sedghi, M.M. and Zhan, H.B., Three-dimensional saturated-unsaturated flow to a well in an alluvial fan wedge-shaped aquifer, Advances in Water Resources, 196, 104901, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2025.104901.
  10. Sedghi, M.M., Izady, A., Al-Maktoumi, A., Chen, M.J., and Zhan, H.B., Discharge variations of a falaj with arbitrary shape in a Wadi aquifer: Case of Al-Aswad falaj, Oman. ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, in press, 2025.
  11. Yao, W.M., Zhang, X., Li, C.D., Lv, Y.M., Fu, Y., Zuo, Q.J., Criss, R.E., Zhan, H.B., and Yan, C.B., Synergistic evolution of hydrological and movement characteristics of Majiagou landslide and identification of key triggering factors through interpretable machine learning, Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 84(2), 91, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-025-04116-2.
  12. Liu, J.G., Peng, S.X., Shan, H.M.**, Liu, J., and Zhan, H.B., Exploring arsenic migration and transformation in anaerobic heterogeneous media through column experiments, Journal of Hydrology, 650, 132559, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.132559.
  13. Sedghi, M.M., and Zhan, H.B., On transient qanat discharge in an unconfined aquifer underlain by a fractured aquifer, Advances in Water Resources, 195, 104874, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2024.104874.
  14. Burns, E.R., Zhang, J.Y.*, Zhan, H.B., and Williams, C.F., 2025, Update of the 2008 Provisional Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Assessment for the Great Basin, USA: Proceedings 50th Stanford Geothermal Workshop, Stanford, California, February 10-12, 2025, SGP-TR-229. [IP- 171271]
  15. Zhang, J. Y.*, Burns, E. R., and Zhan, H.B., The advantages of electric-grade heat storage in long closed-loop wells. Geothermal Rising Conference Transactions. 2024 Oct 27-30;48. Waikoloa, Hawaii.
  16. Li, Z.X.**, Yang, Y., Zhan, H.B., Wan, J.W., Cheng, J.M., Feng, H.B., and Yang, X.S., On the advection-diffusion process with developing eddies in karst conduits, Geophysical Research Letters, 51, e2024FL111214, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL111214.
  17. Wang, D.Z., Wang, X.G.**, Zhan, H.B., Huang, Q.B., Wang, J.D., Lian, B.Q.**, and Wang, F., Influence of micromorphology and water content on the rheological properties and performance evaluation model of loess mudflow, Physics of Fluids, 36(11), 2024. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0233362.
  18. Zhou, R.J.*, Zhan, H.B., Shi, W.G., and Wang, Q.R.**, On the role of non-equilibrium heat transfer in the filled fracture-rock matrix system, Renewable Energy, 121701, 237, Part B, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.121701.
  19. Han, P.F., Zhan, H.B, Wan, L., Wang, X.S., Wang, J.Z, and Jiang, X.W., Special seepage paths among nested groundwater flow systems linking surface water bodies, Hydrological Processes, 38:e15304, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.15304.
  20. Zhuang, C., Yan, L., Kuang, X.X., Zhou, Z.F., Zhan, H.B., Illman, W.A., Dou, Z., Zhou, Z.F., and Wang, J.G., Statistical characteristics of aquitard hydraulic conductivity, specific storage and porosity, Journal of Hydrology, 643, 132066, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.132066.
  21. Si, J.J., Li, Y.J., Zhao, C.Y., Zhan, H.B., Zhang, S.Z., and Zhang, L.*, Carbon emissions and drivers across five urban agglomerations of China: Comparison between the 12^th and 13^th five-year plan periods. Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment. 38, 4577-4593, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00477-024-02819-8.
  22. Zhang, L.*, Ling, J.Y., Huang, S.Z., Zhan, H.B., Wu, Y., Ji, M.G., and Huang, Q., Identification of the non-stationarity of extreme temperature events and teleconnections with solar activity and large-scale atmospheric circulation: A case study in Yangtze River Economic Belt. Journal of Earth Science. In press. 2024.
  23. Shi, W.G., Wang, Q.R., Klepikova, M., and Zhan, H.B., New criteria to estimate local thermal nonequilibrium conditions in porous aquifers, Water Resources Research, 60(7), e2024WR037382, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR037382.
  24. Tan, J.**, Li, B.C., Li, C.D., Zhan, H.B., Zhou, J.Q., Tang, Y.T., and Tang, H.M., Fluid-driven particle migration and its impact on hydraulic transmissivity of stressed filled fractures, Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, 129, e2024JB029066, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JB029066.
  25. Yao, W.M., Fan, Y.B., Li, C.D., Zhan, H.B., Zhang, X., Lv, Y.M., and Du, Z.B., A Bayesian bootstrap-Copula coupled method for slope reliability analysis considering bivariate distribution of shear strength parameters, Landslides, 21: 2557-2567, 2024. DOI 10.1007/s10346-024-02282-0.
  26. Ma, C.*, Shi, W.G., and Zhan, H.B., Estimating hydraulic diffusivity in coastal confined aquifer under tidal fluctuation using a frequency domain model, Journal of Hydrology, 637, 131421, 2024. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131421.
  27. Sedghi, M.M., and Zhan, H.B., Discharge variations of qanat near an ephemeral stream, Journal of Hydrology, 637, 131367, 2024. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131367.
  28. Liu, Y.Q., Shan, H.M.**, You, S.H., Mo, H.N., and Zhan, H.B., Enhanced arsenic removal by graphene oxide chitosan composites through FeOx decoration: Influences and mechanism, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 266, 131078, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131078.
  29. Wang, X.G.**, Hu, S., Lian, B.Q.**, Wang, J.D., Zhan, H.B., Wang, D.Z, Liu, K., Luo, L., and Gu, C.Y., Formation mechanism of a disaster chain in Loess Plateau: A case study of the Pucheng County disaster chain on August 10, 2023, in Shaanxi Province, China, Engineering Geology, 331, 107463, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107463.
  30. Li, Z.X.**, Xiao, J., Wan, J.W., Cheng, J.M., Feng, H.B., Zhan, H.B., Yuan, S., and Huang, K., A dynamic modeling approach to predict water inflow during tunnel excavation in relatively uniform rock masses, Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 146, 105668, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2024.105668.
  31. Zhang, L.*, Zhang, Z.X., Huang, X., Zhang, J.W., Schneidewind, U., Krause, S., Jin, M.G., Liang, X., and Zhan, H.B., Ammonium enrichment, nitrate attenuation and nitrous oxide production along groundwater flow paths: Carbon isotopic and DOM optical evidence, Journal of Hydrology, 632, 130943, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.130943.
  32. Si, J.J., Zhang, L.*, Zhang, S.Z., Li, Y.J., Zhang, Z.X., He, Z.Q., Chen, Y., and Zhan, H.B., Response of spatiotemporal characteristics of air pollutants to meteorological conditions and socioeconomic activities associated to the COVID-19 outbreak over the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Atmospheric Environment, 323, 120390, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2024.120390.
  33. Zhang, Y., Liu, X.T., Lei, D.W., Yin, M.S., Sun, H.G., Guo, Z.L., and Zhan, H.B., Modeling hydrologically mediated hot moments of transient anomalous diffusion in aquifers using an impulsive fractional-derivative equation, Water Resources Research 60, e2023WR036089, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR036089.
  34. Zhang, J.Y.*, and Zhan, H.B., A novel analytical model of fluid leakage through an abandoned well, Advances in Water Resources, 185, 104644, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2024.104644.
  35. Xiong, T., Li, Z.X.**, Zhan, H.B., Wan, J.W., Huang, K., Yuan, S., and Xiao, J., Two-dimensional high-resolution numerical investigation of eddy effect in artificial rough conduits with different shapes, Advances in Water Resources, 184, 104621, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2024.104621.
  36. Wu, Y., Zhang, L.*, Zhang, Z.X., Chen, W.L., Zhan, H.B., Ling, J.Y., Ma, B., and Yang, S.Q., Influence of solar activity and large-scale climate phenomena on extreme precipitation events in Yangtze River Economic Belt, Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, 38, 211-231, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00477-023-02573-3.
  37. Wang, L.L.*, Zhan, H.B., Qian, J.Z., Zhang, R.G., Zhang, Q., and Guan, H.C., Phosphorus sources and transport pathways in the North Chaohu Lake catchment of China, Water, 16, 244, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020244.
  38. Shi, W.G., Zhan, H.B., and Wang, Q.R.**, Quantifying vertical streambed fluxes and streambed thermal properties using heat as a tracer during extreme hydrologic events, Journal of Hydrology, 629, 130553, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.130553.
  39. Jin, A.H., Wang, Q.R.**, and Zhan, H.B., A novel four phase slug single-well push-pull test with regional flux: Forward modeling and parameter estimation, Journal of Hydrology, 630, 130705, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.130705.
  40. Jin, A.H., Wang, Q.R.**, Zhan, H.B., and Zhou, R.J.*, Comparative performance assessment of physical-based and data-driven machine learning models for simulating streamflow: A case study in three catchments across continental United States, ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 29(2), 05024004, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/JHYEFF.HEENG-6118.
  41. Li, J.*, Li, M.G., Zhan, H.B., Chen, J.J., and Xia, X.H., Modelling for well hydraulics of constant-head injection using a partially penetrating well with consideration of well and aquifer clogging, Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 46(1), 207-215, 2024. DOI: 10.11779/CJGE20221085. (in Chinese).
  42. Chen, Z.H.*, and Zhan, H.B., Universal relationship between mass flux and properties of layered heterogeneity on the contaminant flushing process, Water, 15, 3292, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15183292.
  43. Qi, C.T.*, Zhou, R.J.*, and Zhan, H.B., Analysis of heat transfer in an aquifer thermal energy storage system: On the role of two-dimensional thermal conduction, Renewable Energy, 217, 119156, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.119156.
  44. Cheng, Y.B.**, Zhan, H.B., Yang, W.B., Lu, Q., Feng, W., Lu, Q., Wang, Y.Q., Jiang, Q.O., Wang, B., Shi, M.C., Wang, T., Xin, Z.M., and Hao, R.F., Redistribution process of precipitation in ecological restoration activity of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica in Mu Us Sandy Land, China, International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 11(3), 572-585, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2022.03.008.
  45. Dong, G.M.**, Wang, Y., Zhan, H.B., Tian, J., Li, J.N., and Dai, L.N., Numerical simulation of water budget interval for unsteady two-dimensional confined flow, Bulletin of Geological Science and Technology, 42(4), 75-82, 2023. Doi:10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20230028. (in Chinese).
  46. Qi, C.T.*, Zhan, H.B., and Hao, Y.H.**, Analysis of unsaturated-saturated flow induced by a vadose zone well injection, Bulletin of Geological Science and Technology, 42(4), 118-129, 2023. Doi:10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20220703. (in Chinese).
  47. Ma, K., Ma, C.*, Zhan, H.B., and Liu, Y., Mixing effect and skin effect on radial solute transport around an injection well, Bulletin of Geological Science and Technology, 42(4), 130-137, 2023. Doi:10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20220616. (in Chinese).
  48. Shi, W.G., Zhan, H.B., and Wang, Q.R.**, A two-dimensional closed-form analytical solution for heat transport with nonvertical flow in riparian zones, Water Resources Research, 59(8), e2022WR034059, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022WR034059.
  49. Li, J.*, Li, M.G., Zhan, H.B., Chen, J.J., Xia, X.H., and Zhang, S., Semi-analytical solutions for groundwater flow dynamics in confined aquifers under constant-rate injection considering clogging of aquifers around well, Rock and Soil Mechanics, 44(10), 2871-2878, 2023. DOI：10.16285/j.rsm.2023.0375. (in Chinese).
  50. Yan, Y.J., Xin, Z.M., Bai, X.Y., Zhan, H.B., Xi, J.J., Xie, J., and Cheng, Y.B.**, Analysis of growing season normalized difference vegetation index variation and its influencing factors on the Mongolian Plateau based on Google Earth Engine, Plants, 12(13), 2550, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132550.
  51. Ke, Q.R., Li, C.D., Yao, W.M., Fan, Y.B., Zhan, H.B., Li, B.C., and Zhang, X., Comparative characterization of sandstone microstructure affected by cyclic wetting-drying process, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 170, 105486, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2023.105486.
  52. Zhuang, C., Zhan, H.B., Xu, X.D., Wang, J.G., Zhou, Z.F., and Dou, Z., Effects of aquitard windows on groundwater fluctuations within a coastal leaky aquifer system: An analytical and experimental study, Advances in Water Resources, 177, 104473, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2023.104473.
  53. Zhang, L.*, Liu, Y.F., Jin, M.G., Liang, X., Krause, S., Schneidewind, U., Li, Y.M., and Zhan, H.B., Influence of seasonal water-level fluctuations on depth-dependent microbial nitrogen transformation and greenhouse gas fluxes in the riparian zone, Journal of Hydrology, 622, Part B, 129676, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.129676.
  54. Shi, W.G., Wang, Q.R.**, Zhan, H.B., Zhou, R.J., and Yan, H.T., A general model of radial dispersion with wellbore mixing and skin effect, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 27(9), 1891-1908, 2023. http://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2022-372.
  55. Shan, H.M.**, Mo, H.N., Liu, Y.Q., Zeng, C.Y., Peng, S.X., and Zhan, H.B., As(III) removal by a recyclable granular adsorbent through dopping Fe-Mn binary oxides into graphene oxide chitosan, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 237, 124184, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124184.
  56. Lin, Y.F.**, Huang, J.Q., Carr, E.J., Hsieh, T.C., Zhan, H.B., and Yu, H.L., A temporally relaxed theory of physically or chemically non-equilibrium solute transport in heterogeneous porous media, Journal of Hydrology, 620, 129432, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.129432.
  57. Sedghi, M.M., and Zhan, H.B., Groundwater mounding due to recharge from ephemeral streams, Advances in Water Resources, 174, 104421, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2023.104421.
  58. Feng, Q.G.*, and Zhan, H.B., Two-region flow caused by pumping at a partial penetration well in a leaky confined aquifer, International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 1-19, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.3489.
  59. Xin, Z., Feng, W., Zhan, H.B., Bai, X.Y., Yang, W.B., Cheng, Y.B.**, and Wu, X.Q., Atmospheric vapor impact on desert vegetation and desert ecohydrological system, Plants, 12, 223, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020223.
  60. Liu, Y.Q., Shan, H.M.**, Pang, Y.Y., Zhan, H.B., and Zeng, C.Y., Iron modified chitosan/coconut shell activated carbon composite beads for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 224, 156-169, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.112.
  61. Yao, W.M., Li, C.D., Ke, Q.R., Fan, Y.B., Li, B.C., Zhan, H.B., and Criss, R. E., Multi-scale deterioration of physical and mechanical properties of argillaceous siltstone under cyclic wetting-drying of Yangtze River water, Engineering Geology, 312, 106925, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106925.
  62. Ma, C.*, Zhan, H.B., and Shi, W.G., On the vertical flux in a two-layer aquifer system with the absence of aquitard, ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 28(4), 04023008, 2023. DOI: 10.1061/JHYEFF.HEENG-5832.