Naser Khan

Research Interests

Agronomy & Agriculture Chemical Characterisation of Materials Chemical Engineering Design Environmental Engineering Environmental Science and Management Fertilisers and Agrochemicals Wastewater Treatment Processes Management of greenhouse gas emissions from construction activities Management of greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing activities

APrf Naser Khan

School of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering and Information Technology

A/Prof Naser Khan has expertise in the fields of environmental chemistry and soil science, focusing on the development of sustainable waste management and resource recovery technologies. He completed a PhD in Environmental Remediation at the University of South Australia in 2015. With over 20 years of experience, his work centres on biochar synthesis, composting technology, the remediation of metal-contaminated and hydrophobic soils, and the use of smart sensors for agricultural productivity.
Naser currently serves within the School of Chemical Engineering at the Adelaide University. His expertise in resource recovery and soil health has led to industry collaborations and the securing of over $1.9 million in research funding and in-kind support since 2016. This pioneered work includes sensor-integrated "smart" composting vessels.
 
Naser  can supervise postgraduate students in areas ranging from greenhouse gas to the production of biofertilisers.

A/Prof Naser Khan is a soil scientist and environmental chemist with nearly two decades of experience in organic waste management, biochar, composting, crop production, soil performance, and soil remediation.

His work addresses real-world challenges in agriculture and environmental management through solution-oriented approaches. This includes restoring metal-contaminated and hydrophobic soils, improving nutrient-use efficiency, and developing biochar-based fertilisers to support crop productivity under constrained soil conditions. A key focus of his research is the development of sensor-based “smart” technologies to monitor carbon dioxide and ammonia emissions and optimise process performance.
A/Prof Khan has a strong track record of collaboration with both industry and government.

He is available to supervise postgraduate students. Some potential research fields:
• Biochar and biochar-based fertilisers
• Composting and organic waste systems
• Soil remediation (metal-contaminated and hydrophobic soils)
• Greenhouse Gas Remediation and Carbon Management
• Greenhouse gas mitigation in waste systems
• Smart technologies and environmental sensing

Year Citation
2026 Chen, K., Khan, N., Wadewitz, P., Lamichhane, P., Ahmed, M. B., Kwong, P., & Hessel, V. (2026). Pros and cons of nitrogen replenishment in compost, augmented by natural acidity regulators, agri-buffering adjuvants, and grease trap waste. Bioresource Technology Reports, 34, 102729.
DOI
2026 Chen, K., Khan, N., Ahmed, M. B., Kwong, P., & Hessel, V. (2026). Environmental and Ecosystem Effects, Risk Assessment, and Mitigation Strategies for Advanced Composting. Compost Science and Utilization, 1-34.
DOI
2025 Meier, S., Campos, P. M. D. S., Palma-Millanao, R., Rojas, N., Gonzalez, M. -E., Munoz, S., . . . Seguel, A. (2025). Biochar-based controlled-release ammonium phosphate fertilizer: Synthesis and impact on soil nutrient dynamics, wheat growth, and yield under controlled conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION, 39, 14 pages.
DOI WoS8
2024 Meier, S., Campos, P., Morales, A., Jobet, C., López-Olivari, R., Palma-Millanao, R., . . . Seguel, A. (2024). Genotypic responses to phosphorus and water management in winter wheat: Strategies to increase resource use efficiency and productivity. Agricultural Water Management, 295, 16 pages.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7
2024 Meier, S., de Souza Campos, P. M., Morales, A., López-Olivari, R., Ortega-Klose, F., Aponte, H., . . . Seguel, A. (2024). Evaluation and Selection of Bromegrass Genotypes under Phosphorus and Water Scarcity towards the Development of Resilient Agriculture Focusing on Efficient Resource Use. Agronomy, 14(1), 16 pages.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3
2023 Khan, N., Bolan, N., Clark, I., Meier, S., Lewis, D., & Sánchez-Monedero, M. A. (2023). Synergistic Effect of Multiple Metals Present at Slightly Lower Concentration than the Australian Investigation Level Can Induce Phytotoxicity. Land, 12(3), 698.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3
2022 Meier, S., Morales, A., López Olivari, R., Matus, I., Aponte, H., de Souza Campos, P., . . . Seguel, A. (2022). Synergistic role between phosphorus and water use efficiency in spring wheat genotypes. Agricultural Water Management, 263(107481), 1-12.
DOI Scopus14 WoS14
2021 Meier, S., Moore, F., Khan, N., González, M. E., Medina, J., Cumming, J., . . . Aponte, H. (2021). Effect of Poultry Manure Compost and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Cu Immobilization and Soil Microbial Communities in a Cu-Contaminated Soil Using the Metallophyte Oenothera Picensis. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 21(3), 1957-1967.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4
2021 Meier, S., Moore, F., Morales, A., Jobet, C., López-Olivari, R., Aponte, H., . . . Khan, N. (2021). Interactive role between phosphorus utilization efficiency and water use efficiency. A tool to categorize wheats co-adapted to water and phosphorus limiting conditions. Agricultural Water Management, 248(106765), 106765.
DOI Scopus22 WoS15
2021 Meier, S., Moore, F., González, M. E., Medina, J., Campos, P., Khan, N., . . . Seguel, A. (2021). Effects of three biochars on copper immobilization and soil microbial communities in a metal-contaminated soil using a metallophyte and two agricultural plants. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 43(4), 1441-1456.
DOI Scopus22 WoS20 Europe PMC5
2018 Moore, F., González, M. E., Khan, N., Curaqueo, G., Sanchez-Monedero, M., Rilling, J., . . . Meier, S. (2018). Copper immobilization by biochar and microbial community abundance in metal-contaminated soils. Science of the Total Environment, 616-617, 960-969.
DOI Scopus73 WoS61 Europe PMC25
2017 Meier, S., Curaqueo, G., Khan, N., Bolan, N., Cea, M., Eugenia, G. M., . . . Borie, F. (2017). Chicken-manure-derived biochar reduced bioavailability of copper in a contaminated soil. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 17(3), 741-750.
DOI Scopus125 WoS98
2017 Khan, N., Clark, I., Bolan, N., Meier, S., Saint, C. P., Sánchez-Monedero, M. A., . . . Qiu, R. (2017). Development of a buried bag technique to study biochars incorporated in a compost or composting medium. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 17(3), 656-664.
DOI Scopus9 WoS7
2017 Qi, F., Dong, Z., Lamb, D., Naidu, R., Bolan, N. S., Ok, Y. S., . . . Semple, K. T. (2017). Effects of acidic and neutral biochars on properties and cadmium retention of soils. Chemosphere, 180, 564-573.
DOI Scopus77 WoS66 Europe PMC29
2017 Meier, S., Curaqueo, G., Khan, N., Bolan, N., Rilling, J., Vidal, C., . . . Borie, F. (2017). Effects of biochar on copper immobilization and soil microbial communities in a metal-contaminated soil. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 17(5), 1237-1250.
DOI Scopus88 WoS77
2016 Mandal, S., Thangarajan, R., Bolan, N. S., Sarkar, B., Khan, N., Ok, Y. S., & Naidu, R. (2016). Biochar-induced concomitant decrease in ammonia volatilization and increase in nitrogen use efficiency by wheat. Chemosphere, 142, 120-127.
DOI Scopus304 WoS257 Europe PMC102
2016 Khan, N., Clark, I., Sánchez-Monedero, M. A., Shea, S., Meier, S., Qi, F., . . . Bolan, N. (2016). Physical and chemical properties of biochars co-composted with biowastes and incubated with a chicken litter compost. Chemosphere, 142, 14-23.
DOI Scopus106 WoS98 Europe PMC49
2014 Khan, N., Clark, I., Sanchez Monedero, M. A., Shea, S., Meier, S., & Bolan, N. (2014). Maturity indices in co-composting of chicken manure and sawdust with biochar. Bioresource technology, 168, 245-251.
DOI Scopus224 WoS197 Europe PMC105
2014 Curaqueo, G., Meier, S., Khan, N., Cea, M., & Navia, R. (2014). Use of biochar on two volcanic soils: effects on soil properties and barley yield. Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, 14(4), 911-924.
DOI Scopus54 WoS48
2013 Khan, N., & Shea, S. (2013). Turf root enhancement by amendment of Jandakot sands of Western Australia with different rates of biochar. Journal of biobased materials and bioenergy, 7(6), 715-723.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5

Year Citation
2023 Khan, N., Bolan, N., Jospeh, S., Anh, M. T. L., Sarkar, B., & Qiu, R. (2023). Complementing compost with biochar for agriculture, soil remediation and climate mitigation. In D. Sparks (Ed.), Source details - Title: Advances in Agronomy (Vol. 179, pp. 1-90). US: Academic Press.
DOI Scopus48 WoS35
2023 Bolan, N., Srivastava, P., Rao, C. S., Satyanaraya, P. V., Anderson, G. C., Bolan, S., . . . Kirkham, M. B. (2023). Distribution, characteristics and management of calcareous soils. In D. L. Sparks (Ed.), ADVANCES IN AGRONOMY, VOL. 182 (Vol. 182, pp. 80-129). ELSEVIER ACADEMIC PRESS INC.
DOI WoS90
2023 Meier, S., Aponte, H., Khan, N., Cartes, P., Cornejo, P., Medina, J., & Neaman, A. (2023). Use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Remediating Soils Constrained by Metal(loid) Contamination. In B. Bolan, N. N, & K. B (Eds.), Source details - Title: Soil Constraints and Productivity (pp. 263-281). US: CRC Press.
DOI Scopus1
2016 Meier, S., Borie, F., Khan, N., Curaqueo, G., Medina, J., Cornejo, P., . . . Khan, N. (2016). Phytoremediation and heavy metal(loid) toxicity management. In S. Mohandas, & P. Panneerselvam (Eds.), Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Fruit Crop Production (pp. 232-257). New Delhi, India: Daya Publishing House.
2016 Chowdhury, S., Khan, N., Kim, G. H., Harris, J., Longhurst, P., & Bolan, N. S. (2016). Zeolite for Nutrient Stripping From Farm Effluents. In M. N. V. Prasad, & K. Shih (Eds.), Environmental Materials and Waste: Resource Recovery and Pollution Prevention (pp. 569-589). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.
DOI Scopus29 WoS22
2016 Khan, N., Seshadri, B., Bolan, N., Saint, C. P., Kirkham, M. B., Chowdhury, S., . . . Syu, C. H. (2016). Root Iron Plaque on Wetland Plants as a Dynamic Pool of Nutrients and Contaminants. In D. L. Sparks (Ed.), Advances in Agronomy (Vol. 138, pp. 1-96). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.
DOI Scopus196 WoS178

Industry-Funded and Government Collaborative Grants
 

University of Adelaide
2024 & 2022
Australian Government (Innovation Connections) & Ennio International
    • Sustainable packaging development and compostability assessment.
2019
Australian Government (Innovation Connections) & PC & JL Giles Pty Ltd
    • Enhancement of humic and fulvic acid content in commercial compost.

University of South Australia
2022
SA Government – DIIS (IDTC) & Peats Soil
    • Nitrogen-enriched biofertiliser production for crop applications.
2019
Future Industries Accelerator & Peats Soil
    • Biomethane potential of organic waste and anaerobic digester optimisation.
2019
Research Themes Investment Scheme & Peats Soil
    • Development of biochar-based fertilisers and composts for marginal soils.
2018 & 2016
Australian Government (Innovation Connections) & Peats Soil
    • Development of sensor-integrated smart composting systems (BioBin1 & BioBin2).

Key Research Areas
    • Sustainable packaging and compostability
    • Compost enhancement (humic and fulvic acids)
    • Biomethane and anaerobic digestion
    • Smart composting technologies
    • Biochar-based fertilisers and composts
    • Nitrogen-enriched biofertilisers

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