Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra
Faculty Image

Dr. R. Naresh Kumar

Joined Institute on : 5-May-2012

  • Associate Professor and Head
  • Civil and Evn Engineering
  • M.Sc., Ph.D. (Anna University, Chennai)
Contact Address

Quarter No. C-1/7, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi

5, Radhakrishnan Street, Manavalanagar, Tiruvallur 602002, Tamilnadu

  • Phone Office - 09801160279
  • Phone Residence - 0651 2275444 (Ext. 4778)
  • Email - rnaresh@bitmesra.ac.in
Work Experience

Teaching : 12 Years

Research : 17 Years

Individual: 17 Years
Professional Background
  • Post Doctoral Fellow, Edith Cowan University, Australia (Sep. 2008 to Apr. 2012)
  • Post Doctoral Fellow, Lund University, Sweden (Apr. 2007 to June. 2008)
Research Areas

Water and Wastewater Treatment (Coagulation-flocculation, Electrochemical Techniques, Filtration, Sequential Processes)

Water Quality Monitoring

Atmospheric Chemistry

Air Quality Monitoring
Award and Honours
  • Adjunct Lecturer, School of Natural Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia (Jul. 2015 to Jul. 2018)
  • Adjunct Lecturer, School of Natural Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia (Jul. 2012 to Jul. 2015)
  • Post Doctoral Fellowship, Australia
  • Post Doctoral Fellowship, Sweden
Publications
  1. Priya, S., Dhandapani, A., Kumar, R. Naresh Kumar, Jawed Iqbal (2024). Integrated Approach (MCD19A2 and PM10 Datasets) for Spatiotemporal Assessment of Aerosol and Revealing Approachable Predictive Model Across the Mega-Mining Region (Jharkhand), India Along with its Accuracy Measures. Journal of Indian Society of Remote Sensing (IF: 2.2 | Q2)
  2. Ravi, Y.K., Kavitha, S., Arulazhagan Pugazhendi, R. Naresh Kumar, J. Rajesh Banu (2024) Effect of potassium persulphate-induced microwave pretreatment for cost-effective sludge solubilization and bioenergy recovery, Chemical Engineering Journal, 498, 155111 (IF: 13.4 | Q1)
  3. Pullokaran, D., Bhardwaj, A., Haswani, D., Yadav, K., Sunder Raman, R., Shukla, D., Dhandapani, A., Iqbal, J., Naresh Kumar, R., Prasad, L., Venkatesh, P., Murthy, S (2024). Spatio-Temporal Trends of the Relationships Between Surface PM2.5 and Its Chemical Constituents Across Three COALESCE Network Locations in India: A Mass Closure Investigation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, e2023JD039855
  4. Venkataraman, C., Anand, A., Maji, S., Barman, N., Tiwari, D., Muduchuru, K., Sharma, A., Gupta, G., Bhardwaj, A., Haswani, D., Pullokaran, D., Yadav, K., Sunder Raman, R. (2024), Imran, M., Habib, G., Kapoor, T.S., Gupta, A.K., Sharma, R., Phuleria H.C., Qadri, A.M, Singh, G.K, Gupta, T., Dhandapani, A., Naresh Kumar, R., Mukherjee, S., Chatterjee, A., Rabha, S., Saikia, B., Saikia, P., Ganguly, D., Chaudhary, P., Sinha, B., Roy, S., Muthalagu, A., Qureshi, A., Lian, Y., Pandithurai, G., Prasad, L., Murthy, S., Duhan, S.S., Laura J.S., Chhangani, A.K., Najar, T.A., Jehangir, A., Kesarkar, A.P., Singh, V. Drivers of PM2.5 Episodes and Exceedance in India: A Synthesis From the COALESCE Network. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, e2024JD040834
  5. Shreya Nandi, R. Naresh Kumar, Abisheg Dhandapani, Jawed Iqbal (2024). Characterization of microplastics in outdoor and indoor air in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India: First insights from the region. Environmental Pollution, Vol. 346, 123543 (IF: 8.9 | Q1)
  6. Abisheg Dhandapani, Jawed Iqbal, R. Naresh Kumar (2023). Application of machine learning (individual vs stacking) models on MERRA-2 data to predict surface PM2.5 concentrations over India. Chemosphere, Vol. 340, 139966. (IF: 8.8 | Q1) 
  7. R. Naresh Kumar, S. Sadaf, Mohini Verma, Shubhrasekhar Chakraborty, Shweta Kumari, Veerababu Polisetti, Parashuram Kallem, Jawed Iqbal, Fawji Banat (2023). Old landfill leachate and municipal wastewater co-treatment by sequencing batch reactor combined with coagulation–flocculation using novel flocculant. Sustainability, Vol. 15, 8205. (IF: 3.9 | Q2)
  8. Abisheg Dhandapani, Jawed Iqbal, R. Naresh Kumar, Ankur Bhardwaj, Deeksha Shukla, Ramya Sunder Raman, SVL Prasad, BMS Murthy (2023) Characterization of fine particulate matter water-soluble inorganic ions and estimation of aerosol acidity at three COALESCE network sites – Mysuru, Bhopal and Mesra in India. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. (IF: 5.8 | Q2)
  9. Verma Mohini, Shubhrasekhar Chakraborty, Shweta Kumari, Aalok Gupta, Dewanshu Kumar, Jawed Iqbal, J. Rajesh Banu, Arulazhagan Pugazhendi, R. Naresh Kumar (2023). Co-treatment of stabilized landfill leachate and municipal wastewater in a granular activated carbon-sequencing batch reactor (GAC-SBR). Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 174, 424-432. (IF: 7.8 | Q1)
  10. Haswani D, RS Raman, K Yadav, A Dhandapani, J Iqbal, R. Naresh Kumar, SVL Prasad, A Yogesh, BMS Murthy, KS Lokesh (2023). Pollution Characteristics and Ecological Risks of Trace Elements in PM2.5 over three COALESCE network sites - Bhopal, Mesra, and Mysuru, India. Chemosphere, 324, 138203. (IF: 8.8 | Q1) 
  11. Sadaf S, AK Singh, J Iqbal, R. Naresh Kumar, J Sulejmanovi, MA Habila, PJH Américo-Pinheiro, F Sher, (2022), Advancements of sequencing batch biofilm reactor for slaughterhouse wastewater assisted with response surface methodology, Chemosphere, 307, 135952. (IF: 8.8 | Q1)
  12. R. Naresh Kumar, Mohini Verma, Jawed Iqbal, Shubhrasekhar Chakraborty (2022). How much spatial and temporal variations in groundwater microbiology can occur following open dumping of municipal solid waste? Water Practice and Technology, Vol. 17, 1369-1377. (IF 1.6 | Q3)
  13. Shweta Kumar, R. Naresh Kumar (2022). How effective aerated continuous electrocoagulation can be for tetracycline removal from river water using aluminium electrodes? Chemosphere, Vol. 305, 135476 (IF: 8.8 | Q1)
  14. Shweta Kumari, R. Naresh Kumar (2022). Natural organic matter, acetaminophen and elements removal from river water by continuous electrocoagulation process using aluminium electrodes. Water Supply. (IF: 1.7 | Q3)
  15. Maheshwarkar, P., Akarsh Ralhan, Ramya Sundar Raman, Kushal Tibrewal, Chandra Venkatraman, Abisheg Dhandapani, R. Naresh Kumar, Sauryadeep Mukherjee, Abhijit Chatterjee, Shahadev Rabha, Binoy K. Saikia, Ankur Bhardwaj, Pooja Chaudhary, Baerbel Sinha, Pradnya Lokhande, Harish C. Phuleria, Sayantee Roy, Mohd. Imran, Gazala Habib, M Azharuddin Hashmi, Asif Qureshi, Adnan Mateen Qadri, Tarun Gupta, Yang Lian, G. Pandithurai, Laxmi Prasad, Sadashiva Murthy, Meena Deswal, Jitender S. Laura, Anil Kumar Chhangani, Tanveer Ahmad Najar, Arshid Jehangir (2022). Understanding the influence of meteorology and emission sources on PM2.5 mass concentrations across India: first results from the COALESCE network. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Vol. 127, pp. 1-15. (IF: 4.4 | Q1)
  16. Shweta Kumari and R. Naresh Kumar (2021). River water treatment using electrocoagulation for removal of acetaminophen and natural organic matter. Chemosphere, Vol. 273, 128571 (IF: 8.8 | Q1)
  17. Shweta Kumari and R. Naresh Kumar (2020). Electrocoagulation for COD, turbidity, ammonia and phosphate removal from municipal wastewater. Journal of Indian Chemical Society, Vol. 97, pp. 527-532. (IF: 0.2 | Q4) 
  18. Chakraborty, C., P.K. Mohanty, J. Iqbal and R. Naresh Kumar (2020). Can electrocoagulation be an effective post-treatment option for SBR treated landfill leachate and municipal wastewater mixture? Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, Vol. 10, pp. 86-95. (IF: 1.7 | Q2)
  19. Singh, M., M. Verma and R. Naresh Kumar (2018). Effects of open dumping of MSW on metal contamination of soil, plants, and earthworms in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Vol. 190, 139. (IF: 3.0 | Q2)
  20. Verma, M. and R. Naresh Kumar (2018). Coagulation and electrocoagulation for co-treatment of stabilized landfill leachate and municipal wastewater. Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination, Vol. 8, pp. 234-243. (IF: 4.5 | Q1)
  21. Rajesh Banu, J., Ushani, U., Rajkumar, M., R. Naresh Kumar, Parthiba Karthikeyan, O., (2017) Impact of mild alkali dosage on immobilized Exiguobacterium spp. mediated cost and energy efficient sludge disintegration. Bioresource Technology, Vol. 245, pp. 434-441. (IF: 11.4 | Q1)
  22. Ranjan, K., S. Chakraborty, M. Verma, J. Iqbal and R. Naresh Kumar (2016) Co-treatment of old landfill leachate and municipal wastewater in sequencing batch reactor (SBR): effect of landfill leachate concentration. Water Quality Research Journal of Canada, Vol. 51, pp. 377–387. (IF: 2.3 | Q2)
  23. Verma, M. and R. Naresh Kumar (2016). Can coagulation-flocculation be an effective pre-treatment option for landfill leachate and municipal wastewater co-treatment? Perspectives in Science. Vol. 8, 492–494.
  24. Chakraborty, S. and R. Naresh Kumar (2016). Assessment of groundwater quality at a MSW landfill site using standard and AHP based water quality index: a case study from Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Vol. 188, pp. 335 (1–18). (IF: 3.0 | Q2)
  25. Naresh Kumar, R., McCullough, C.D., Lund, M.A. and Larranaga, S. (2016). Assessment of factors limiting algal growth in acidic pit Lakes-a case study from Western Australia, Australia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Vol. 23, pp. 5915–5924. (IF: 5.8 | Q1)
  26. Naresh Kumar, R., McCullough, C.D. and Lund, M.A. (2013). Upper and lower concentration thresholds for bulk organic substrates in bioremediation of acid mine drainage. Mine Water and the Environment, Vol. 32, pp. 285–292. (IF: 2.8 | Q2)
  27. Jonstrup, M., R. Naresh Kumar, B. Guieysse, B. Mattiasson and M. Murto (2013). Decolourisation of textile dyes by Bjerkandera sp. BOL 13 using biomass as carbon source. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Vol. 88, 388–394. (IF: 3.4 | Q1)
  28. Naresh Kumar, R., C.D. McCullough, M.A. Lund and M. Newport (2011). Sourcing organic materials for pit lake bioremediation in remote mining regions. Mine Water and the Environment. Vol. 30, 296–301. (IF: 2.8 | Q2)
  29. Jonstrup, M., R. Naresh Kumar, B. Mattiasson and M. Murto (2011). Sequential anaerobic-aerobic treatment of azo dyes: Decolourisation and amine degradability. Desalination, Vol. 280, pp. 339–346. (IF: 9.9 | Q1)
  30. Naresh Kumar, R., C.D. McCullough and M.A. Lund (2011). How does storage affect the quality and quantity of organic carbon in sewage for use in the bioremediation of acidic mine waters? Ecological Engineering, 37, pp. 1205–1231. (IF: 3.8 | Q1)
  31. Naresh Kumar, R., C.D. McCullough and M.A. Lund (2009). Water resources in Australian mine pit lakes. Mining Technology. 118, pp. 205–211. (Scopus | Q2)
  32. Naresh Kumar, R. and R. Nagendran (2009). Fractionation behavior of heavy metals in soil during bioleaching with Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 169, pp. 1119–1126. (IF: 13.6| Q1)
  33. Naresh Kumar, R., R. Nagendran and K. Parvathi (2008). Bioleaching of heavy metals from contaminated soil using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans: effect of sulfur/soil ratio. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Vol. 24, pp. 1539–1546. (IF: 4.1 | Q2)
  34. Naresh Kumar, R. and R. Nagendran (2008). Changes in nutrient profile of soil during bioleaching of heavy metals using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 156, pp. 102–107. (IF: 13.6| Q1)
  35. Banu, J.R, I.T. Yeom, S. Esakkiraj, R. Naresh Kumar, and Logakanthi, S. (2008). Biomanagement of sago-sludge using an earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae. Journal of Environmental Biology, Vol. 29, pp. 143–146. (IF: 0.7 | Q3)
  36. Banu, J.R, I.T. Yeom, S. Esakkiraj, R. Naresh Kumar, Lee, Y.W. and Vallinayagam, S. (2008). Biomanagement of sago-sludge using an earthworm, Lampito mauritii. Journal of Environmental Biology, Vol. 29, pp. 753–757. (IF: 0.7 | Q3)
  37. Naresh Kumar, R. and R. Nagendran (2007). Influence of initial pH on bioleaching of heavy metals from contaminated soil employing indigenous sulfur oxidizing bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. Chemosphere, Vol. 66, pp. 1775–1781. (IF: 8.8 | Q1)
  38. Naresh Kumar, R., R. Nagendran and K. Parvathi (2007). Microbial solubilization of heavy metals in soil using indigenous sulfur oxidizing bacterium: effects of sulfur/soil ratio. Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, Vol. 66, pp. 680–683. (IF: 0.555 | Q3)
  39. Parvathi, K., R. Naresh Kumar and R. Nagendran (2007). Biosorption of Manganese by Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Vol. 23, pp. 671–676. (IF: 4.1 | Q2)
  40. Parvathi, K., R. Naresh Kumar and R. Nagendran (2007). Manganese biosorption sites of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Environmental Technology, Vol. 28, pp. 779–784. (IF: 2.8 | Q2)
  41. Parvathi, K., R. Nagendran and R. Naresh Kumar (2007). Lead biosorption onto waste beer yeast by-product, a means to decontaminate effluent generated from battery manufacturing industry. Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 10 (1). (IF: 2.7 | Q2)
  42. Parvathi, K., R. Nagendran and R. Naresh Kumar (2007). Effect of pH on chromium biosorption by chemically treated Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, Vol. 66, 675–679. (IF: 0.555 | Q3)

Book Chapters

  1. R. Naresh Kumar (2017). How important is the quality and quantity of organic matter for in situ remediation of acidic mine lakes? In: Sustainable Mining Practices (Eds. A.K. Gorai and D.S. Nimaje) pp. 1-15, Narosa Publishing House, India.
  2. Chakraborty, S., D. Kumar, G. Pathak and R. Naresh Kumar (2016). Can sequencing batch reactor (SBR) be effective for N and P removal from municipal wastewater? In: Construction management, mechanization and environmental sustainability (Eds. K. Avishek, M. Mohan and G. Pathak) pp. 76–84, White Falcon Publishing, India
  3. Naresh Kumar, R., C.D. McCullough and M.A. Lund (2013). Pit lakes in Australia. In: Acidic Pit Lakes – The legacy of coal and metal surface mines (Eds. W. Geller, M. Schultze, B. Kleinmann and C. Wolkersdorfer) pp. 342–361, Springer publishers, Berlin, Germany.
  4. Naresh Kumar, R., McCullough, C.D. and Lund, M.A. (2011). Bacterial sulfate reduction based ecotechnology for remediation of acidic pit lakes. In: Mine Pit lakes: Closure and Management. (Ed. C.D. McCullough) pp. 121–134, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, Australia.
  5. Parvathi, K., R. Naresh Kumar, J.R. Banu and R. Nagendran (2004). Dimensionless toxicity index – a tool to assess freshwater quality. In: Freshwater Management. (Eds. R. Ramesh and S. Ramachandran) pp. 59–69, Capital Publishing Company, New Delhi, India.
Current Sponsored Projects
  1. Role: PI, Title: Assessing the Abiotic and Biotic Factors in Pit Lakes for Sustainable Management of Water and Environment. Grant: Rs. 208.58 Lakhs, Duration: 2023 to 2025. Sponsoring Agency: Ministry of Coal, India.
  2. Role: Co-investigator, Title: Metal organic frameworks and sequential electrocoagulation for remediation of mining effluents. Grant: Rs. 25.01 Lakhs, Duration: 2022 to 2025, Sponsoring Agency: DST, India
  3. Role: PI, Title: National Carbonaceous Aerosols Programme (NCAP): Working Group III – Emissions, sources apportionment and climate effects, Grant: Rs. 159.5 Lakhs, Duration: 2016 to 2025, Sponsoring Agency: MoEFCC, India 
  4. Role: PI, TItle: Co-treatment of municipal wastewater and landfill leachate using granular activated carbon supplemented sequencing batch reactor (GAC-SBR), Grant: Rs. 0.79 Lakhs, Duration 2016-2017, Sponsoring Agency: Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi (Seed Money Scheme)
  5. Role: PI, Title: Evaluating the spatial and temporal variations in groundwater quality around municipal solid wastes
    dumping site in Ranchi and developing a solute transport model, Grant: Rs. 11.46 Lakhs, Duration: 2013 to 2016, Sponsoring Agency: UGC, New Dehi, India
  6. Role: Co-investigator: Title: Excess sludge reduction by lysozyme secreting bacterial pretreatment, Grant: Rs. 11.98 Lakhs, Duration: 2009 to 2012, Sponsoring Agency: DBT, India
  7. Role: Co-investigator, Title: Enhancing ecological values of mine pit lakes through simple nutrient addition and bank side vegetation, Grant: A$ 380,000, Duration: 2012 to 2014, Sponsoring Agency: ACARP, Australia
  8. Role: PI, Title: Evaluating the effectiveness of bioremediation for treatment of acid sulfate soil affected lakes, Grant: A$ 80,000, Duration: 2011 to 2012, Edith Cowan University & City of Stirling, Industry Collaboration Grant, Australia
  9. Role: PI, Title: Bioremediation as a potential treatment to improve iron-ore pit lake water quality in the Pilbara, WA, Grant: A$ 174,000, Duration: 2011 to 2012, Sponsoring Agency: Rio Tinto, Australia
  10. Role: Co-investigator, Title: Bioremediation of a Rio Tinto iron ore Pilbara pit lake water - Stage II, Grant: A$ 65,000, Duration: 2011 (06 Months), Sponsoring Agency: Rio Tinto, Australia
  11. Role: Co-investigator, Title: Scoping study for bioremediation of a Rio Tinto iron ore pit lake, Grant: A$ 18,000, Duration: 2010 (04 Months), Sponsoring Agency: Rio Tinto, Australia
Member, Editorial Board
  • Review Editor : Frontiers in Water
  • Review Editor : Frontiers in Environmental Science