Research interests

My PhD project is focused on the influence of eco-corona on microplastic transport and heavy metal co-transport in floodplain soils. The research employs a multifaceted approach, including analyzing natural soil-typical eco-coronas, laboratory experiments simulating eco-corona formation, transport studies, and investigations into heavy metal co-transport. The research advances our understanding of the ecological consequences of MPs and we believe that its implications extend beyond floodplain soils, offering insights into MP pollution in terrestrial ecosystems.

Honors & Awards

2023 to Present | DAAD Graduate School Scholarship Programme, 2023 issued by German Academic Exchange Service (Bonn, DE)

Publications

• Valsan, G., Warrier, A. K., Anusree, S., Tamrakar, A., Khaleel, R., & Rangel-Buitrago, N. (2024). Seasonal variation of microplastics in tropical mangrove waters of South-western India. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 69, 103323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2023.103323
• Khaleel, R., Valsan, G., Rangel-Buitrago, N., & Warrier, A. K. (2023). Microplastics in the marine environment of St. Mary’s Island: Implications for human health and conservation. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195(9), 1034. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11651-6
• Unnikrishnan, V., Valsan, G., Amrutha, K., Sebastian, J. G., Rangel-Buitrago, N., Khaleel, R., Chandran, T., Reshma, S. R., & Warrier, A. K. (2023). A baseline study of microplastic pollution in a Southern Indian Estuary. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114468
• Khaleel, R., Valsan, G., Rangel-Buitrago, N., & Warrier, A. K. (2022). Hidden problems in geological heritage sites: The microplastic issue on Saint Mary’s Island, India, Southeast Arabian Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114043

Education

• 2023 to Present | PhD-Candidate, Institute of Geography, University of Cologne, Germany
• 2020 to 2022 | MSc. Geology (Department of Science) at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India
• 2017 to 2020 | BSc. Geology (Department of Geology, Christ College Irinjalakuda (Autonomous)) at University of Calicut, India

Find me also on

• ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3955-3680
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=lJNd29AAAAAJ&hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rizwan-khaleel-1996b0228