Peer-reviewed journal articles:
If access to the articles is not available at your institution, please feel free to e-mail me (nmladenov @ sdsu.edu) for a copy. (Asterisk* = corresponding authors)
  1. L. Astete Vasquez*, N. Mladenov. 2023. Waste evolution in onsite sanitation systems: varied waste introduction methods and periods of operation. Scientific Reports, 13 (8506), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35110-x.
  2. C. Wall* et al. Fire transforms effects of terrestrial subsidies on aquatic ecosystem structure and function. Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, in revision.
  3. J. Johnson, N. Dodder, N. Mladenov*, L. Steinberg, W. Richardot, E. Hoh*. Comprehensive Evaluation of Trace Organic Chemical Removal from Municipal Wastewater Treated by Aerobic and Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors. ES&T, submitted.
  4. C. Spiegel*, N. Mladenov, C. Wall, K. Hollman, C.C. Symons, J. B. Shurin. Life after a fiery death: fire and browning effects on dissolved organic matter composition in experimental freshwater ponds. Limnology and Oceanography, in review.
  5. M.E. Stack, K. Hollman, N. Mladenov, B. Harper, F. Pinongcos, K.E. Sant, C. M. Rochman, W. Richardot, N. Dodder, E. Hoh. 2023. Micron-size tire tread particles leach organic compounds at higher rates than centimeter-size particles: Compound identification and profile comparison. Environmental Pollution, 331 (1), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122116.
  6. E. Rivera, N. Mladenov*, L. Astete Vasquez, G. McKenzie, V. Gonzalez. 2022. Low maintenance anammox enrichment and nitrogen removal with an anaerobic baffled reactor. Bioresource Technology, Vol. 364, 128047, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128047 (OPEN ACCESS).
  7. F. Pinongcos, N. Mladenov*, J. Calderon, M. E. Verbyla, A. M. Kinoshita, R. Gersberg, C. M. Batikian. 2022. Chemical and microbial markers for discriminating sanitary sewer contamination in coastal, urban streams, Environmental Science & Technology: Water. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.2c00265 (OPEN ACCESS).
  8. S.M. Baron, N. Mladenov, K.E. Sant, A.M. Kinoshita*. 2022. Surface Water Quality after the Woolsey Fire in southern California. Water Air and Soil Pollution. 233:377 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05844-x.
  9. A. Rocha, M. Verbyla*, K.E. Sant, and N. Mladenov*. 2022. Detection, Quantification, and Simplified Wastewater Surveillance Model of SARS-CoV-2 in the Tijuana River. Environmental Science & Technology: Water, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.2c00062 (OPEN ACCESS).
  10. A. Kinoshita, M. Miletic, N. Mladenov, and R. Becerra. 2022. Upland and riparian surface soil processes in an urban creek with native and non-native vegetation after fire. Fire, Special Issue: Fire in Human Landscapes, https://doi.org/10.3390/fire5020032 (OPEN ACCESS).
  11. D. Garcia, G. Muñoz Meléndez, A. Arteaga, L. Ojeda-Revah, and N. Mladenov*. 2022. Greening urban areas with decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse: a case study of Ecoparque in Tijuana, Mexico. Water, Special issue: Nature Based Solutions as Urban Blue-Green-Brown Infrastructures,   https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/4/596 (OPEN ACCESS).
  12. J. Calderon, M. Verbyla, M. Gil, F. Pinongcos, A. Kinoshita, N. Mladenov*. 2022. Persistence of fecal indicators and microbial source tracking markers in riverbank soils. Water Air and Soil Pollution, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05542-8 (OPEN ACCESS).
  13. N. Mladenov*, N. Dodder, L. Steinberg, W. Richardot, J. Johnson, B. Martincigh, C. Buckley, T. Lawrence, E. Hoh. 2022. Persistence and removal of trace organic compounds in centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment systems. Chemosphere. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131621  (OPEN ACCESS).
  14. N. Mladenov*, D. Parsons, A. Kinoshita, F. Pinongcos, D. Garcia, D. Lipson,  L. Mendoza Grijalva, M. Mueller, T. A. Zink. 2021. Groundwater-surface water interactions and flux of organic matter and nutrients in an urban, Mediterranean stream. Science of the Total Environment, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004896972107457X?via%3Dihub (OPEN ACCESS).
  15. M. Abdel-Samad*, J. P. Calzo, J. K. Felner, L. Urada, M. E. Verbyla, H. Madanat, B. E. Adams, T. Alves, B. Appleyard, J. Chanin, S. Flanigan, H. Foad, M. Ginsberg, M. Higgins, E. Ko, K. Maher, N. Mladenov, P. Peattie, M. Welsh, D. Sleet. 2021. Conceptualizing an interdisciplinary collective impact approach to examine and intervene in the chronic cycle of homelessness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18(4), 2020; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042020 (OPEN ACCESS).
  16. M. Verbyla*, J. Calderon, S. Flanigan, M. Garcia, R. Gersberg, A. Kinoshita, N. Mladenov, F. Pinongcos, M. Welsh. 2021. An assessment of ambient water quality, sanitation, and hygiene challenges for individuals experiencing homelessness at encampments located along river margins, Environmental Engineering Science, doi: 10.1089/ees.2020.0319.
  17. K. Snyder, N. Mladenov*, W. Richardot, N. Dodder, A. Nour, C. Campbell, E. Hoh. 2021. Photochemical dissolution and degradation of industrial crude oil and natural seep oil in seawater. Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 165, 112049 (OPEN ACCESS).
  18. B. Casad*, N. Mladenov, M. Palomo, B. Pietruschka, C. Buckley. 2021. International Research Experiences for Students (IRES): A Communal Utility-Value Approach to Advancing Engineering Education Through Global Sustainable Sanitation.  Advances in Engineering Education, in revision.
  19. L. M. Mendoza, N. Mladenov*, A. M. Kinoshita, F. Pinongcos, M. E. Verbyla, R. Gersberg. 2020. Fluorescence-based monitoring of anthropogenic pollutant inputs to an urban stream in Southern California, USA. Science of the Total Environment, 718: 137206. (OPEN ACCESS!)
  20. I. Laurion*, P. Massicotte, F. Mazoyer, K. Negandhi, N. Mladenov. 2020. Weak mineralization despite strong processing of dissolved organic matter in Eastern Arctic tundra ponds. Limnology and Oceanography, https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.11634.
  21. A. Sanchez, N. Mladenov*. J. Wasswa. 2020. Fluorescent compounds retained by ultrafiltration membranes for water reuse. Journal of Membrane Science, 600, 117867, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2020.117867.
  22. M. Schulhof*, A. Allen, E. Allen, N. Mladenov, J.Blanton, H. Cavalheri, N. Jones. J. McCrow, C. Symons, J. Shurin. 2020. Microbial communities in mountain lakes are independently controlled by nutrients, detritus and biotic interactions. Molecular Ecology, DOI:10.1111/mec.15469.
  23. A. Bigelow, N. Mladenov*, D. Lipson, M. W. Williams. 2020. (first published 2019). Holocene dust deposition drives microbial metabolism in a remote, high-elevation catchment. Holocene, 30(4), 589-596, doi:10.1177/0959683619875191.
  24. K. Clack, B. Pietruschka, I. D. Amoah, P. Muchaonyerwa, A. Odindo, M. Palomo, C. Buckley, Z. Ngwane, N. Mladenov*. 2019. Transfer of coliform bacteria to duckweed harvested from anaerobic baffled reactor effluent. Bioresource Technology Reports, Vol. 8, 100314, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2019.100314.
  25. J. Wasswa*, N. Mladenov*, W. Pearce. 2019. Assessing the potential of fluorescence spectroscopy to monitor contaminants in source waters and water reuse systems. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, doi: 10.1039/C8EW00472B, 5, 370-382.
  26. H. Kulkarni*, N. Mladenov, S. Datta. 2019. Effects of acidification on the optical properties of dissolved organic matter from high and low arsenic groundwater and surface water. Science of the Total Environment, 653, 1326 - 1332.
  27. H. Kulkarni*, N. Mladenov, S. Datta, D. Chatterjee. 2018. Influence of monsoonal recharge on arsenic and dissolved organic matter in the Holocene and Pleistocene aquifers of the Bengal Basin. Science of the Total Environment, 637/638, 588-599.
  28. J.  Wasswa*, N. Mladenov. 2018. Temperature compensation for tryptophan in-situ fluorescence acquisition in source water, wastewater, and recycled water. Environmental Engineering Science, https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2017.0315.
  29. I. Reche*, G. D'Orta, N. Mladenov, D. Winget, C. Suttle. 2018. High deposition of viruses and bacteria above the atmospheric boundary layer. The ISME Journal, doi:10.1038/s41396-017-0042-4.
  30. N. Mladenov*, A. Bigelow, B. Pietruschka, C. Buckley, M. Palomo. 2018. Using submersible fluorescence sensors to track the removal of organic matter in decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) in real time. Water, Science, & Technology, 77 (3), 819-828.
  31. K. M. Oldani, N. Mladenov*, M. W. Williams, C. M. Campbell, D. A. Lipson.  2017. High Elevation Dry Deposition of Carbon and Nutrients in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. JGR-Atmospheres, doi: 10.1002/2016JD026416.
  32. H. Kulkarni, N. Mladenov*, D. M. McKnight, Y. Zheng, M. Kirk, D. Nemergut. 2017. Dissolved fulvic acids from a high arsenic aquifer shuttle electrons to enhance microbial iron reduction. Science of the Total Environment, 615: 1390-1395,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.164.
  33. J. M. Paredez, N. Mladenov*, M. B. Galkaduwa, G. M. Hettiarachchi, G. J. Kluitenberg, S. L. Hutchinson. 2017. A soil column study to evaluate treatment of trace elements from saline industrial wastewater. Water Science & Technology, doi: 10.2166/wst.2017.413.
  34. M. Vega, H. Kulkarni, N. Mladenov, K. Johanneson, G. Hettiarachchi,... S. Datta.  2017. Biogeochemical controls on the release and accumulation of Mn and As in shallow aquifers, West Bengal, India. Frontiers in Environmental Science, https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2017.00029.
  35. M. Xie, N. Mladenov*, M. W. Williams, J. Wasswa, J. Neff, M. P. Hannigan. 2016. Water soluble organic aerosols in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, USA: composition, sources, and optical properties. Scientific Reports, doi:10.1038/srep39339.
  36. H. V. Kulkarni*, N. Mladenov, K. H. Johannesson, S. Datta. 2016. Contrasting dissolved organic matter quality in groundwater of Holocene and Pleistocene sediments and its implications for influencing arsenic mobility. Applied Geochemistry, 77:194-205, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.06.002.
  37. N. Mladenov*, Y. Zheng, B. Simone, T. M. Bilinski, D. M. McKnight, D. Nemergut, K. A. Radloff, M. M. Rahman, and K. M. Ahmed. 2015. Dissolved organic matter quality in a shallow aquifer of Bangladesh: implications for arsenic mobility. Environmental Science & Technology, DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01962.
  38. J. Rüegg*, J. J. Eichmiller, N. Mladenov, and W. K. Dodds. 2015. Dissolved organic carbon concentration and flux in prairie streams: spatial and temporal patterns and processes from long-term data. Biogeochemistry, 125 (3), 393-408.
  39. K. Dintwe, G. S. Okin, P. D'Odorico, T. Hrast, N. Mladenov, A. Handorean, A. Bhattachan, K. K. Caylor. 2015. Soil organic C and total N pools in the Kalahari: potential impacts of climate change on C sequestration in savannas. Plant and Soil, 10.1007/s11104-014-2292-5.
  40. N. Mladenov*, P. Wolski, G. Hettiarachchi, M. Murray-Hudson, H. Enriquez, S. Damaraju, M. Galkaduwa, D. M. McKnight, and W. R. L. Masamba. 2014. Biotic and abiotic factors influencing the mobility of arsenic in groundwater of a through-flow island in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Journal of Hydrology, 518: 326-341, 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.09.026.
  41. T. S. Catala, N. Mladenov, F. Echevarria, and I. Reche. 2013. Influence of rainstorms on chromophoric dissolved organic matter in the Cadiz Bay, Southwestern Spain. Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science, 133: 206 – 216. 
  42. N. R. Goss, N. Mladenov*, C. Seibold, K. Chowanski, L. Seitz, T. B. Wellemeyer, and M. W. Williams. 2013. Quantifying particulate matter deposition at Niwot Ridge, Colorado: Insert collection of dry deposition and particle imaging using the FlowCAM. Atmospheric Environment, 80: 549-558. 
  43. I. Laurion* and N. Mladenov. 2013. Dissolved organic matter photolysis in Canadian arctic thaw ponds. Environmental Research Letters, 8, 035026.
  44. N. Mladenov*, M. W. Willams, K. Cawley, and S. K. Schmidt. 2012. Atmospheric deposition as a source of carbon and nutrients to the barren, alpine environment of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Biogeosciences, 9: 3337-3355.
  45. T. M. Legg, Y. Zheng, B. Simone, K. Radloff, N. Mladenov, A. González Peña, D. Knights, M. M. Rahman, K. M. Ahmed, D.M. McKnight, and D.R. Nemergut. 2012. Bacterial Community Structure Influenced by Sedimentary Carbon and Metal Content in High As Aquifers. Frontiers in Terrestrial Microbiology, 3:82, doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2012.00082.
  46. K. Cawley, P. Wolski, N. Mladenov, and R. Jaffe. 2012.  Transformations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and water chemistry along a transect of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Wetlands, DOI: 10.1007/s13157-012-0281-0.N. 
  47. N. Mladenov*, R. Sommaruga, R. Morales-Baquero, L. Camarero, I. Laurion, M. C. Diéguez, A. Camacho, A. Delgado, O. Torres, X. Chen, M. Felip, and I. Reche. 2011. Dusty skies, UV radiation, and bacteria influence organic matter concentration and optical quality in alpine lakes. Nature Communications, doi:10.1038/ncomms1411 (OPEN ACCESS).
  48. N. Mladenov*, Alados-Arboledas, L., Olmo, F.J., Lyamani, H., Delgado, A., and I. Reche. 2011. Applications of optical spectroscopy and stable isotope analyses to organic aerosol source discrimination in an urban area. Atmospheric Environment, 45: 1960-1969.
  49. N. Mladenov*, I. Reche, F.J. Olmo-Reyes, H. Lyamani, and L. Alados-Arboledas. 2010. Relationships between spectroscopic properties of high-altitude organic aerosols and sun photometry from ground-based remote sensing. Journal of Geophysical Research, 115, doi:10.1029/2009JG000991.
  50. N. Mladenov*, Y. Zheng, M.P. Miller, D. Nemergut, T. Legg, B. Simone, C. Hageman, K. Ahmed, and D.M. McKnight. 2010. Dissolved organic matter sources and consequences for iron and arsenic mobilization in Bangladesh.  Environmental Science & Technology, doi:10.1021/es901472g.
  51. N. Mladenov, J. Ramos-Lopez, D. M. McKnight, and I. Reche. 2009. Alpine lake optical properties as sentinels of dust deposition and global change. Limnology and Oceanography, 54: 2386-2400.
  52. N. Mladenov, E. Pulido-Villena, R. Morales-Baquero, E. Ortega-Retuerta, R. Sommaruga, and I. Reche. 2008. Spatio-temporal drivers of dissolved organic matter in high mountain lakes: the role of Saharan dust inputs and bacterial activity. Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, G00D01, doi:10.1029/2008JG000699.
  53. N. Mladenov*, P. Huntsman-Mapila, P. Wolski, W.R.L. Masamba, and D.M. McKnight. 2008. Dissolved organic matter accumulation, reactivity, and redox state in groundwater of a recharge wetland. Wetlands, 28(3): 747 – 759.
  54. G.S. Okin*, N. Mladenov, L. Wang, D. Cassel, K.K. Caylor, and S. Ringrose. 2008. Spatial patterns of soil nutrients in two southern African savannas. Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, G02011, doi:10.1029/2007JG000584.
  55. N. Mladenov*, D.M. McKnight, S.A. Macko, M. Norris, R.M. Cory, and L. Ramberg. 2007. Chemical characterization of DOM in channels of a seasonal wetland.  Aquatic Sciences, 69(4): 456-471, DOI: 10.1007/s00027-007-0905-2.
  56. N. Mladenov*, D.M. McKnight, P. Wolski, and M. Murray-Hudson. 2007. Simulation of DOM fluxes in a seasonal floodplain of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Ecological Modelling, 205: 181-195.
  57. N. Mladenov*, J. G. Gardner, N. Flores, J. Mbaiwa, G. Mmopelwa, and K. Strzepek. 2007. The value of wildlife-viewing tourism as an incentive for conservation of biodiversity in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.   Development Southern Africa, 24 (3): 409 - 423.
  58. N. Mladenov*, D. M. McKnight, P. Wolski, and L. Ramberg. 2005.  Effects of the annual flood on dissolved organic carbon dynamics in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Wetlands, Vol. 25 (3): 622-638.
  59. N. Mladenov*, K.M. Strzepek, and O.M. Serumola. 2005. Water Quality Modeling of an Effluent-Dominated Stream, the Notwane River, Botswana.  Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Vol. 109/1-3: 97-121.

Peer-reviewed conference proceedings:
  1. L. Astete Vasquez, N. Mladenov. 2022 (extended abstract submitted). Biophysicochemical evolution in anaerobic recirculating toilets: varied waste introduction methods and periods of operation. International Water Association (IWA) Specialty Conference on Anaerobic Digestion.
  2. K. Lamb, A. Kinoshita, N. Mladenov, W. Zorman. 2018. Faculty, student, and practitioner initial conceptions of leadership. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, Paper 22424.
  3. B. Casad, M. Palomo, N. Mladenov. 2018. International scientific research experiences: developing global citizens and nurturing engineers and scientists of the future. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, Paper 23127.
  4. N. Mladenov, A. Bigelow, B. Pietruschka, C. Buckley, M. Palomo. 2017. Evaluating organic carbon removal in a decentralized, anaerobic treatment system for water reuse in peri-urban South Africa. 11th IWA International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse. CA.  Session B2.
  5. A. Bigelow, N. Mladenov, C. Buckley, M. Palomo, B. Pietruschka. 2016. Evaluation of the biodegradability in the Newlands Mashu anaerobic baffled reactor using spectrofluorimetry. Water in South Africa (WISA) Annual Conference, Durban, South Africa, proceedings.
  6. M. Palomo, N. Mladenov, B. Casad. 2016. Training future scientists in sustainable sanitation through international research experiences (IRES). American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Pacific SouthWest Conference, Pomona, CA, USA, proceedings, pp. 229 - 238.
  7. N. Mladenov, T. Kulkarni, and M. London. 2014. Use of in-class demonstrations and activities to convey fundamentals of environmental engineering to undergraduate students. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN, USA, 24:1-10.


Book chapters: 
  1. I. Reche, N. Mladenov, E. Pulido-Villena, R. Morales-Baquero. 2022. "Atmospheric Inputs and Biogeochemical Consequences in High-Mountain Lakes" In The Landscape of the Sierra Nevada. Spring Nature, Switzerland, Book ISBN: 978-3-030-94218-2.
  2. C. Vanderpost, N. Mladenov, M. Murray-Hudson, P. Wolski, L. Magole, L. Ramberg, J. Mbaiwa, C. Kurugundla, N. Moleele,  G. Mmopelwa et al. 2012. “Sustainable Development of the Okavango,” In Tropical Wetland Management: The South-American Pantanal and the International Experience. A. A. R. Ioris, Ed. Ashgate publishers, ISBN: 978-1-4094-1878-8, 374 pp.
  3. T. R. Duhl, N. Clements, N. Mladenov, K. Cawley, F.  Rosario-Ortiz, and M. P. Hannigan. 2014 “Natural and unnatural organic matter in the atmosphere: Recent perspectives on the high molecular weight fraction of organic aerosol.” Advances in the Physicochemical Characterization of Organic Matter: Impact on Natural and Engineered Systems, ACS books, Chapter 5, pp 87–111, doi:10.1021/bk-2014-1160.ch005, SBN13: 9780841229518, eISBN: 9780841229488.