The Grainger College of Engineering
Civil & Environmental Engineering

Benito J. Marinas

Benito J. Marinas
Benito J. Marinas he/him/his
  • Ivan Racheff Professor of Environmental Engineering
  • Professor Emeritus
(217) 333-6961
3230B Newmark Civil Engineering Bldg

Primary Research Area

  • Environmental Engineering and Science - Drinking Water

Research Areas

Biography

Benito J. Mariñas holds a B.S. degree (Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain 1982) in civil engineering, and M.S. (University of California at Berkeley 1985), Ph.D. (University of California at Berkeley 1989) degrees in sanitary and environmental engineering. He has been on the faculty of the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois since 1995 and has been an Arthur and Virginia Nauman Faculty Scholar since 1998. Prior to coming to the University of Illinois, Dr. Mariñas was a faculty member (1989-1995) at the School of Civil Engineering of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.

Dr. Mariñas has taught graduate and undergraduate courses covering various fundamental, laboratory experimentation and design aspects of environmental engineering and science with particular emphasis in physico-chemical treatment processes for water quality control.

He is a member of the American Chemical Society, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Water Works Association, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, International Water Association, and Water Environment Federation. He has served these societies through participation in several committees.

Dr. Mariñas has been the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Harold Munson Outstanding Teacher Award (1992), and Ross Judson Buck '07 Outstanding Counselor Award (1992) from the School of Civil Engineering at Purdue University, and the Arthur and Virginia Nauman Faculty Scholar Award (1998-present) from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is also been included in the University of Illinois Incomplete List of Outstanding Instructors in 1996 and 1997.

Education

  • Ph.D. Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, 1988
  • M.S. Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, 1984
  • B.S. Civil Engineering, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain, 1981

Academic Positions

  • Visiting Professor, International Center on Water and Environmental Research (CIRSEE), Suez Environnement, Le Pecq, France, October 24-December 23, 2013
  • Visiting Professor, Water Technology Center (CETaqua), Aguas de Barcelona (AGBAR), Polytechnic University of Catalunya (UPC), and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain, July 2010 
  • Visiting Research Scholar Research Center for Environmental Quality Management, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan, 2005 (May-July)
  • Ivan Racheff Professor of Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005-present
  • Visiting Professor, Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (EAWAG), Dübendorf, Switzerland, 2002 (Nov-Dec)
  • Professor of Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2000-2005
  • Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, 1995-2000
  • Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering, Purdue University, 1994-1995
  • Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering, Purdue University, 1989-1994

Major Consulting Activities

  • Hanson Bridget, LLP (2009, 2010)
  • King Abdullah University of Science and Technology – USA, Washington, DC (2008)
  • Cambridge Water Technology, Cambridge, MA (2007)
  • Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd, Midrand, South Africa (2006, 2007)
  • Consoer Townsend Envirodyne Engineers, Inc., Chicago, Illinois (2005-2008)
  • Passaic Valley Water Commission, Clifton, New Jersey (2004, 2005, 2006)
  • Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc., Aurora, Illinois (2004)
  • Hazen and Sawyer, Atlanta, Georgia (2003, 2006, 2007)
  • Montgomery Watson Harza, Pasadena, California (2002)
  • Hasselberg, Williams, Grebe and Snodgrass, Peoria, Illinois (2001)
  • Generale des eaux, Paris La Defense, France (2001)
  • Kraft Foods, Tarrytown, New York (2001)
  • Montgomery Watson, Inc., Saddlebrook, New Jersey (2000)

Journal Editorships

  • Peer Review Editorial Board Member, Journal American Water Works Association (2006-2012)
  • Associate Editor, ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering (2006-2009)

Professional Societies

  • Water Research Foundation - Member of Advisory Committee for Research Project: "Effect of Ozone Dissolution Methods on Bromate Formation, Disinfection Credit, and Operating Cost"; 2014-2016;
  • Water Environment Federation Member and Member of Advisory Committee for Research Project "A Critical Review of Odor Control Equipment for Toxic Air Emissions Reduction" 1991-96.
  • Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society Member
  • International Association of Water Quality Member
  • Chi Epsilon, Civil Engineering Honor Society Faculty Member
  • Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Member of Awards Committee (1997-1998), and Elected Member of the Board of Directors (2010-2013)
  • American Water Works Association Research Foundation - Member of Advisory Committee for Research Projects: "Modeling Dissolved Ozane Behavior in Ozone Contractors", 1991-1994; "Improvement of the Ozonation Process Through the Use of Static Mixers"; 1999-2003; "Ozonation by Means of Membranes" 2003-2007; "Development of Particle Actinometer" 2002-2005.
  • American Water Wroks Association Member and Member, Membrane technology Research Committee, American Water Works Association, 1991-present. Invited participant, Panel on Issues and Options for an E-Journal AWWA.
  • American Society of Civil Engineers Member and Secretary/Treasurer, Indiana Central Branch, American Society of Civil engineers, 1992-95
  • American Chemical Society Member

Service on Department Committees

  • Department Head (2015-present)
  • Interim Department Head (2014-2015)
  • Environmental Engineering and Science Program Chair (2011-2013)
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Faculty Position Search Committee Chair (2010-2013)
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Retreat Breakout Group on Multidisciplinary and International Education Co-Chair (2010)
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Retreat Breakout Group on International Education Co-Chair (2009)
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Ad-hoc Committee for Development of Non-Tenure Track Faculty Role and Evaluation Guidelines, Member (2010-present)
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Ad-hoc Committee for Development of Departmental Promotion and Tenure Guidelines, Member (2010)
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Awards Committee Member (2009-present)
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Faculty Position Search Committee Chair (2009-2010)
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Management Committee Member (2010-present)

Service on College Committees

  • Safe Global Water Institute - Director (2012 - 2017)
  • NSF STC of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems - Director (2013-2014)
  • NSF STC of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems - Acting Director (2011-2013)
  • NSF STC of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems - Associate Director and Interdisciplinary Water and Health Team Leader (2010-2011)
  • Executive Committee Ad-hoc Subcommittee Chair to review Proposal from MS&E Graduate Option Program in Energy and Sustainability Engineering (2009)
  • Advisory Committee on Appointments, Member (2005-2009)
  • NSF STC of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems – Faculty Search Committee Chair (2005-2006)
  • NSF STC of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems - Interdisciplinary Disinfection Research Team Co-leader (2005-2010)
  • NSF STC of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems - Membrane Science and Processes Thrust Leader (2004)
  • MacArthur Foundation Grant on Strengthening Scientific and Technical Advice on International Peace and Security - Faculty Search Committee Member (2003-2004)

Service on Campus Committees

  • Dean of Engineering Search Committee member (2013)
  • Ad-hoc Committee Co-chair developing Collaborative Water Initiatives for the College of Engineering and College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (2009-2010)
  • Grduate College Graduate Fellowship Subcommittee of the Diversity Initiatives Planning Committee Member (2003)
  • Graduate College Fellowship Workgroup (2000-2001)
  • Graduate College Fellowship Board (2000-present)
  • Graduate College Strategic Planning for the Graduate College Office of Minority Affairs Committee Member (2000-present)
  • Functions of the Graduate College Ad Hoc Committee Member (1999)
  • Graduate College Fellowships for Underrepresented Students Committee Member (1998-2001)
  • Graduate College Associate Dean for Minority Affairs Search Committee Member (1997-1998)

Research Interests

  • Sustainable Approaches for Global Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation
  • Physico-chemical Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes Including: Air Stripping, Disinfection, Membranes, Oxidation-Reduction, Sorption

Research Statement

Dr. Mariñas has research interests in various mechanistic aspects of chemical and ultraviolet light disinfection processes and membrane technologies for the particular application of controlling waterborne pathogens. He is currently a member of the Center for Zoonoses Research at the University of Illinois. He is also developing hybrid adsorption/membrane processes for the control of pesticides, taste-and-odor-causing compounds and other water contaminants, and working on research projects aimed at elucidating the mechanisms responsible for the formation of disinfection by-products of health concern in drinking water.

Primary Research Area

  • Environmental Engineering and Science - Drinking Water

Research Areas

Chapters in Books

  • Lozier, J. C.; Kitis, M.; Kim, J. H.; Mi, B.; Mariñas, B. J. “Evaluation of Biologic and Nonbiologic Methods for Assessing Virus Removal by and Integrity of High Pressure Membrane Systems.” Membrane Treatment for Drinking Water & Reuse Applications: A Compendium of Peer-Reviewed Papers. Edited by Howe, K. J., American Water Works Association, Denver, CO, 2006, pp. 399-420.
  • Snoeyink, V. L., Campos, C., Li, Q., Schideman, L.C. and Mariñas, B. J. “Application of Powdered Activated Carbon in the Floc Blanket Reactor/Ultrafiltration Process.” In Water Research and Water Supply in the 21st Century, ed. Y. Watanabe and N. Funamizu, Hokkaido University Press, Sapporo, Japan, 2003.
  • B. Zhang, B.J. Mariñas and L. Raskin, “Use of molecular probes to study biofilms”, P. Lens, A.P. Moran, T. Mahony, P. Stoodley, V. O’Flaherty (Eds.), Biofilms in Medicine, Industry and Environmental Biotechnology, London, UK: IWA Publishing, 2003, pp. 352-374.
  • C.L. Acker, C.K. Colvin, B.J. Mariñas, J.C. Lozier “Assessing the Integrity of Reverse-Osmosis Spiral-Wound Membrane Elements with Biological and Non-Biological Surrogate Indicators”, Chapter 10 in Membrane Practices in Water Treatment, S.J. Duranceau, Technical Editor, AWWA Trends in Water Series, American Water Works Association, Denver, CO, 2001.

Selected Articles in Journals

  • B. Vazquez-Bravo, K. Gonçalves, J.L. Shisler, BJ. Mariñas (2018) "Adenovirus Replication Cycle Disruption from Exposure to Polychromatic Ultraviolet Irradiation" Environmental Science and Technology, 52 (6), 3652–3659.
  • M. Matsumoto, L. Valentino, G.M. Stiehl, H.B. Balch, A.R. Corcos, F. Wang, D.C. Ralph, B.J. Mariñas, W.R. Dichtel (2018) "Lewis-Acid-Catalyzed Interfacial Polymerization of Covalent Organic Framework Films" Chem 4, 308-317.
  • Y. Diao, M. Han, J.A. Lopez-Berganza, L. Valentino, B.J. Mariñas, R.M. Espinosa-Marzal (2017) "Reconciling DLVO and non-DLVO Forces and Their Implications for Ion Rejection by a Polyamide Membrane" Langmuir 33(36), 8982−8992.
  • L. Valentino, M. Matsumoto, W.R. Dichtel, B.J. Mariñas (2017)"Development and Performance Characterization of a Polyimine Covalent Organic Framework Thin-Film Composite Nanofiltration Membrane" Environmental Science and Technology, 51 (24), 14352–14359.
  • M. Viswanathan, S. Venugopal, I. Minefee, J.S. Guest, B.J. Mariñas, V. Bauza, L. Valentino, R. Kupaza, M. Jones (2016) "A Bottom-Up Approach to Short-Term Immersion in Subsistence Marketplaces: Methodological and Substantive Lessons on Poverty and the Environment from Tanzania" Accepted for publication in Organization & Environment, 29 (4), 438–460.
  • A.M. Gall, J.L. Shisler, B.J. Mariñas (2016) "Inactivation Kinetics and Replication Cycle Inhibition of Adenovirus by Monochloramine" Accepted for publication in Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 3 (4), 185–189.
  • A.M. Gall, B.J. Mariñas, Y. Lu, J.L. Shisler (2016) "Characterizing bacteriophage PR772 as a potential surrogate for adenovirus in water disinfection: A comparative analysis of inactivation kinetics and replication cycle inhibition by free chlorine" Environmental Science and Technology, 50 (5), 2522-2529.
  • C. Jeong, C. Postigo, S. Richardson, J.E. Simmons, S.Y. Kimura, B.J. Mariñas, D. Barcelo, P. Liang, E. Wagner, M.J. Plewa (2015) "The Occurrence and Comparative Toxicity of Haloacetaldehyde Disinfection Byproducts in Drinking Water" Environmental Science and Technology, 49 (23), 13749−13759.
  • S.Y. Kimura, T.N. Vu, Y. Komaki, M.J. Plewa, B.J. Mariñas (2015) "Acetonitrile and N‑Chloroacetamide Formation from the Reaction of Acetaldehyde and Monochloramine" Environmental Science and Technology, 49 (21), 9954-9963.
  • A.M. Gall, B.J. Mariñas, Y. Lu, J.L. Shisler (2015) "Waterborne Viruses: A Barrier to Safe Drinking Water" PLOS Pathogens Pearls 11(6): e1004867.
  • A.M. Gall, J.L. Shisler, B.J. Mariñas (2015) "Analysis of the Viral Replication Cycle of Adenovirus Serotype 2 after Inactivation by Free Chlorine" Environmental Science and Technology, 49 (7), 4584-4590.
  • L. Valentino, T. Renkens, T. Maugin, J.-P. Croué, B.J. Mariñas (2015) "Changes in physicochemical and transport properties of a reverse osmosis membrane exposed to chloraminated seawater" Environmental Science and Technology, 49 (4), 2301–2309.
  • Y. Yang,Y. Komaki, S.Y. Kimura, H.-Y. Hu, E.D. Wagner, B.J. Mariñas, M. J. Plewa (2014) "Toxic Impact of Bromide and Iodide on Drinking Water Disinfected with Chlorine or Chloramines", Environmental Science & Technology, 48 (20), 12362–12369.
  • Y. Komaki, B.J. Mariñas, M.J. Plewa (2014) "Toxicity of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts: Cell Cycle Alterations Induced by the Monohaloacetonitriles" Environmental Science & Technology, 48 (19), 11662-11669.
  • J. Luh, B.J. Mariñas (2014) "Kinetics of bromochloramine formation and decomposition" Environmental Science and Technology, 48, 2843-2852
  • S.Y. Kimura, Y. Komaki, M.J. Plewa, B.J. Mariñas (2013) "Chloroacetonitrile and N,2-Dichloroacetamide Formation from the Reaction of Chloroacetaldehyde and Monochloramine in Water", Environmental Science & Technology, 47, 12382−12390.
  • A.M. Saenz de Jubera, J. Herbison, Y. Komaki, M.J. Plewa, J.S. Moore, D. Cahill, B.J. Mariñas (2013) “Develoment and performance characterization of a polyamide nanofiltrtion membrane modified with covalently bonded aramide dendrimers”, Environmental Science & Technology, 47, 8642−8649.
  • O. Coronell, B. Mi, B.J. Mariñas, D.G. Cahill (2013) Modeling the Effect of Charge Density in the Active Layers of Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Membranes on the Rejection of Arsenic (III) and Potassium Iodide, Environmental Science & Technology, 47, 420-428.
  • Y. Gao, A.M. Saenz de Jubera, B.J. Mariñas, J.S. Moore (2013) Nanofiltration Membranes with Modified Active Layer Using Aromatic Polyamide Dendrimers, Advanced Functional Materials, 23, 598-607.
  • T. Matthews, H. Yan, D.G. Cahill, O. Coronell, B. Mi, B.J. Mariñas (2013) Growth dynamics of interfacially polymerized polyamide layers by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, Journal of Membrane Science, 429, 71-80.

Other Publications

  • Komaki, Y., J. Pals, E. Wagner, B.J. Marinas, M.J. Plewa "Comparative DNA Damage and Repair Kinetics Study in Mammalian Cells by Chloro-, Bromo- and Iodoacetic Acid" Abstract of Poster Presentation at the 40th Annual Meeting of the Environmental Mutagen Society, St. Louis, MO, October 24-28, 2009, Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 50(7), p. 566.
  • Pals, J., J. Clay, Y. Komaki, B.J. Marinas, E. Wagner, M.J. Plewa "Cyanogen Halide Drinking Water Disinfection By-Products" Abstract of Poster Presentation at the 40th Annual Meeting of the Environmental Mutagen Society, St. Louis, MO, October 24-28, 2009, Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 50(7), p. 578.
  • Zhang, B, B. J. Mariñas, E. W. Rice, and L. Raskin (2001), Detection of Aeromonas hydrophila and Mycobacterium avium in Biofilms Developed in Drinking Water Distribution Systems, 101th American Society of Microbiology General Meeting, Orlando, FL, May 20-24.
  • Bichat, F., S. Meintser, B. Mariñas, V. Snoeyink, E. Rice, and L. Raskin (1999), Characterization of Biofilms in a Simulated Drinking Water Distribution Systems Constructed from Corroded Steel Pipe Coupons, 99th American Society of Microbiology General Meeting, Chicago, IL, May 30-June 3.
  • C.-H. Hung, K.-M. Wang, B.J. Mariñas (1993), "Photocatalytic Decomposition of VOCs in Gas Emissions from Air Stripping Towers", The First Purdue University Environmental Workshop, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, August 20, 1993.
  • C.-M. Chen, B.J. Mariñas (1993), "Evaluation and Modeling of Pilot-Scale Ozonation Test Results", The First Purdue University Environmental Workshop, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, August 20, 1993.
  • H.-T. Lan, B.J. Mariñas (1993), "Control of Drinking-Water Lead-Contamination Contributed by Brass Plumbing Fixtures", The First Purdue University Environmental Workshop, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, August 20, 1993.
  • E.J. Pedersen III, B.J. Mariñas (1993), "Control of Cyanogen Chloride Occurrence in Drinking Water", The First Purdue University Environmental Workshop, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, August 20, 1993.
  • P.-Y. Wan, K.-M. Wang, B.J. Mariñas (1993), "The Photocatalytic Degradation of VOCs over Titanium Dioxide", The First Purdue University Environmental Workshop, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, August 20, 1993.
  • R.I. Urama, B.J. Mariñas (1993), "Mechanisms for the Permeation of Organic Molecules Through Reverse Osmosis Membranes", Proceedings of the 48th Industrial Waste Conference, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, May 10-12, 1993, and The First Purdue University Environmental Workshop, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, August 20, 1993.

Teaching Honors

  • Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2008)
  • UIUC Center for Teaching Excellence Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (Fall 1996, Fall 1997, Spring 2002, Fall 2003, Fall 2004, Fall 2005, Spring 2006, Fall 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2015)
  • Ross Judson Buck '07 Outstanding Counselor Award, School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University (1992)
  • Harold Munson Oustanding Teacher Award, School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University (1992)

Research Honors

  • Water Environment Federation Disinfection Committee Award of Merit (2011)
  • Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Board of Directors Elected Member (2010-present)
  • Suez Environnement Eau Pour Tous First-Round Competition Short List (2009)
  • Poster Award to Ph.D. student Jeanne Luh at the 2009 Gordon Research Conference on Drinking Water Disinfection By-Products, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MSA, August 9-14, 2009. (2009)
  • American Water Works Association Membrane Technology Conference Student Best Paper Award (doctoral student: Orlando Coronell) (2007)
  • American Water Works Association Second Place Academic Achievement Award for best Doctoral Dissertation (doctoral student: Lance C. Schideman) (2007)
  • Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) Chemical Sciences Poster Award (Summer Research Opportunity Program student: Wanakee Carr (2006)
  • Ivan Racheff Professorship (2005-present)
  • Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) Parsons Engineering Science Doctoral Thesis Award (doctoral student: Qilin Li) (2003)
  • Arthur and Virginia Nauman Faculty Scholar Award (1998-2005)