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Christy Remucal

Christy Remucal

Professor

Dr. Remucal’s Aquatic Chemistry research group works in two major areas. First, we investigate the transformation of polar organic contaminants in both natural and engineering aquatic systems. Contaminants of interests include aquatic pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We are interested in photochemical reaction mechanisms, oxidative transformation at mineral surfaces, and fate in conventional and advanced drinking water treatment systems. Second, we study the molecular composition and reactivity of dissolved organic matter (DOM). We couple optical properties and analysis by high resolution mass spectrometry to assess the reactivity of DOM in lakes and engineered treatment systems. By studying fundamental reaction mechanisms, our group aims to develop models and real-world applications that can be used to improve water quality.

Department

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Contact

271, Goodnight Hall
1975 Willow Dr
Madison, WI

Featured news

  • PhD 2009, Univ. of California-Berkeley
  • MS 2004, Univ. of California-Berkeley
  • BS 2003, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  • 2024 Lakies Award for Great Lakes Research of the Year
  • 2023 University of Wisconsin-Madison, H.I. Romnes Faculty Fellowship
  • 2022 ACS ES&T Water , Best Paper Award
  • 2022 College of Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Ragnar Onstad Service to Society Award
  • 2021 ACS ES&T Water , Best Paper Award
  • 2020 College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Benjamin Smith Reynolds Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • 2020 ESWRT, HOT Article; Among top 10 percent of papers in 2020
  • 2019 Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, Outstanding Reviewer Award
  • 2019 ES&T and ES&T Letters, Young Investigator Award
  • 2018 Environmental Science and Technology Letters, Excellence in Review Award
  • 2018 ESPI, HOT Article; Among top 10 percent of papers in 2018
  • 2018 Royal Society of Chemistry, Included collection – Celebrating excellence in research: 100 years of chemistry
  • 2017 ESPI , HOT Article; Among top 10 percent of papers in 2017
  • 2016 Environmental Science and Technology, Excellence in Review Award
  • 2016 Environmental Sciences: Processes and Impacts, Top 10 Reviewer Award
  • 2016 University of Wisconsin-Madison, University Honored Instructor
  • 2015 National Science Foundation, NSF CAREER Award
  • 2014 ESPI, HOT Article; Among top 20 most downloaded articles in 2014
  • 2010 ETC, Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • 2008 American Chemical Society Division of Environmental Chemistry, Graduate Student Paper Award
  • 2008 University of California, Berkeley, Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award
  • 2003 National Science Foundation, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

  • Pronschinske, M. A., Corsi, S. R., Elliott, S. M., Shafer, M. M., Hannon, K., Gruber, K., & Remucal, C. K. (2025). Evaluating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) prevalence and potential for biological effects in Lake Superior tributaries. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 44(6), 1723-1741 https://doi.org/10.1093/etojnl/vgaf073
  • Cho, S., Remucal, C. K., & Wei, H. (2025). Common and Distinctive Raman Spectral Features for the Identification and Differentiation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. ACS ES&T Water, 5(1), 300-309 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.4c00847
  • Bulson, E. E., Gruber, K. J., Hicks, A. L., & Remucal, C. K. (2025). Leachability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in metal recycling streams. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 495, 139067 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139067
  • Pomazal, R., Malecki, K., Stanton, N., Shelton, B., Lange, M., Irving, R., Meiman, J., Remucal, C., Cochran, A., & Schultz, A. A. (2024). Determinants of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure among Wisconsin residents. Environmental Research, 254, 119131 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.119131
  • Swenson, J. T., Ginder-Vogel, M., & Remucal, C. A. (2024). Influence of Divalent Cation Inhibition and Dissolved Organic Matter Enhancement on Phenol Oxidation Kinetics by Manganese Oxides. Environmental Science & Technology, 58(5), 2479-2489 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c08273
  • Van Frost, S. R., White, A. M., Jauquet, J. M., Magness, A. M., McMahon, K. D., & Remucal, C. K. (2024). Laboratory measurements underestimate persistence of the aquatic herbicide fluridone in lakes. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, 26(2), 368-379 https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EM00537B
  • Sherman-Bertinetti, S. L., Gruber, K. J., & Remucal, C. K. (2024). Preferential Partitioning of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Freshwater Ice. Environmental Science & Technology, 58(34), 15214-15223 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c04636
  • Milstead, R. P., Horvath, E. R., & Remucal, C. K. (2023). Dissolved organic matter composition determines its susceptibility to complete and partial photooxidation within lakes. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(32), 11876-11885 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c01500
  • Berg, S. M., Wammer, K. H., & Remucal, C. K. (2023). Dissolved Organic Matter Photoreactivity Is Determined by Its Optical Properties, Redox Activity, and Molecular Composition. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(16), 6703-6711 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c01157
  • Bulson, E. E., Remucal, C. K., & Hicks, A. L. (2023). End-of-life circulation of PFAS in metal recycling streams: A sustainability-focused review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 194, 106978 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.106978

  • CHEM 299 - Directed Study (Fall 2025)
  • CHEM 699 - Directed Study (Fall 2025)
  • CHEM 980 - Seminar: Review of Current Research (Fall 2025)
  • CHEM 990 - Research (Fall 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 699 - Independent Study (Fall 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 790 - Master's Research or Thesis (Fall 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Fall 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 990 - Thesis (Fall 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 999 - Advanced Independent Study (Fall 2025)
  • CHEM 990 - Research (Summer 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 699 - Independent Study (Summer 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 790 - Master's Research or Thesis (Summer 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Summer 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 990 - Thesis (Summer 2025)
  • INTEGSCI 299 - Independent Study (Summer 2025)
  • CHEM 699 - Directed Study (Spring 2025)
  • CHEM 990 - Research (Spring 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 699 - Independent Study (Spring 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Spring 2025)
  • CIV ENGR 990 - Thesis (Spring 2025)
  • CHEM 699 - Directed Study (Fall 2024)
  • CHEM 990 - Research (Fall 2024)
  • CIV ENGR 699 - Independent Study (Fall 2024)
  • CIV ENGR 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Fall 2024)
  • CIV ENGR 990 - Thesis (Fall 2024)
  • CHEM 990 - Research (Summer 2024)
  • CIV ENGR 790 - Master's Research or Thesis (Summer 2024)
  • CIV ENGR 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Summer 2024)
  • CIV ENGR 990 - Thesis (Summer 2024)
  • CHEM 699 - Directed Study (Spring 2024)
  • CHEM 980 - Seminar: Review of Current Research (Spring 2024)
  • CHEM 990 - Research (Spring 2024)
  • CIV ENGR 699 - Independent Study (Spring 2024)
  • CIV ENGR 790 - Master's Research or Thesis (Spring 2024)
  • CIV ENGR 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Spring 2024)
  • CIV ENGR 990 - Thesis (Spring 2024)
  • CHEM 699 - Directed Study (Fall 2023)
  • CHEM 980 - Seminar: Review of Current Research (Fall 2023)
  • CHEM 990 - Research (Fall 2023)
  • CIV ENGR 322 - Environmental Engineering Processes (Fall 2023)
  • CIV ENGR 699 - Independent Study (Fall 2023)
  • CIV ENGR 790 - Master's Research or Thesis (Fall 2023)
  • CIV ENGR 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Fall 2023)