Professor Sean Comber
Profiles

Professor Sean Comber

Visiting Professor

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Professor Sean Comber can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Estuarine chemistry
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Chemicals sources
  • Aquatic chemistry
  • Chemical fate
Biography

Biography

Moving from a career in consultancy to the University of Plymouth in 2012, Sean is a Professor in Environmental Chemistry and Associate Head of School (Knowledge Exchange) as well as an academic involved with teaching, research and consultancy. He has managed the MSc Environmental Consultancyprogramme for the past 8 years. Sean is also module leader at stage 1 and stage 4 of the undergraduate BSc (Hons) Environmental Sciencedegree course. Sean has published over 100 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals. He has also managed 10 PhDs since 2012. 

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Marine Chemistry, University College North Wales, Bangor (1983 - 1986)PhD Chemistry, Southampton University (1986 - 1989)

Professional membership

Society of Environmental Toxicity and ChemistryChartered Institute of Waste Management

Roles on external bodies

Assistant Editor of Chemical Speciation and Bioavailability to 2018NERC Panel C reviewer
External Examiner for 7 PhDs at universities of Oxford, Lancaster, Brunel, Portsmouth, Cranfield and York 
Referee for Science of the Total Environment; Environment International; Environmental Science and Technology
Academic member of UKWIR Chemical Investigation Programme Steering Group
Academic member of UKWIR Chemical Source Apportionment-GIS (SAGIS) Project Steering Group 

Key publications

Comber SDW, Smith R, Daldorph P, Gardner MJ, Constantino C & Ellor B (2017) 'Development of a chemical source apportionment decision support framework for lake catchment management' Science of the Total Environment 622-623, 96-105 , DOI Open access
View all publications
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

Environmental Management and Sustainability (Stage 1, BSc (Hons) Environmental Science )Environmental Legislation (Water Framework Directive) (Stage 2, BSc (Hons) Environmental Science )
Waste Management (Stage 4, BSc (Hons) Environmental Science)
Environmental Management Audit Systems (MSc Environmental Consultancy )
Quality Assurance/Quality Control (MSc Environmental Consultancy )
Work placements (MSc Environmental Consultancy)
Research

Research

Research interests

Pharmaceutical fate in the environment
Phosphorus sources, speciation and bioavailability in freshwaters
Source apportionment of chemicals in the environment
Metal speciation and toxicity in river, estuarine and coastal waters
Fate and behaviour of chemicals in the environment
Environmental legislation 
Waste water treatment 

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

PhD supervisionUniversity of Plymouth (2012-onwards)
Preston Akenga (Director of Studies) Uptake of antiretrovirals into food products from untreated wastewater. Funded by Commonwealth Scholarship Programme. 1/10/18-1/10/21.
Ry Crocker (Director of Studies) Phosphorus fate and management on the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar ditch systems. Funded by University of Plymouth, Wessex Water and Natural England. 1/1/18 – 1/7/21.
Rupert Goddard (Director of Studies) Impacts of the Davidstow dairy on the River Inny catchment. Funded by University of Plymouth and Dairy Crest. 1/10/17 – 1/4/21.
Louis Jolly (Co-supervisor) - Selection for antibiotic resistance in the aquatic environment, with Exeter University and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. 1/10/16 – 1/10/19.
Simone Bagnis (Director of Studies) – fate of pharmaceuticals in poorly or untreated sewage discharged to the environment. Funded by Astra Zeneca. 1/10/15 – 1/4/2019.
Lauren Dawson (Director of Studies) – impacts on water chemistry and ecology of carbonate dosing of the West Dart river. 1/10/15 – 1/4/2019.
Katherine Lees (Director of Studies) – fate of pharmaceuticals derived from wastewater reuse in soil. Funded by Astra Zeneca. Completed July 2018.
Aldous Rees – (joint Director of Studies with Southampton Solent University) Zinc sources and fate in the Hamble estuary. Completed September 2018.
Holly Pearson (Director of Studies) – Zinc and copper speciation in estuaries and the influence of dissolved organic carbon sources on bioavailability and toxicity. Completed October 2016.
David Megson – PCB isotope ratios in blood serum as a method for source tracking of human exposure – completed December 2014.
Atkins (2005-2011)
Carlos Constantino – EngD (Metal speciation and toxicity inwastewaters) Brunel University Institute for the Environment (2009-2012),Thesis submitted, Awarded March 2012.
WRc (1989 – 2005)
Dr Ruth Arnold (copper speciation and toxicity to earth worms).University of Reading, School of Geography and Earth Sciences, 2007.
Dr Sarah-Jane Hope (Influence of tea drinking on manganese intake,manganese status and leucocyte expression of MnSOD and cytosolic aminopeptidase) Imperial College, 2006. 
Dr Eleanor Van Veen (Development of Speciation Based Environmental Quality Standards) with Imperial College, PhD in Environmental Science and Technology, 2003. 
Dr Anne Conrad (Exposure of the oligochaete Lumriculis variegatus to sediment-associated contaminants: influence of contaminant properties). The University of Reading School of Animal and Microbial Sciences, 2000.

Grants & contracts

Contracts:Atkins/Environment Agency (2012) - Review of phosphorus recovery and recycling options for the water industry
Atkins/UKWIR (2012) - Review of the fate and behaviour and catchment modelling of trace organic chemicals of high concern in sewage effluent 
Atkins/UKWIR (2012) - Method development of export coefficient database for diffuse minewater inputs of metals to surface waters.
Atkins/UKWIR (2012) - Method development for national source apportionment model for estuaries, specifically fluxes of metals and nutrients from UK estuaries to coastal waters, for WFD planning.
Publications

Publications

Key publications

Comber SDW, Smith R, Daldorph P, Gardner MJ, Constantino C & Ellor B (2017) 'Development of a chemical source apportionment decision support framework for lake catchment management' Science of the Total Environment 622-623, 96-105 , DOI Open access

Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
Byrne P, Mayes WM, James AL, Comber S, Biles E, Riley AL & Runkel RL (2024) 'PFAS River Export Analysis Highlights the Urgent Need for Catchment-Scale Mass Loading Data' Environmental Science & Technology Letters Publisher Site , DOI
Crocker R, Blake WH, Hutchinson TH & Comber S (2023) 'Chemical speciation of sediment phosphorus in a Ramsar wetland' Anthropocene 43, , DOI Open access
Comber S, Lunt P, Taylor M, Underwood N, Crocker R & Schindler R (2023) 'Restoration management of phosphorus pollution on lowland fen peatlands: A data evidence review from the Somerset Levels and Moors' Agricultural Water Management 287, , DOI Open access
Crocker R, Blake WH, Hutchinson TH & Comber S (2023) 'Aquatic phosphorus behaviour within a UK Ramsar wetland: Impacts of seasonality and hydrology on algal growth and implications for management' Science of The Total Environment 893, 164606-164606 , DOI
Krishnan R, Howard IS, Comber S & Jha AN (2023) 'In silico prediction of acute chemical toxicity of biocides in marine crustaceans using machine learning' Science of The Total Environment 887, , DOI Open access
Thornber K, Adshead F, Balayannis A, Brazier R, Brown R, Comber S, Court C, Davidson I, Depledge M & Farmer C (2022) 'First, do no harm: time for a systems approach to address the problem of health-care-derived pharmaceutical pollution' The Lancet Planetary Health 6, (12) e935-e937 , DOI Open access
Riley AL, Amezaga J, Burke IT, Byrne P, Cooper N, Crane RA, Comber SDW, Gandy CJ, Hudson-Edwards KA & Jennings E (2022) 'Incorporating conceptual site models into national-scale environmental risk assessments for legacy waste in the coastal zone' Frontiers in Environmental Science 10, , DOI Open access
Comber S, Deviller G, Wilson I, Peters A, Merrington G, Borrelli P & Baken S (2022) 'Sources of copper into the European aquatic environment' Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Gardner MJ, Ansell L & Ellor B (2022) 'Assessing the impact of wastewater treatment works effluent on downstream water quality' Science of the Total Environment 845, , DOI Open access
Mng'ong'o M, Munishi LK, Blake W, Comber S, Hutchinson TH & Ndakidemi PA (2022) 'Towards sustainability: Threat of water quality degradation and eutrophication in Usangu agro-ecosystem Tanzania' Marine Pollution Bulletin 181, 113909-113909 , DOI
Gardner MJ, Comber SDW & Ellor B (2022) 'Summary of data from the UKWIR chemical investigations programme and a comparison of data from the past ten years' monitoring of effluent quality' Science of the Total Environment 832, , DOI Open access
Down C & Comber S (2022) 'The impact of diet on wastewater treatment works phosphorus loading' Environmental Technology 1-12 , DOI Open access
Humphrey J, Rowett C, Tyers J, Gregson M & Comber S (2021) 'Are sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) effective at retaining dissolved trace elements?' Environmental Technology , DOI Open access
Mng’ong’o M, Munishi LK, Blake W, Comber S, Hutchinson TH & Ndakidemi PA (2021) 'Soil fertility and land sustainability in Usangu Basin-Tanzania' Heliyon 7, (8) , DOI Open access
Mng'ong'o M, Comber S, Munishi LK, Ndakidemi PA, Blake W & Hutchinson TH (2021) 'Potentially toxic elements status and distribution in Usangu agroecosystem-Tanzania' Environmental Challenges 4, , DOI Open access
Schindler RJ, Comber SDW & Manning AJ (2021) 'Metal pollutant pathways in cohesive coastal catchments: Influence of flocculation and biopolymers on partitioning and flux' Science of the Total Environment 795, , DOI Open access
Mng'ong'o M, Comber S, Munishi LK, Ndakidemi PA, Blake W & Hutchinson TH (2021) 'Land use patterns influence the distribution of potentially toxic elements in soils of the Usangu Basin, Tanzania' Chemosphere 284, 131410-131410 , DOI
Mng'ong'o M, Munishi LK, Ndakidemi PA, Blake W, Comber S & Hutchinson TH (2021) 'Accumulation and bioconcentration of heavy metals in two phases from agricultural soil to plants in Usangu agroecosystem-Tanzania' Heliyon 7, (7) , DOI Open access
Mng'ong'o M, Comber S, Munishi LK, Blake W, Ndakidemi PA & Hutchinson TH (2021) 'Assessment of arsenic status and distribution in Usangu agro-ecosystem-Tanzania' Journal of Environmental Management 294, 113012-113012 , DOI
Comber SDW, Gardner MJ & Ellor B (2021) 'Perfluorinated alkyl substances: Sewage treatment and implications for receiving waters' Science of the Total Environment 791, 148391-148391 , DOI Open access
Mng'ong'o M, Munishi LK, Ndakidemi PA, Blake W, Comber S & Hutchinson TH (2021) 'Toxic metals in East African agro-ecosystems: Key risks for sustainable food production' Journal of Environmental Management 294, 112973-112973 , DOI
Mng’ong’o M, Munishi LK, Blake W, Ndakidemi PA, Comber S & Hutchinson TH (2021) 'Characterization of soil phosphate status, sorption and saturation in paddy wetlands in usangu basin-Tanzania' Chemosphere 278, 130466-130466 , DOI
Comber SDW, Gardner MJ & Ellor B (2021) 'Effects of iron dosing used for phosphorus removal at wastewater treatment works; impacts on forms of phosphorus discharged and secondary effects on concentrations and fate of other contaminants' Science of The Total Environment 767, 145434-145434 , DOI Open access
Johnson R, Rieuwerts J & Comber SDW (2021) 'How does a country’s developmental status affect ambient air quality with respect to particulate matter?' International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 18, (11) 3395-3406 , DOI Open access
Akenga P, Gachanja A, Fitzsimons MF, Tappin A & Comber S (2020) 'Uptake, accumulation and impact of antiretroviral and antiviral pharmaceutical compounds in lettuce' Science of The Total Environment 766, (0) 144499-144499 , DOI Open access
Crocker R, Blake WH, Hutchinson TH & Comber S (2020) 'Spatial distribution of sediment phosphorus in a Ramsar wetland' Science of The Total Environment 765, 0-0 , DOI Open access
Austin TJ, Comber S, Forrester E, Gardner M, Price OR, Oldenkamp R, Ragas AMJ & Hendriks AJ (2020) 'The importance of over-the-counter-sales and product format in the environmental exposure assessment of active pharmaceutical ingredients' Science of The Total Environment 752, 141624-141624 , DOI Open access
Jordan A, Hill R, Turner A, Roberts T & Comber S (2020) 'Assessing Options for Remediation of Contaminated Mine Site Drainage Entering the River Teign, Southwest England' Minerals 10, (8) 721-721 , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Upton M, Lewin S, Powell N & Hutchinson TH (2020) 'COVID-19, antibiotics and One Health: a UK environmental risk assessment' Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy , DOI Open access
Rees AB, Gallagher A, Wright LA, Wood J, Cathery T, Harrison B, Down C & Comber S (2020) 'Leisure craft sacrificial anodes as a source of zinc and cadmium to saline waters' Marine Pollution Bulletin 158, 111433-111433 , DOI Open access
Lees KE, Fitzsimons MF, Snape J, Tappin A & Comber SDW (2020) 'Developing the OECD 106 fate testing protocol for active pharmaceuticals in soil' Environmental Technology 1-11 , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Gardner MJ, Constantino C, Firth S, Hargreaves A & Davies R (2020) 'Modelling scenarios of environmental recovery after implementation of controls on emissions of persistent organic pollutants' Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts 22, (9) 1865-1876 , DOI Open access
Goddard R, Gardner MJ, Hutchinson TH, Lunt P, Pearson HBC, Tappin A, Schofield HK, Attfield T, Worsfold P & Comber S (2020) 'Physico-chemical factors controlling the speciation of phosphorus in English and Welsh rivers' Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts , DOI Open access
Bagnis S, Boxall A, Gachanja A, Fitzsimons M, Murigi M, Snape J, Tappin A, Wilkinson J & Comber S (2019) 'Characterization of the Nairobi River catchment impact zone and occurrence of pharmaceuticals: implications for an impact zone inclusive environmental risk assessment' Science of The Total Environment 134925-134925 , DOI Open access
Comber S, Gardner M, Sörme P & Ellor B (2019) 'The removal of pharmaceuticals during wastewater treatment: Can it be predicted accurately?' Science of the Total Environment 676, 222-230 , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Gardner MJ & Ellor B (2019) 'Seasonal variation of contaminant concentrations in wastewater treatment works effluents and river waters' Environmental Technology 1-15 Author Site , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Bagnis S, Tappin A, Fitzsimons M & Snape J (2018) 'IMPACT OF THE WASTEWATER-MIXING ZONE ON ATTENUATION OF PHARMACEUTICALS IN NATURAL WATERS: IMPLICATIONS FOR AN IMPACT ZONE INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT' Science of the Total Environment , DOI Open access
Munro K, Martins CPB, Loewenthal M, Comber S, Cowan DA, Pereira L & Barron LP (2018) 'Evaluation of combined sewer overflow impacts on short-term pharmaceutical and illicit drug occurrence in a heavily urbanised tidal river catchment (London, UK)' Science of the Total Environment 657, 1099-1111 Author Site , DOI Open access
Pearson HBC, Comber SDW, Braungardt CB, Worsfold P, Stockdale A & Lofts S (2018) 'Determination and Prediction of Zinc Speciation in Estuaries' Environmental Science and Technology 52, (24) 14245-14255 Author Site , DOI Open access
Lees K, Fitzsimons M, Snape J, Tappin A & Comber S (2018) 'Soil sterilisation methods for use in OECD 106: How effective are they?' Chemosphere 209, 61-67 , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Bagnis S, Snape J, Fitzsimons M & Tappin A (2018) 'Processes of distribution of pharmaceuticals in surface freshwaters: implications for risk assessment' Environmental Chemistry Letters 16, (4) , DOI Open access
Megson D, Brown TA, O'Sullivan G, Robson M, Ortiz X, Worsfold PJ, Comber S, Lohan MC & Reiner EJ (2018) 'Changes to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) signatures and enantiomer fractions across different tissue types in Guillemots' Marine Pollution Bulletin 131, 174-179 Author Site , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Whitehead P, Bussi G, Hossain MA, Dolk M, Das P, Peters R, Charles K, Hope R & Hossain S (2018) 'Restoring water quality in the polluted Turag-Tongi-Balu river system, Dhaka: Modelling nutrient and total coliform intervention strategies' Science of the Total Environment , DOI Open access
Pearson HBC, Dallas LJ, Comber SDW, Braungardt CB, Worsfold PJ & Jha AN (2018) 'Mixtures of tritiated water, zinc and dissolved organic carbon: Assessing interactive bioaccumulation and genotoxic effects in marine mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis' Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 187, 133-143 , DOI Open access
Tappin AD, Navarro-Rodriguez A, Comber SDW & Worsfold PJ (2018) 'The role of alkalinity in setting water quality metrics: phosphorus standards in United Kingdom rivers' Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts 20, (10) 1361-1372 Author Site , DOI Open access
Gardner MJ & Comber SDW (2017) 'Detecting environmental change: how many samples are required?' Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts Author Site , DOI Open access
Bagnis S, Fitzsimons M, Snape J, Tappin A & Comber S (2017) 'Sorption of active pharmaceutical ingredients in untreated wastewater effluent and effect of dilution in freshwater: Implications for an “impact zone” environmental risk assessment approach' Science of the Total Environment 624, 333-341 , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Smith R, Daldorph P, Gardner MJ, Constantino C & Ellor B (2017) 'Development of a chemical source apportionment decision support framework for lake catchment management' Science of the Total Environment 622-623, 96-105 , DOI Open access
Comber S, Gardner M, Sörme P, Leverett D & Ellor B (2017) 'Active pharmaceutical ingredients entering the aquatic environment from wastewater treatment works: A cause for concern?' Science of The Total Environment 613-614, 538-547 , DOI Open access
Rees AB, Gallagher A, Comber S & Wright LA (2017) 'An analysis of variable dissolution rates of sacrificial zinc anodes: a case study of the Hamble estuary, UK' Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24, (26) 21422-21433 , DOI Open access
McManus RS, Archibald N, Comber S, Knights AM, Thompson RC & Firth LB (2017) 'Partial replacement of cement for waste aggregates in concrete coastal and marine infrastructure: A foundation for ecological enhancement?' Ecological Engineering , DOI Open access
Constantino C, Comber SDW & Scrimshaw MD (2017) 'The effect of wastewater effluent derived ligands on copper and zinc complexation' Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24, (9) 8363-8374 , DOI Open access
Pearson HBC, Comber SDW, Braungardt C & Worsfold PJ (2017) 'Predicting copper speciation in estuarine waters – Is dissolved organic carbon a good proxy for the presence of organic ligands?' Environmental Science & Technology , DOI Open access
Lees K, Fitzsimons M, Snape J, Tappin A & Comber S (2016) 'Pharmaceuticals in soils of lower income countries: Physico-chemical fate and risks from wastewater irrigation' Environment international , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Rowett C & Hutchinson T (2016) 'The impact of natural and anthropogenic Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), and pH on the toxicity of triclosan to the crustacean Gammarus pulex (L.)' Science of the Total Environment 565, 222-231 , DOI Open access
Beane SJ, Comber SD, Rieuwerts J & Long P (2016) 'Abandoned metal mines and their impact on receiving waters: A case study from Southwest England' Chemosphere 153, 294-306 Open access
Pearson HBC, Galceran J, Companys E, Braungardt C, Worsfold P, Puy J & Comber S (2016) 'Absence of Gradients and Nernstian Equilibrium Stripping (AGNES) for the determination of [Zn2+] in estuarine waters' ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA 912, 32-40 Author Site , DOI Open access
Tappin AD, Comber S & Worsfold PJ (2016) 'Orthophosphate-P in the nutrient impacted River Taw and its catchment (SW England) between 1990 and 2013' Environmental science. Processes & impacts , DOI Open access
Hallett KC, Atfield A, Comber S & Hutchinson TH (2015) 'Developmental toxicity of metaldehyde in the embryos of Lymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) co-exposed to the synergist piperonyl butoxide' Science of The Total Environment 543, 37-43 , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Gardner M, Darmovzalova J & Ellor B (2015) 'Determination of the forms and stability of phosphorus in wastewater effluent from a variety of treatment processes' Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 2924-2930 , DOI Open access
Constantino C, Gardner M, Comber SDW, Scrimshaw MD & Ellor B (2015) 'The impact of tertiary wastewater treatment on copper and zinc complexation' Environmental Technology 36, (22) 2863-2871 , DOI Open access
Megson D, Focant JF, Patterson DG, Robson M, Lohan MC, Worsfold PJ, Comber S, Kalin R, Reiner E & O'Sullivan G (2015) 'Can polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) signatures and enantiomer fractions be used for source identification and to age date occupational exposure?' Environ Int 81, 56-63 Author Site , DOI Open access
Burns EE, Comber S, Blake W, Goddard R & Couldrick L (2015) 'Determining riverine sediment storage mechanisms of biologically reactive phosphorus in situ using DGT' Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 22, (13) 9816-9828 Author Site , DOI Open access
Heffley JD, Comber SDW, Wheeler BW & Redshaw CH (2014) 'Parameterization of pharmaceutical emissions and removal rates for use in UK predictive exposure models: steroid estrogens as a case study' Environ Sci Process Impacts 16, (11) 2571-2579 Author Site , DOI Open access
Comber S, Gardner M, Jones V & Ellor B (2014) 'Source apportionment of trace contaminants in urban sewer catchments' Environmental Technology 36, (5) 573-587 , DOI Open access
Turner A, Comber S, Rees AB, Gkiokas D & Solman K (2014) 'Metals in boat paint fragments from slipways, repair facilities and abandoned vessels: an evaluation using field portable XRF' Talanta 131, 372-378 Author Site , DOI
Comber SDW, Rees AB & Turner A (2014) 'Metal contamination of sediment by paint peeling from abandoned boats, with particular reference to lead' Science of The Total Environment , DOI Open access
Megson D, Brown TA, Johnson GW, O'Sullivan G, Bicknell AW, Votier SC, Lohan MC, Comber S, Kalin R & Worsfold PJ (2014) 'Identifying the provenance of Leach's storm petrels in the North Atlantic using polychlorinated biphenyl signatures derived from comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry' Chemosphere 114, 195-202 Author Site , DOI Open access
Whitehead PG, Futter MN, Comber S, Butterfield D, Pope L, Willows R & Burgess C (2014) 'Modelling impacts of seasonal wastewater treatment plant effluent permits and biosolid substitution for phosphorus management in catchments and river systems' Hydrology Research 46, (3) 313-324 , DOI Open access
Whitehead PG, Jin L, Crossman J, Comber S, Johnes PJ, Daldorph P, Flynn N, Collins AL, Butterfield D & Mistry R (2014) 'Distributed and dynamic modelling of hydrology, phosphorus and ecology in the Hampshire Avon and Blashford Lakes: Evaluating alternative strategies to meet WFD standards' Science of The Total Environment 481, 157-166 , DOI Open access
Megson D, Kalin R, Worsfold PJ, Gauchotte-Lindsay C, Jr PDG, Lohan MC, Comber S, Brown TA & O'Sullivan G (2013) 'Fingerprinting polychlorinated biphenyls in environmental samples using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry' JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A 1318, 276-283 , DOI Open access
Whitehead PG, Crossman J, Balana BB, Futter MN, Comber S, Jin L, Skuras D, Wade AJ, Bowes MJ & Read DS (2013) 'A cost-effectiveness analysis of water security and water quality: impacts of climate and land-use change on the River Thames system' Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 371, (2002) 20120413-20120413 , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Smith R, Daldorph P, Gardner MJ, Constantino C & Ellor B (2013) 'Development of a chemical source apportionment decision support framework for catchment management' Environ Sci Technol 47, (17) 9824-9832 Author Site , DOI Open access
Megson D, O'Sullivan G, Comber S, Worsfold PJ, Lohan MC, Edwards MR, Shields WJ, Sandau CD & Patterson DG (2013) 'Elucidating the structural properties that influence the persistence of PCBs in humans using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset' Sci Total Environ 461-462, 99-107 Author Site , DOI Open access
Comber S, Gardner M, Georges K, Blackwood D & Gilmour D (2013) 'Domestic source of phosphorus to sewage treatment works' Environmental Technology 34, (10) 1349-1358 , DOI Open access
Comber SDW, Gardner M, Jones V, Scrimshaw M, Ellor B, Coello-Garcia T, Cartmell E & Lester J (2013) 'Performance of UK wastewater treatment works with respect to trace contaminants' Science of the Total Environment 359-369
Gardner M, Comber SDW, Scrimshaw M, Cartmell E, Lester J & Ellor B (2012) 'The significance of hazardous chemicals in wastewater treatment works effluents' Science of the Total Environment 437, 363-372 , DOI
Gardner M, Comber S, Leverett D & Gravell A (2012) 'Sample Stability of Trace Priority Substances in Wastewater' Analytical Letters 45, (12) 1686-1694 , DOI
Turner T, Cartmell E, Lester JN, Casse F, Comber SDW & Scrimshaw MD (2011) 'The pharmaceutical use of permethrin: sources and behavior during municipal sewage treatment' Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 61, (2) 193-201 Author Site , DOI
Comber S, Cassé F, Brown B, Martin J, Hillis P & Gardner M (2011) 'Phosphate treatment to reduce plumbosolvency of drinking water also reduces discharges of copper into environmental surface waters' Water and Environment Journal 25, (2) 266-270 , DOI
Comber SDW, Constantino C, Scrimshaw M & Churchley J (2011) 'An evaluation of biotic ligand models predicting acute copper toxicity to daphnia magna in wastewater effluent' Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 4, (30) 852-860 , DOI
Hitchins M, Johnson AJ, Deflandre-Vlandras A, Comber SDW, Posen P & Boorman D (2010) 'Which offers more scope to suppress river phytoplankton blooms: Reducing nutrient pollution or riparian shading?' Science of the Total Environment 21, (408) 5065-5077 , DOI
Comber SDW, Gardner MJ & Thornton AJ (2009) 'AMP5 Chemicals Investigation Programme' Water and Wastewater Treatment 10, (52) 30-31
Comber SDW, Evans D, Whitehead P & Gardner MJ (2009) 'Development of a liming prediction model for Llyn Brianne' Journal of the Institute of Water and Environmental Management 4, (13) 275-279
Comber SDW, Merrington G, Sturdy L, Delbeke K & van Assche F (2008) 'Copper and zinc water quality standards under the EU Water Framework Directive: the use of a tiered approach to estimate the levels of failure' Sci Total Environ 403, (1-3) 12-22 Author Site , DOI
Comber SDW, Blackwood D, Gilmour D & Thorrell A (2008) 'Identifying human waste contribution of phosphorus loads to domestic wastewater' 11th International Conference on Urban Drainage 1-10
Comber SDW, Rule KL, Conrad AU, Höss S, Webb SF & Marshall S (2008) 'Bioaccumulation and toxicity of a cationic surfactant (DODMAC) in sediment dwelling freshwater invertebrates' Environ Pollut 153, (1) 184-191 Author Site , DOI
Comber SDW, Arnold R & Hodson R (2007) 'Does speciation impact on Cu uptake by, and toxicity to, the earthworm Eisenia fetida?' European Journal of Soil Biology 1, (43) 230-232
Arnold RE, Hodson ME & Comber S (2007) 'Does speciation impact on Cu uptake by, and toxicity to, the earthworm Eisenia fetida?' European Journal of Soil Biology 43, S230-S232 , DOI
Comber SDW, Arnold R & Hodson M (2007) 'Effect of organic complexation on the toxicity of copper to the earthworm Eisenia fetida' Applied Geochemistry 22, 2397-2404
Comber SDW (2007) 'The abiotic persistence of atrazine and simazine in water' Journal of Pesticide Science 55, 696-702
Comber SDW, Conrad AU, Höss S, Webb S & Marshall S (2006) 'Chronic toxicity of sediment-associated linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) to freshwater benthic organisms' Environ Pollut 144, (2) 661-668 Author Site , DOI
Comber SDW, Rule KL, Ross D, Thornton AJ, Mackropoulos C & Ratui R (2006) 'Survey of priority substances entering thirty English wastewater treatment works' Water and Environment Journal 3, (20) 177-184
Rule KL, Comber SDW, Ross D, Thornton A, Makropoulos CK & Rautiu R (2006) 'Sources of priority substances entering an urban wastewater catchment--trace organic chemicals' Chemosphere 63, (4) 581-591 Author Site , DOI
Rule KL, Comber SDW, Ross D, Thornton A, Makropoulos CK & Rautiu R (2006) 'Diffuse sources of heavy metals entering an urban wastewater catchment' Chemosphere 63, (1) 64-72 Author Site , DOI
Rule KL, Comber SDW, Ross D, Thornton A, Makropoulos CK & Rautiu R (2006) 'Survey of priority substances entering thirty English wastewater treatment works' Water and Environment Journal 20, (3) 177-184 , DOI
Comber SDW, Hope SJ, Daniel K, Gleason KL, Nelson M & Powell J (2006) 'Influence of tea drinking on manganese intake, manganese status and leucocyte expression of MnSOD and cytosolic aminopeptidase P' European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 60, 1-8
Weeks JM & Comber SDW (2005) 'Ecological risk assessment of contaminated soil' Mineralogical Magazine 69, (5) 601-613 , DOI
Comber SDW, Gardner M & Churchley J (2005) 'Aluminium speciation: implications of wastewater effluent dosing on river water quality' Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability 3, (17) 117-129
Crane M, Whitehouse P, Comber S, Ellis J & Wilby R (2005) 'Climate Change Influences on Environmental and Human Health Chemical Standards' Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal 11, (2) 289-318 , DOI
Comber SDW, Gardner MJ & Churchley J (2005) 'Aluminium speciation: implications of wastewater effluent dosing on river water quality' Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability 17, (3) 117-128 , DOI
Gardner MJ & Comber SDW (2003) 'Aluminium speciation in effluents and receiving waters' J Environ Monit 5, (6) 902-905 Author Site , DOI
Comber SDW, Crane M, Whitehouse P, Giddings J, Grist E, Watts CD & Moore D (2003) 'Aquatic ecotoxicological risk from application of chlorpyriphos to top fruit in the UK' Pesticide Management Science 5, (59) 512-526
Crane M, Whitehouse P, Comber S, Watts C, Giddings J, Moore DRJ & Grist E (2003) 'Evaluation of probabilistic risk assessment of pesticides in the UK: chlorpyrifos use on top fruit' Pest Management Science 59, (5) 512-526 , DOI
Comber SDW, Painter H & Reynolds P (2003) 'Application of the headspace CO2 method (ISO 14593) to the assessment of the ultimate biodegradability of surfactants: Results of a calibration exercise' Chemosphere 50, 29-38
Comber SDW & Gardner MJ (2003) 'Can DOC or colour be used to predict copper complexation capacity in waters and effluents?' Chemical Speciation and Bioavailability 1, (15) 1-5
Comber S & Gardner M (2003) 'Chromium redox speciation in natural waters' Journal of Environmental Monitoring 5, (3) 410-410 , DOI
Gardner M & Comber S (2003) 'Copper complexation capacity in waters and effluents – limitations of using DOC or colour as general predictors' Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability 15, (1) 1-5 , DOI
Conrad AU, Comber SD & Simkiss K (2002) 'Pyrene bioavailability; effect of sediment-chemical contact time on routes of uptake in an oligochaete worm' Chemosphere 49, (5) 447-454 Author Site , DOI
Comber SDW, Gardner MJ & Boxall ABA (2002) 'Survey of four marine antifoulant constituents (copper, zinc, diuron and Irgarol 1051) in two UK estuaries' J Environ Monit 4, (3) 417-425 Author Site , DOI
Comber SDW, Franklin G, Gardner MJ, Watts CD, Boxall ABA & Howcroft J (2002) 'Partitioning of marine antifoulants in the marine environment' Sci Total Environ 286, (1-3) 61-71 Author Site , DOI
Comber SDW, VanVeen EM & Gardner MJ (2002) 'Speciation of Copper in Sewage Effluents and its Toxicity to Daphnia Magna' Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2, (21) 275-280
Comber SDW, Dixon EM & Gardner MJ (2002) 'Interlaboratory comparability of copper complexation capacity determination in natural waters' Journal of Environmental Monitoring 4, 116-120
Comber SDW (2002) 'Determination of trace concentrations of hexavalent chromium' The Analyst 227, 153-156
Van Veen E, Burton N, Comber S & Gardner M (2002) 'Speciation of copper in sewage effluents and its toxicity to <i>Daphnia magna</i>' Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 21, (2) 275-280 , DOI
Comber SDW, Franklin G, Howcroft J, Boxall ABA, Watts CD & Gardner MJ (2002) 'Fate and behaviour of marine antifoulants in the aquatic environment' Science of the Total Environment 286, 61-71
van Veen E, Burton N, Comber S & Gardner M (2002) 'SPECIATION OF COPPER IN SEWAGE EFFLUENTS AND ITS TOXICITY TO DAPHNIA MAGNA' Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 21, (2) 275-275 , DOI
Comber SDW, Franklin G, Watts CD, Munro D, Boxall ABA, MacKay D & Patrick N (2001) 'Environmental Modelling Of Antifoulants' ENSUS 2000 4-6
van Veen E, Gardner M & Comber S (2001) 'Temporal variation of copper and zinc complexation capacity in the Humber estuary' Journal of Environmental Monitoring 3, (3) 322-323 , DOI
Comber SDW (2000) 'A field method for the determination of copper in estuarine waters' International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry 3, (77) 177-183
Comber S & Gardner M (2000) 'A Field Method for the Determination of Copper in Estuarine Waters' International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry 77, (3) 177-183 , DOI
Conrad AU, Comber SD & Simkiss K (2000) 'New method for the assessment of contaminant uptake routes in the oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus' Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 65, (1) 16-21 Author Site , DOI
Gardner MJ, Rogers HR & Comber SDW (2000) 'Solid phase extraction techniques for drinking water abstraction monitoring and investigation of pollution incidents' Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 49, (2) 103-109 , DOI
Comber SDW & Gardner MJ (2000) 'Copper speciation in UK rivers' Chemical Speciation and Bioavailability 1, (12) 1-7
Boxall ABA, Comber SD, Conrad AU, Howcroft J & Zaman N (2000) 'Inputs, monitoring and fate modelling of antifouling biocides in UK estuaries' MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 40, (11) 898-905 , DOI
Comber SDW & Gardner MJ (1999) 'An assessment of trends in European Environmental data for mercury and chlorinated organic compounds in water and biota' Science of the Total Environment 243, 193-201
Comber SDW, Evans D, Gardner MJ, Green C & Whitehead PG (1999) 'Development of a Liming Prediction Model for Llyn Brianne' Water and Environment Journal 13, (4) 275-279 , DOI
Comber SDW & Gardner MJ (1999) 'Rapid Determination of Zinc in Saline Waters' International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry 73, (2) 145-151 , DOI
Rogers HR & Comber SDW (1998) 'Solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) fibre performance in turbid aqueous samples' Chemosphere 37, (8) 1413-1418 , DOI
Comber SDW & Gardner MJ (1997) 'Sample filtration as a source of error in the determination of trace metals in marine waters' The Analyst 122, 1029-1032
Comber SD, Dobbs AJ & Lewis S (1996) 'Guideline values for sediments contaminated with dioxins and furans' Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 35, (2) 102-108 Author Site , DOI
Comber SD, Watts CD & Young B (1996) 'Analytical performance testing of an atrazine immunoassay system' Analyst 121, (10) 1485-1488 Author Site , DOI
Comber SDW, Gunn AM, Whalley C & Gardner MJ (1996) 'Kinetics of trace metal sorption to estuarine suspended particulate matter' Chemosphere 6, (33) 1027-1040
Comber SDW, Gardner MJ, Gunn AM & Whalley C (1996) 'Kinetics of trace metal sorption to estuarine suspended particulate matter' Chemosphere 33, (6) 1027-1040 , DOI
Comber SDW, Gunn AM & Gardner MJ (1996) 'Measurement of absorbance and fluorescence as potential alternatives to BOD' Environmental Technology 17, 771-776
Comber SDW (1996) 'Heavy metals entering sewage treatment works from domestic sources' Journal of the Institute of Water and Environmental Management 10, 137-143
Comber SDW, Bird P, Ravenscroft J & Gardner MJ (1996) 'Zinc inputs to coastal waters from sacrificial anodes' Science of the Total Environment 181, 257-264
Millward GE, Kitts HJ, Comber SDW, Ebdon L & Howard AG (1996) 'Methylated arsenic in the southern North Sea' ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE 43, (1) 1-18 , DOI
Comber SDW, Gunn A & Whalley C (1995) 'Comparison of the partitioning of trace metals in the Humber and Mersey estuaries' Marine Pollution Bulletin 12, (30) 851-860
Comber SDW, Gunn AM & Whalley C (1995) 'Comparison of the partitioning of trace metals in the Humber and Mersey estuaries' Marine Pollution Bulletin 30, (12) 851-860 , DOI
Comber SDW & Gunn AM (1995) 'Behaviour of Trace Metals in Sewage Sludge after Dispersal in Seawater' Environmental Technology 16, (5) 419-432 , DOI
Comber SDW & Gunn A (1995) 'The release of trace metals from sewage sludge dispersed at sea' Environmental Technology 16, 419-423
Comber SDW, Howard A, Purdie D, Kifle D, Antai EE & Apte SC (1995) 'Arsenic speciation and seasonal changes in nutrient availability and micro-plankton abundance in Southampton Water, UK' Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 40, 435-440
Comber SDW (1993) 'Determination of dissolved copper, nickel and cadmium in natural waters by high performance liquid chromatography' The Analyst 118, 505-509
Comber SDW & Howard A (1992) 'Hydride-trapping techniques for the speciation of arsenic' Mikrochimica Acta 109, 27-33
Comber SDW, Apte SC, Gunn AM & Gardner MJ (1991) 'Direct determination of chromium in estuarine and coastal waters by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry' Atomic Spectrometry 6, 169-172
Comber SDW & Howard A (1989) 'The discovery of hidden arsenic species in coastal waters' Applied Organometallic Chemistry 3, 509-514
Comber SDW (1989) 'Arsenic speciation by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry and its application to study the biological cycling in coastal waters' Analytical Proceedings 26, 22-24
Martin-Landa I, de Pablos F, Marr IL, Lancaster JS, Worsfold PJ, Comber SDW, Howard AG, Sanagi MM, Smith RM & Burr CM (1989) 'Determination of organotins in fish and sediments by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection' Analytical Proceedings 26, (1) 16-16 , DOI
Comber SDW, Howard A, Apte SC & Morris A (1988) 'Biogeochemical control of the summer distribution and speciation of arsenic in the Tamar Estuary' Estuarine and Coastal Shelf Science (27) 427-443
Reviews
Comber SDW (1991) 'The development of ion chromatography for metals analysis in saline waters' Journal of the Institute of Water and Environmental Management 5, 158-162
Chapters
Grenni P, Bagnis S & Comber S (2018) 'Naproxen in the environment' Naproxen: Chemistry, Clinical Aspects and Effects 67-100
Conference Papers
Jennings E, Hudson-Edwards K, Onnis P, Crane R, Mayes W, Jarvis A & Comber S (2023) 'Long-term metal flux and concentration behaviour in an AMD affected catchment' Goldschmidt2023 abstracts European Association of Geochemistry , DOI
Megson D, O'Sullivan G, Worsfold PJ, Comber S & Lohan MC (2014) 'Techniques to Age Date Human Exposure to PCBs' Royal Society of Chemistry 125-135 , DOI
Reports
Comber SDW, Gilmour D, Blackwood D, Wakefield J & Issacs J (2012) Alternatives to Phosphate for Plumbosolvency Control. UKWIR London UKWIR
Comber SDW, Gardner MJ & Mistry R (2011) A Review of the Setting of Iron Limits for Wastewater Treatment Works Effluents. A Review of the Setting of Iron Limits for Wastewater Treatment Works Effluents UKWIR London UKWIR
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Married with two boys at University. Keen motorcycle trail rider, camper, photographer, fisherman, walker and surfer of very limited ability... actually that also applies to the other pastimes listed as well. 

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