Melvin H Johnson Jr

Agricultural Engineer
USDA-ARS
Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center
2611 West Lucas St., Florence, SC 29501-1242

Mel Johnson is an Agricultural Engineer serving as part of Dr. Kyoung Ro’s research team at the Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center. Our research is focused on the development of improved and innovative technologies for estimating greenhouse and ammonia gas emissions from livestock production facilities and converting manure to value-added products via thermo-chemical pathways.

Education and Training:

M.S., Agricultural Engineering Dept, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
B.S.A.E., Agricultural Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Professional Experience:

Agricultural Engineer, USDA-ARS, Florence, SC

• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • Accuracy of vertical radial plume mapping technique in measuring lagoon gas emission-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Viguria, M., Ro, K.S., Stone, K.C., Johnson, M.H. 2015. Accuracy of vertical radial plume mapping technique in measuring lagoon gas emission. Journal of Air and Waste Management Association. 65(4):395-403.
    
  • Optimal sensor locations for the backward Lagrangian stochastic technique in measuring lagoon gas emission-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Ro, K.S., Stone, K.C., Johnson, M.H., Hunt, P.G., Flesch, T., Todd, R.W. 2014. Optimal sensor locations for the backward Lagrangian stochastic technique in measuring lagoon gas emission. Journal of Environmental Quality. 43:1111-1118.
    
  • Comparison of micrometeorological techniques in measuring gas emissions from waste lagoons-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Comparison of micrometeorological techniques in measuring gas emissions from waste lagoons-(Proceedings)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Viguria, M., Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G. 2013. Comparison of micrometeorological techniques in measuring gas emissions from waste lagoons. In: Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology Conference, November 19-21, 2013, Sacramento, California. http://measurements.awma.org
    
  • Effects of sensor location and the atmospheric stability on the accuracy of an inverse-dispersion technique for lagoon gas emission measurements-(Proceedings)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Flesh, T., Todd, R.W., Trabue, S.L. 2013. Effects of sensor location and the atmospheric stability on the accuracy of an inverse-dispersion technique for lagoon gas emission measurements. In: Guideline on Air Quality Models: The path forward, March 19-21, 2013, Raleigh, North Carolina.
    
  • Inverse-dispersion technique for assessing lagoon gas emissions-(Proceedings)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Todd, R.W., Flesch, T. 2012. Inverse-dispersion technique for assessing lagoon gas emissions. In: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting, July 29-August 1, 2012, Dallas, Texas, Paper #12-1337658. 8 pp.
    
  • Transport of nitrate and ammonium during stream flow events from a southeastern USA Coastal Plain in-stream wetland - 1997 to 1999-(Book / Chapter)
    Novak, J.M., Szogi, A.A., Stone, K.C., Chu, X., Watts, D.W., Johnson, M.H. 2012. Transport of nitrate and ammonium during stream flow events from a southeastern USA Coastal Plain in-stream wetland - 1997 to 1999. Chapter 7. In: Hickey, K., editor. Advances in Hurricane Research - Modelling, Meteorology, Preparedness and Impacts. New York:InTech. p. 139-158. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/51152.
    
  • Accuracy of lagoon gas emissions using an inverse dispersion method-(Proceedings)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Todd, R.W., Flesch, T. 2012. Accuracy of lagoon gas emissions using an inverse dispersion method. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Emissions of Gas and Dust from Livestock, June 10-12, 2012, Saint-Malo, France.
    
  • Measuring gas emissions from animal waste lagoons with an inverse-dispersion technique-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Flesch, T., Todd, R.W. 2013. Measuring gas emissions from animal waste lagoons with an inverse-dispersion technique. Atmospheric Environment. 66:101-106.
    
  • Measuring trace gas emission from multi-distributed sources using vertical radial plume mapping (VRPM) and backward Lagrangian stochastic (bLS) techniques-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Hunt, P.G., Flesch, T.K. 2011. Measuring trace gas emission from multi-distributed sources using vertical radial plume mapping (VRPM) and backward Lagrangian stochastic (bLS) techniques. Atmosphere. 2:553-566.
    
  • Validity of using backward Lagrangian Stochastic technique in measuring trace gas emission from treatment lagoon-(Abstract Only)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Todd, R.W., Flesch, T. 2011. Validity of using backward Lagrangian Stochastic technique in measuring trace gas emission from treatment lagoon [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Society of Agronomy-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting, October 16-19, 2011, San Antonio, Texas.
    
  • Comparing two micrometeorological techniques for estimating trace gas emissions from distributed sources-(Abstract Only)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Hunt, P.G., Flesch, T. 2011. Comparing two micrometeorological techniques for estimating trace gas emissions from distributed sources [abstract]. American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, August 28-September 1, 2011, Denver, Colorado.
    
  • Oxygen transfer in marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Ro, K.S., Hunt, P.G., Johnson, M.H., Matheny, T.A., Forbes, D., Reddy, G.B. 2010. Oxygen transfer in marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A. 45:377-382.
    
  • Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural sites using open-path optical remote sensing method.-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Varma, R.M., Hashmonay, R.A., Hunt, P.G. 2009. Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural sites using open-path optical remote sensing method. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A 44(10):1011-1018.
    
  • Comparison of micrometeorological methods using open-path optical instruments for measuring methane emission from agricultural sites-(Abstract Only)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H. 2009. Comparison of micrometeorological methods using open-path optical instruments for measuring methane emission from agricultural sites [abstract]. In: Proceedings of Air and Waste Management Association First International Greenhouse Gas Measurement Symposium, March 22-25, 2009, San Francisco, California.
    
  • Oxygen transfer in marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater-(Proceedings)
    Ro, K.S., Hunt, P.G., Johnson, M.H., Matheny, T.A., Reddy, G.B. 2008. Oxygen transfer in marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Wetland Systems Technology in Water Pollution Control, November 1-7, 2008, Indore, India. p. 1143-1150.
    
  • Livestock Air Treatment Using PVA-Coated Powdered Activated Carbon Biofilter-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Ro, K.S., Mcconnell, L.L., Johnson, M.H., Hunt, P.G., Parker, D. 2008. Livestock air treatment using PVA-coated powdered activated carbon biofilter. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 24(6):791-798.
    
  • Livestock air treatment using PVA-coated powdered activated carbon biofilter-(Proceedings)
    Ro, K.S., McConnell, L.L., Johnson, M.H., Hunt, P.G., Parker, D. 2008. Livestock air treatment using PVA-coated powdered activated carbon biofilter. Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting, June 29-July 2, 2008, Providence, Rhode Island, Paper No. 084243. 10 pp.
    
  • Trace gas exchanges of marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater-(Abstract Only)
    Ro, K.S., Hunt, P.G., Johnson, M.H., Matheny, T.A., Reddy, G.B. 2008. Trace gas exchanges of marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, November 2-7, 2008, Indore, India.
    
  • Forage subsurface drip irrigation using treated swine wastewater-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Millen, J.A., Johnson, M.H., Matheny, T.A., Vanotti, M.B., Burns, J.C. 2008. Forage subsurface drip irrigation using treated swine wastewater. Transactions of the ASABE 51(2):433-440.
    
  • Path integrated optical remote sensing technique to estimate ammonia and methane gas emissions from CAFOs-(Proceedings)
    Ro, K.S., Hunt, P.G., Johnson, M.H., Szogi, A.A., Vanotti, M.B. 2007. Path integrated optical remote sensing technique to estimate ammonia and methane gas emissions from CAFOs. In: International Symposium on Air Quality and Waste Management for Agriculture, 16-19 September, Broomfield, Colorado. 7 p. 2007 CDROM.
    
  • Ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater-(Proceedings)
    Ro, K.S., Hunt, P.G., Johnson, M.H., Matheny, T.A., Reddy, G.B. 2007. Ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater. Paper Number: 074059. In: Proceedings of American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting, June 17-20, 2007, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 9 pp.
    
  • Estimating ammonia and methane emissions from CAFOs using an open-path optical remote sensing technology-(Proceedings)
    Ro, K.S., Hunt, P.G., Johnson, M.H., Szogi, A.A., Vanotti, M.B. 2007. Estimating ammonia and methane emissions from CAFOs using an open-path optical remote sensing technology. Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International Meeting, Paper Number 074004. 8 p.
    
  • Effect of intermittent drainage on swine wastewater treatment by marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Poach, M.E., Hunt, P.G., Reddy, G.B., Stone, K.C., Johnson, M.H., Grubbs, A. 2007. Effect of intermittent drainage on swine wastewater treatment by marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands. Ecological Engineering 30:43-50.
    
  • Dissolved phosphorus export from an animal waste impacted in-stream wetland: Response to tropical storm and hurricane disturbance-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Novak, J.M., Szogi, A.A., Stone, K.C., Watts, D.W., Johnson, M.H. 2007. Dissolved phosphorus export from an animal waste impacted in-stream wetland: Response to tropical storm and hurricane disturbance. Journal of Environmental Quality 36:790-800.
    
  • New open-path remote optical sensing method to estimate methane emission from soil-(Abstract Only)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Hunt, P.G. 2007. New open-path optical remote sensing method to estimate methane emission from soil [abstract]. Proceedings of 4th USDA Greenhouse Gas Conference, February 6-8, 2007, Baltimore, Maryland. CDROM.
    
  • Greenhouse gas source identification and flux measurements using an optical remote sensing method and a photoacoustic multi-gas analyzer-(Abstract Only)
    Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Novak, J.M., Frederick, J.R., Watts, D.W. 2007. Greenhouse gas source identification and flux measurements using an optical remote sensing method and a photoacoustic multi-gas analyzer. Proceedings of 4th USDA Greenhouse Gas Conference, February 6-8, 2007, Baltimore, Maryland. CDROM
    
  • Forage subsurface drip irrigation using treated swine effluent-(Abstract Only)
    Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Millen, J.A., Johnson, M.H. 2007. Forage subsurface drip irrigation using treated swine effluent [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2007 USDA-CSREES National Water Quality Conference, January 28-February 1, 2007, Savannah, Georgia. Available: http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/extension/training/abstracts/index.php?num=4&action=detail&abs=288
    
  • FORAGE SUBSURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION USING TREATED SWINE EFFLUENT-(Proceedings)
    Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Millen, J.A., Johnson, M.H. 2005. Forage subsurface drip irrigation using treated swine effluent. In: Proceedings of The Irrigation Association Emerging Irrigation Technology Conference, November 6-8, 2005, Phoenix, Arizona. p. 57-61.
    
  • Soybean, wheat, and forage subsurface drip irrigation using treated swine effluent-(Proceedings)
    Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Johnson, M.H. 2004. Soybean, wheat, and forage subsurface drip irrigation using treated swine effluent. Irrigation Associations International Irrigation Technical Conference Proceedings. November 14-16, 2004, Tampa, Florida. p. 407-412.
    
  • SWINE WASTEWATER TREATMENT BY MARSH-POND-MARSH CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS UNDER VARYING NITROGEN LOADS-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Poach, M.E., Hunt, P.G., Reddy, G.B., Stone, K.C., Johnson, M.H., Grubbs, A. 2004. Swine wastewater treatment by marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands under varying nitrogen loads. Ecological Engineering. 23:165-175.
    
  • DISSOLVED PHOSPHORUS RETENTION AND RELEASE CHARACTERISTICS OF NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL PLAIN RIPARIAN ZONES AND IN-STREAM WETLANDS-(Abstract Only)
    Novak, J.M., Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Szogi, A.A., Watts, D.W., Johnson, M.H. 2004. Dissolved phosphorus retention and release characteristics of riparian zones and in-stream wetlands [abstract]. American Water Research Association Conference, June 28-30, 2004, Lake Tahoe, California. 2004 CDROM.
    
  • STREAM NITROGEN CHANGES IN AN EASTERN COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Novak, J.M., Johnson, M.H., Watts, D.W., Humenik, F.J. 2004. Stream nitrogen changes in an eastern coastal plain watershed. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 59(2):66-72.
    
  • Ammonia volatilization from marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Poach, M.E., Hunt, P.G., Reddy, G.B., Stone, K.C., Matheny, T.A., Johnson, M.H., Sadler, E.J. 2004. Ammonia volatilization from marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater. Journal of Environmental Quality 33:844-851.
    
  • DISSOLVED PHOSPHORUS RETENTION AND RELEASE FROM A COASTAL PLAIN IN-STREAM WETLAND-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    NOVAK, J.M., STONE, K.C., SZOGI, A.A., WATTS, D.W., JOHNSON, M.H. DISSOLVED PHOSPHORUS RETENTION AND RELEASE FROM A COASTAL PLAIN IN-STREAM WETLAND. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. 2004. v. 33, p. 394-401.
    
  • DISSOLVED PHOSPHORUS TRANSPORT IN STREAM FLOW FROM AN AGRICULTURALLY INTENSIVE SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    NOVAK, J.M., STONE, K.C., WATTS, D.W., JOHNSON, M.H. DISSOLVED PHOSPHORUS TRANSPORT IN STREAM FLOW FROM AN AGRICULTURALLY INTENSIVE SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED. TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS. 2003. v. 46. p. 1355-1363.
    
  • IMPROVED NITROGEN TREATMENT BY CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS RECEIVING PARTIALLY NITRIFIED SWINE WASTEWATER-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    POACH, M.E., HUNT, P.G., VANOTTI, M.B., STONE, K.C., MATHENY, T.A., JOHNSON, M.H., SADLER, E.J. IMPROVED NITROGEN TREATMENT BY CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS RECEIVING PARTIALLY NITRIFIED SWINE WASTEWATER. ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING. 2003. V. 20. P. 183-197.
    
  • IN-STREAM WETLAND DESIGN FOR NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION MITIGATION-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    STONE, K.C., HUNT, P.G., NOVAK, J.M., JOHNSON, M.H. IN-STREAM WETLAND DESIGN FOR NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION ABATEMENT. TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS. 2003. v. 19.p. 171-175.
    
  • AMMONIA VOLATILIZATION FROM CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS THAT TREAT SWINE WASTEWATER-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    POACH, M.E., HUNT, P.G., SADLER, E.J., MATHENY, T.A., JOHNSON, M.H., STONE, K.C., HUMENIK, F.J., RICE, J.M. AMMONIA VOLATILIZATION FROM CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS THAT TREAT SWINE WASTEWATER. TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS. 2002. V. 45. P. 619-627.
    
  • SEASONAL OCCURRENCE AND EXPORT OF FIVE HERBICIDES FROM A NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • NITROGEN REMOVAL FROM SWINE WASTEWATER BY CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS: EFFECT OF PRE-WETLAND NITRIFICATION-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • PHOSPHORUS DYNAMICS IN A FRESHWATER IN-STREAM WETLAND: EXCHANGE BETWEEN SEDIMENTS AND WATER COLUMN-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • PHOSPHORUS MOVEMENT TO A COASTAL PLAIN BLACK WATER STREAM WAS DECREASED BY A RIPARIAN ZONE-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    NOVAK, J.M., HUNT, P.G., STONE, K.C., WATTS, D.W., JOHNSON, M.H. RIPARIAN ZONE IMPACT ON PHOSPHORUS MOVEMENT TO A COASTAL PLAIN BLACK WATER STREAM. JOURNAL OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION. 2002. V. 57. P. 127-133.
    
  • AMMONIA VOLATILIZATION FROM WETLANDS CONSTRUCTED TO TREAT CONFINED ANIMAL WASTE-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • AN ENCLOSURE SYSTEM TO MEASURE AMMONIA VOLATILIZED FROM CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • PHOSPHORUS INPUT-OUTPUT RELATIONSHIPS FOR TWO COASTAL PLAIN IN-STREAM WETLAND SYSTEMS-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • FLOW-PROPORTIONAL, TIME-COMPOSITED, AND GRAB SAMPLES ESTIMATION OF NITROGENEXPORT FROM AN EASTERN COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • STORM FLOW EXPORT OF METOLACHLOR FROM A COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT OF NUTRIENT REMOVAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CONDITIONS INCONSTRUCTED WETLANDS AT A DISTANT SITE-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • IN-STREAM WETLAND MITIGATION OF NITROGEN CONTAMINATION IN A USA COASTAL PLAIN STREAM-(Proceedings)
    
    
  • IMPACT OF SWINE WASTE APPLICATION ON GROUNDWATER AND STREAM WATER QUALITY IN AN EASTERN COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • PESTICIDE AND METABOLITE OCCURRENCE IN SHALLOW GROUNDWATER OF A COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • IN-STREAM WETLAND MITIGATION OF NITROGEN CONTAMINATION IN A COASTAL PLAIN STREAM-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • FLOW PROPORTIONAL AND TIME COMPOSITE ESTIMATES OF NUTRIENT LOADING FROM AN EASTERN COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Proceedings)
    
    
  • NITROGEN REMOVAL BY TWO SEQUENTIAL IN-STREAM WETLANDS IN A SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • GLEAMS simulation of groundwater nitrate-N from row crop and swine wastewater spray fields in the eastern Coastal Plain-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Johnson, M.H., Coffey, S.W. 1998. GLEAMS simulation of groundwater nitrate-N from row crop and swine wastewater spray fields in the eastern Coastal Plain. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. 41(1):51-57.
    
  • GROUND WATER NITRATE-N CONCENTRATIONS ON A DEMONSTRATION WATERSHED IN THE EASTERN COASTAL PLAINS-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • ASSESSMENT OF PESTICIDE AND METABOLITE OCCURRENCE IN SHALLOW GROUNDWATER OF A COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • EFFECTS OF SUMMER STORM FLOW ON PESTICIDES IN A COASTAL PLAIN STREAM SYSTEM: CONCENTRATIONS AND EXPORTS-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • PESTICIDE OCCURRENCE IN GROUND AND SURFACE WATERS IN A COASTAL PLAIN WATERSHED-(Proceedings)
    
    
  • IMPACT OF NUTRIENTS TO STREAM WATER QUALITY IN A SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL PLAINWATERSHED-(Abstract Only)