M.Sc. Aleksandër Peqini
M.Sc. Aleksandër Peqini
Scientific Researcher
Institute of Soil Science and Soil Conservation, iFZ
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32
35392 Gießen, Germany
Room: B 229
Phone: +49(0)641 99 37105
E-Mail: aleksander.peqini
Fields of work
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Occurrence and sediment-water distribution of pollutants under environmental conditions
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Converting agricultural waste into sustainable biochar composites for the efficient removal of inorganic and organic compounds from water
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Modeling of sorption and distribution behavior using adsorption isotherms and regression-based prediction models
Project
- Biochar from organic waste in Albania with special consideration of water treatment - BAAWas (DBU)
Project description BAAWas
Albania, as a candidate for EU membership, is in the process of implementing necessary reforms to align with EU standards. Significant need for action remains, particularly in the areas of waste and circular economy, water quality, and the marketing of food products with minimal residues. Albania is highly exposed to the effects of climate change, making adaptation strategies for water resource management, climate-resilient irrigation, and sustainable intensification of agriculture a priority.
With the restoration and expansion of irrigation systems, irrigation is becoming increasingly important for Albanian agriculture. Contamination of these waters by pathogens and pollutants is likely in Albania due to untreated wastewater discharges or agricultural inputs (including increasing pesticide use), but this has barely been studied so far. The monitoring and improvement of irrigation water quality are the focus of the binational BAAWas project. In collaboration with the Albanian municipality of Belsh, an Albanian NGO, the Agricultural University of Tirana, the Technical University of Central Hesse, and the SME MESOCOSM GmbH, the University of Giessen coordinates the initiative for sustainable purification of agricultural irrigation water using biochar derived from organic waste. Through this participatory approach, both societal and scientific challenges can be addressed, paving the way for practical implementation.
BAAWas pursues the following objectives:
- Raising awareness among the public and agricultural sector regarding the sustainable use of organic waste and the production of biochar derived from it
- Recording pesticide usage in the region of the municipality of Belsh
- Establishing targeted methods for analyzing pesticide residues in water and solid materials
- Optimizing the production and activation of biochar from organic waste for the treatment of irrigation water in agriculture
- Achieving effective sorption of pollutants (e.g. pesticides, heavy metals) onto activated biochar
- Adapting ecotoxicological testing procedures to assess potential effects of using activated biochar for water purification
- Conducting risk assessments for the use of biochar in water treatment
Funding: Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)
CV
- Since 02/2025: Research Associate at the Institute of Soil Science and Soil Conservation, working on the BAAWas project
- 09/2023–03/2024: Erasmus+ PhD student at the Institute of Soil Science and Soil Conservation, working on doctoral research
- Since 05/2023: PhD student at the Institute of Soil Science and Soil Conservation. Dissertation topic: Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Ishmi Basin, Albania: Water Treatment with Low-Cost Composite Materials for Pollutant Removal
- 08/2022–08/2023: Fellow of the CEE Fellowship Program at the Institute of Soil Science and Soil Conservation, funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation
- 2016–2018: Master's degree in Agricultural Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania. Thesis: Considerations for Spatial Planning in a Protected Area with Tourism Potential (Ksamil Peninsula)
- 2013–2016: Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Environmental Engineering and Ecology at the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania
Peer-reviewed publications
- Junck J, Diagboya PD, Peqini A, Rohnke M, Düring R-A, 2024. Mechanistic interpretation of the sorption of terbuthylazine pesticide onto aged microplastics. Environmental Pollution 345, 123502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123502
- Peqini A, Diagboya PD, Brahushi F, Düring R-A, 2025. Enhancing Biosorbent Stability, Performance Efficiency, and Cost-effectiveness: A Ternary Magnetic Composite for Sequestration of Multiple Toxic Metals from Water. Langmuir 2025 41 (23), 15022-15030. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c01248
- Peqini A, Diagboya PD, Brahushi F, Düring R-A, 2025. Sustainable removal of aqueous naproxen using a ternary magneto-biochar-clay composite: Competition with carbamazepine and influence of dissolved organic matter. Chemical Engineering Journal Advances 23, 100784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2025.100784