Prof. Dr. Eckard Helmers

Education

1980-1987
studies of biology and chemistry at Universities of Oldenburg and Göttingen

1987
diploma degree in chemistry at University of Göttingen (MS Sc. eq.)

1988-1992
Dissertation / Ph.D. at Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar- and Marine Research (Bremerhaven) in Analytical Chemistry / Marine Chemistry

Professional work

1986-1987
Research associate at Institute for Inorganic Chemistry/University of Göttingen

1988-1992
Research associate at Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany / Participation in/head of scientific marine expeditions

1992-1998
Head of analytical dep. / Environmental protection agency Stuttgart, Germany

1998
Assistant Prof. at University of Bremen, Germany

>1998
Prof. for Analytical Chemistry at Environment Campus Birkenfeld, Germany

see also Google scholar profile

arranged according to topics  (conference contributions not considered)

*) peer reviewed

University sustainability & Carbon footprinting

*E. Helmers, C. C. Chang, J. Dauwels (2022)
Carbon Footprinting of Universities Worldwide. Part II: First quantification of complete embodied impacts of two campuses in Germany and Singapore.
Sustainability 14: 3865 https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073865

*E. Helmers, C. C. Chang, J. Dauwels (2021)
Carbon Footprinting of Universities Worldwide. Part I: Objective comparison by standardized metrics. Environmental Sciences Europe 33:30
https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-021-00454-6

*E. Helmers, F. Ilchmann (2019)
Sustainability Subjects in University Education - Development of a Comprehensive Indicator System and Quantitative Analysis of  Degree Programs at German Universities. European  Journal  of  Sust. Development  Res. 3(4), em0092, pp 1-17. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/5771
 

Traffic emissions/sustainable mobility/climate change mitigation

E. Helmers (2022)
The Energy and Emissions Case and the Lifecycle Impact of Electric Cars.
In: Electrifying Mobility: Realising a Sustainable Future for the Car. G. Parkhurst & W. Clayton (Eds.)., Emerald Publishing, UK. pp. 33 – 52.

*M. Weiss, K. C. Cloos, E. Helmers (2020)
Energy efficiency trade -offs in small to large electric vehicles. Environmental Sciences Europe 32:46
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340002943_Energy_efficiency_trade-offs_in_small_to_large_electric_vehicles

*E. Helmers, J. Dietz, M. Weiss (2020)
Sensitivity Analysis in the Life-Cycle Assessment of Electric vs. Combustion Engine Cars under Approximate Real-World Conditions. Sustainability MDPI 12: 1241.
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/3/1241/pdf

*M. Weiss, L. Irrgang, A. Kiefer, J. Roth, E. Helmers  (2020)
Mass- and power-related efficiency trade-offs and CO₂ emissions of compact passenger cars. Journal of Cleaner Production 243: 118326
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118326

*M. Kalverkamp, E. Helmers, A. Pehlken (2020)
Impacts of Life Cycle Inventory Databases on Life Cycle Assessments: A review by means of a drivetrain case study. Journal of Cleaner Production 269: 121329
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121329

*M. Weiss, A. Zerfass, E. Helmers  (2019)
Declining prices for fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars - An assessment of learning rates, user costs, and the costs for mitigating CO₂ and air pollutant emissions. Journal of Cleaner Production 212: 1478-1489 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.019

*E. Helmers, J. Leitao, U. Tietge, T. Butler (2019)
CO₂-equivalent emissions from European passenger vehicles in the years 1995–2015 based on real-world use: Assessing the climate benefit of the European “diesel boom”. Atmos. Environ. 198: 122–132. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231018307295?via%3Dihub#!

*J. Pinto, O. Mistage, P. Bilotta, E. Helmers (2018)
Road-rail intermodal freight transport as a strategy for climate change mitigation.         
Environmental Development 25: 100-110 www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211464517300428

*S. Sgouridis, E. Helmers, M. Al Hadhrami (2017)
Light-duty electric vehicles in the Gulf. Techno-economic assessment and policy implications.
Int. Journal of Sustainable Transportation, pp 1-15
doi.org/10.1080/15568318.2017.1332256

*E. Helmers, M. Weiss (2017)
Advances and critical aspects in the life-cycle assessment of battery-electric cars (review). Energy and Emission Control Technologies, Vol. 5, pp 1—18
www.dovepress.com/getfile.php
 
*E.  Helmers, J. Dietz, S. Hartard (2017)
Electric Car Life Cycle Assessment Based on Real-world Mileage and the Electric Conversion Scenario. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. Published online 7-2015, printed Vol. 22 (1), pp 15–30
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11367-015-0934-3
 
*A. Moro, E. Helmers (2017)
A new hybrid method reducing the gap between WTW and LCA in the carbon footprint assessment of electric vehicles. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. Published online 9-2015, printed Vol. 22 (1), pp 4–14
link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11367-015-0954-z
 
E. Helmers (2015)
Possible Resource Restrictions for the Future Large-Scale Production of Electric Cars. Springer Int. Publ. In: S. Hartard, W. Liebert (eds.), Competition and Conflicts on Resource Use, Natural Resource Management and Policy 46, pp 121-131

*M. Cames, E. Helmers (2013)
Critical evaluation of the European diesel car boom - global comparison, environmental effects and various national strategies.
Environmental Sciences Europe (ESEU) 25:15 (22 pages);
https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/2190-4715-25-15

*E. Helmers, P. Marx (2012)
Electric cars: technical characteristics and environmental impacts.
Environmental Sciences Europe (ESEU) 24: 14 (15 pages);
https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/2190-4715-24-14
Reprinted in:Transportation and the Environment - Assessments and Sustainability (Ed. G. Ionescu), 2016, CRC Press, Chapter 9, pp 207-242

*E. Helmers (2010)
Assessment of the environmental sustainability of modern vehicle drives - on the way from the Diesel car boom towards electric vehicles (in German)
Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 22: 564-578
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12302-010-0158-x

E. Helmers (2010)
Research is accompanying the electric car on the way to the market (in German).
Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 22: 736-737

E. Helmers (2009)
The car of the future (in German)
204 pp. Wiley-VCH

*E. Helmers (2009)
Quantification of fine dust emission, emission thresholds, NOx, related toxicology and Low Emission Zones (in German)
Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 21: 118-123
https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1007/s12302-008-0026-0

*E. Helmers (2006)
The costs of the Dieselboom - overview (in German)
UWSF - Z. Umweltchem Ökotox 18(1) 30-36
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1065%2Fuwsf2006.01.115

E. Helmers (2006)
Background of the diesel car boom - consequences of a 'CO2-First'-politics (in German)
UWSF - Z. Umweltchem Ökotox 18(1) 3-4

 

Platinum group elements (PGE) in the environment

E. Helmers, K. Kümmerer (2000)
Sources and Sinks of Anthropogenic Platinum Fluxes
In: Anthropogenic Platinum group elements emissions (Ed: F. Zereini, F. Alt)
Springer publ., Berlin, pp. 15-24

E. Helmers (2000)
PGE emissions of automobile catalysts - identifying their track in the environment. A challenge to analytical strategy and assessment
In: Anthropogenic Platinum group elements emissions (Ed: F. Zereini, F. Alt)
Springer publ., Berlin, pp. 133-144

*K. Kümmerer, E. Helmers, P. Hubner, G. Mascart, M. Milandri, F. Rheinthaler, M. Zwakenberg (1999)
European hospitals as a source for platinum in comparison with other sources
Science of the Total Environment 225: 155-165

*E. Helmers, K. Kümmerer (1999)
Anthropogenic platinum fluxes: quantification of sources and sinks, and outlook
ESPR - Environ. Sci. Poll. Res. 6(1): 29-36

*E. Helmers, M. Schwarzer, M. Schuster (1998)
Comparison of Palladium and Platinum in environmental matrices:
Palladium pollution by automobile emissions?
Environ. Sci. Poll. Res. 5(1): 44-50

*E. Helmers, N. Mergel (1998)
Platinum and rhodium in the polluted environment:
studying the emissions of automobile catalysts. With emphasis on the application of CSV rhodium analysis
Fres. J. Anal. Chem. 362: 522-528

*T. Hees, B. Wenclawiak, S. Lustig, P. Schramel, M. Schwarzer, M. Schuster, D. Verstraete, R. Dams, E. Helmers (1998)
Distribution of platinum group elements (Pt, Pd, Rh) in environmental and clinical matrices:
composition, analytical techniques and scientific outlook (a review)
Environ. Sci. Poll. Res. 5(2): 105-111

*K. Kümmerer, E. Helmers (1997)
Hospital effluents as a source for platinum in the environment
The Science of the Tot. Environ. 193: 179-184

*E. Helmers (1997)
Platinum emission rate of automobiles with catalytic converters
- comparison and assessment of results from different approaches
Environ. Sci. Poll. Res. 4(2): 100-103

*E. Helmers, N. Mergel (1997)
Platin in belasteten Gräsern. Anstieg der Emissionen aus PKW-Abgaskatalysatoren:
Erster Trend aus direkten Umweltmessungen
UWSF - Z. Umweltchem. Ökotox. 9(3): 147-148

*S. Lustig, R. Schierl, F. Alt, E. Helmers, K. Kümmerer (1997)
Deposition, Verteilung sowie Bedeutung von Platin für den Menschen und sein Nahrungsnetz: Stand und Forschungsbedarf.
UWSF - Z. Umweltchem. Ökotox. 9(3): 149-152

*F. Zereini, B. Skerstupp, F. Alt, E. Helmers, H. Urban (1997)
Geochemical behaviour of platinum-group elements in particulate emissions by automobile exhaust catalysts: experimental results and environmental investigations
Science of the Total Environment, 206: 137-146

*E. Helmers (1996)
Elements accompanying platinum emitted from automobile catalysts
Chemosphere 33(1): 405-419

*E. Helmers, N. Mergel, R. Barchet (1994)
Platin in Klärschlammasche und an Gräsern
UWSF - Z. Umweltchem. Ökotox. 6(3): 130-134
 

Trace elements in the environment (other than PGE)

*K. Kümmerer, E. Helmers (2000)
Hospital effluents as a source for gadolinium in the aquatic environment
Environmental Science and Technology, 34:573-577

*E. Helmers, G. Wilk, K. Wippler (1995)
Lead in the urban environment - studying the strong decline in Germany
Chemosphere 30 (1): 89-101

Trace elements in seawater (RV Polarstern expditions)

*M. Rutgers v.d. Loeff, E. Helmers, G. Kattner (1997)
Continuous transects of Cd, Cu and Al in surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean (50°N to 50°S):
Correspondence and contrast with nutrient-like behaviour
Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta 61(1): 47-61

*E. Helmers (1996)
Trace metals in suspended particulate matter of Atlantic Ocean surface water (40°N to 20°S)
Mar. Chem. 53 (1/2): 51-67

*E. Helmers, M. Rutgers v.d. Loeff (1993)
Lead and Aluminium in Atlantic surface waters (50°N to 50°S) reflecting anthropogenic and natural sources in the eolian transport
J. Geophys. Res. 98(C11): 20261-20273

*E. Helmers, L. Mart, O. Schrems (1991)
Lead in Atlantic surface waters as a tracer for atmospheric input
Fres. Z. Anal. Chem. 340: 580-584

*E. Helmers, L. Mart, M. Schulz-Baldes, W. Ernst (1990)
Temporal and spatial variations of lead concentrations in Atlantic surface waters
Mar. Poll. Bull. 21 (11): 515-518

Toxicology

*S. Buchinger, E. Campen, E. Helmers, V. Morosow, M. Krefft, G. Reifferscheid (2009)
Development of a freeze drying protocol for the long-term storage of S9-fraction at ambient temperatures. Cryobiology Apr; 58(2):139-44

*I. Müller, E. Helmers, et al. (1994)
Cadmium concentration in the renal cortex of kidney tumor patients and controls
J. Trace Elem. Electrolytes Health Dis. 8: 173-176

R. Barchet, K. Harzer, E. Helmers, K. Wippler (1994)
An Arsenic Overdose in a child
Bull. of the Int. Ass. of Forensic Toxicologists 25 (1): 37-39

Analysis and modelling of atmospheric trace elements

*E. Helmers, O. Schrems (1995)
Wet deposition of metals to the tropical North and the South Atlantic Ocean
Atmos. Environ. 29 (18): 2475-2484

Analytical sampling strategies

E. Helmers (2013)
Quantification of trace elements in the environment (in German).
In: Umweltinformationssysteme (Ed. P. Fischer-Stabel), H. Wichmann publ., book chapter, pp. 40-57

E. Helmers (2005)
Laboratory data generation (in German).
In: Umweltinformationssysteme (Ed. P. Fischer-Stabel), H. Wichmann publ., book chapter, pp. 34-50

E. Helmers (1997)
Sampling of sea and fresh water for the analysis of trace elements
In: Sampling and Decomposition (Ed. M. Stoeppler), Springer-Verlag, S. 26-42

U. Osberhaus, E. Helmers (1997)
Waste
In: Sampling and Decomposition (Ed. M. Stoeppler), Springer-Verlag, S. 57-73

E. Helmers, M. Schulz-Baldes (1992)
Enrichment of suspended particulate matter by continuous centrifugation of surface waters (in German)
Labor 2000: 6-10
 

Materials analysis

E. Helmers (1998)
Nickel emission of water boilers into drinking water (in German).
Dt. Lebensm.-Rundsch. 94(2): 50-52

Wastewater treatment

E. Helmers, K. Wippler (1999)
Elemental concentrations in sewage sludge ashes (1972 – 1994) reflecting environmental trends and sewage purification technology changes (in German).  Vom Wasser 92: 155-176

Further

E. Helmers, M. Hesse und U. Klingebiel (1988)
Chlor-Fluor-Austausch an halogenierten 1,3-Disilazanen.
Z. anorg. allg. Chem, 565 (1988) 81-90

Global Climate Change/Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics

lecture (IMAT MS)

Sustainable Mobility (lectures)

Sustainability (history, definition), transformation, life cycle assessment (lectures)

General Chemistry (lecture and lab work)

Chemistry of the elements, Environmental Chemistry (lecture and seminar)

Organic environmental chemistry (lecture)

(Eco-)Toxicology (lecture/seminar)

Methods and strategies of Instrumental analysis/Analytical Chemistry

lecture