Mitchell D. Jans
Mitchell D. Jans

Mitchell D. Jans

Environmental engineer studying how cohesive fine-grained sediments move in aquatic systems.
PhD Candidate · Interfacial Water Group · Princeton University

Advised by Professor Ian Bourg in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.
B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth (2022).
M.A. Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University (2024).

Mineralogical Insights in Soft Geophysical Flows & Sediment Transport

Impact of Clay Minerals on Sediment Gravity Flows

Cohesive sediment gravity flows are important geophysical flows that transport large volumes of sediment in marine and lacustrine environments. Despite their significance as a sediment transport mechanism, the physical processes governing these flows remain poorly understood due to complex mechanical and chemical interactions within clay-rich flows.

This research develops a computational fluid dynamics model to simulate cohesive sediment gravity flows and investigate how sediment properties control flow behavior. The model captures multiple flow regimes and can accurately predict key characteristics such as flow morphology and propagation speed.

Impact of Clay Content on Sediment Bed Erodibility

The erosion of clay-rich sediment beds remains difficult to predict compared to granular sediment beds, which can often be described using the Shields curve and formula. Even small amounts of clay can significantly alter erosion thresholds, causing sediment beds to behave very differently from purely granular systems.

In this work, we collaborate with experimental researchers at the University of Minnesota to develop and validate a computational fluid dynamics model capable of predicting incipient erosion in clay-rich sediment beds. The model is tested across a range of geophysically relevant conditions, including variations in salinity, consolidation state, and sediment permeability.

Water Quality Impacts in Temperate Lakes and Rivers

Historic Water Quality

St. Louis River historical water quality data
Adapted from Jans (2020).

Monitoring Surface Water Quality and Temperature

Ongoing work monitoring surface water quality and temperature dynamics in temperate lake and river systems.

Improving Engineering Insights to Reduce Anthropogenic Impact

Biochar Application to Reduce Methyl Mercury Bioaccumulation

Investigating the use of biochar (activated carbon) as a sediment amendment to reduce methyl mercury bioaccumulation from moderately contaminated sediments.

MeHg concentration data from honors thesis
Adapted from Jans (2022).

Biopolymer Application to Reduce Sediment Erodibility

Viscosity measurements with biopolymer addition

Publications