Prof. Dr. Ranka Junge

Management role

Head, Centre Ecological Engineering

Position at the ZHAW

Professor

www.zhaw.ch/iunr/oekotechnologie

Professional development teaching

CAS Süsswasserfische Europas – Ökologie & Management

Expertise and research interests

- Aquaponic (Aquaculture and Hydroponic)
- Macrophyte based wastewater treatment (constructed wetlands)
- Wastewater-fed Aquaculture
- Urban agriculture
- Zero-Emission-Buildings (ZEB)
- Languages: German, Slovenian, English, Italian, Serbo-croatian, French

Educational background

Dr. rer.nat. (limnology, environmental microbiology) (1990, University Konstanz, Germany)
Diploma (biology, plant physiology) (1979, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Professional milestones

since 2007 Professor ZFH, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Waedenswil
2000 – 2007 Dozent, University of Applied Sciences Waedenswil (HSW/ZFH)
1997 - 2000 Senior Scientist, University of applied sciences Waedenswil
1996 – 1999 Research Assistant, University Basel, Natur-, Landschaft-, und Umweltschutz
1993 – 1996 Postdoctoral researcher, University Basel, Zool. Institute

Membership of networks

• IEES International Ecological Engineering Society
• IWA International Water Association
• EAS European Aquaculture Society
• ISHS International Society for Horticultural Science
• COST Action CA17133, Implementing nature based solutions for creating a resourceful circular city, STSM Coordinator, Management Committee Member
• COST Action FA1305, The EU Aquaponics Hub - Realising Sustainable Integrated Fish and Vegetable Production for the EU, Management Committee Member

• Aurora Smart Light System / Project leader / Project ongoing
• Leben im KREIS Haus / Deputy project leader / Project ongoing
• Ecological Engineering Living Lab / Team member / Project ongoing
• LaundReCycle South Africa / Deputy project leader / Project ongoing
• Local Water Loop / Team member / Project completed
• Implementation of aquaponic technology in Kunming, China: Construction of prototype for cultivation of fish and vegetables / Project leader / Project completed
• Aqu@teach: innovative educational tools to promote learning among European / Project leader / Project completed
• Characterization of nitrogen dynamics in an aquaponic system / Project leader / Project completed
• Implementation of aquaponic technology in Romania to benefit health and sustainable livelihood in deprived areas (AQUA-ROM) / Project leader / Project completed
• CTI Gotthard water / Team member / Project completed
• AQUA-SAFE: Enhancing safety and security of Aquaponics technology for fish and vegetable cultivation / Project leader / Project completed
• AQUAVET: Introducing Aquaponic in VET: Tools, Teaching Units and Teacher Training / Project leader / Project completed
• Zero Emission Buildings: Integrating Sustainable Technologies and Infrastructure Systems / Project leader / Project completed

• Milliken, Sarah; Ovca, Andrej; Antenen, Nadine; Villarroel, Morris; Bulc, Tjaša Griessler; Kotzen, Benz; Junge, Ranka,

  2021.

  Aqu@teach : the first aquaponics curriculum to be developed specifically for university students.

  Horticulturae.

  7(2),

  pp.18.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7020018

• Schmautz, Zala; Espinal, Carlos A.; Smits, Theo H. M.; Frossard, Emmanuel; Junge, Ranka,

  2021.

  Nitrogen transformations across compartments of an aquaponic system.

  Aquacultural Engineering.

  92(102145).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2021.102145

• Schmautz, Zala; Espinal, Carlos A.; Bohny, Andrea M.; Rezzonico, Fabio; Junge, Ranka; Frossard, Emmanuel; Smits, Theo H. M.,

  2021.

  Environmental parameters and microbial community profiles as indication towards microbial activities and diversity in aquaponic system compartments.

  BMC Microbiology.

  21(12).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-020-02075-0

• Eck, Mathilde; Sare, Abdoul; Massart, Sébastien; Schmautz, Zala; Junge, Ranka; Smits, Theo H. M.; Jijakli, M.,

  2019.

  Exploring bacterial communities in aquaponic systems.

  Water.

  11(2),

  pp.260.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020260

• Nicoletto, Carlo; Maucieri, Carmelo; Mathis, Alex; Schmautz, Zala; Komives, Tamas; Sambo, Paolo; Junge, Ranka,

  2018.

  Extension of aquaponic water use for NFT baby-leaf production : mizuna and rocket salad.

  Agronomy.

  8(5),

  pp.75.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy8050075

• Nozzi, Valentina; Graber, Andreas; Schmautz, Zala; Mathis, Alex; Junge, Ranka,

  2018.

  Nutrient management in aquaponics : comparison of three approaches for cultivating lettuce, mint and mushroom herb.

  Agronomy.

  8(3),

  pp.27.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy8030027

• Maucieri, Carmelo; Nicoletto, Carlo; Junge, Ranka; Schmautz, Zala; Sambo, Paolo; Borin, Maurizio,

  2018.

  Hydroponic systems and water management in aquaponics : a review.

  Italian Journal of Agronomy.

  13(1/1012).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2018.1012

• König, Bettina; Janker, Judith; Reinhardt, Tilman; Villarroel, Morris; Junge, Ranka,

  2018.

  Analysis of aquaponics as an emerging technological innovation system.

  Journal of Cleaner Production.

  180,

  pp.232-243.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.01.037

• Nicoletto, C.; Maucieri, Carmelo; Schmautz, Zala; Borin, M.; Sambo, P.; Junge, Ranka,

  2018.

  Babyleaf NFT production and water management in aquaponic system.

  Acta Horticulturae.

  ,

  pp.159-164.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1215.30

• Schmautz, Zala; Graber, Andreas; Jaenicke, Sebastian; Goesmann, Alexander; Junge, Ranka; Smits, Theo H. M.,

  2017.

  Microbial diversity in different compartments of an aquaponics system.

  Archives of Microbiology.

  199(4),

  pp.613-620.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-016-1334-1

• Koller, Christoph; Talmon-Gros, Max; Junge, Ranka; Schuetze, Thorsten,

  2017.

  Energy toolbox : framework for the development of a tool for the primary design of zero emission buildings in european and asian cities.

  Sustainability.

  9(12).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/su9122244

• Maucieri, Carmelo; Nicoletto, Carlo; Schmautz, Zala; Sambo, Paolo; Komives, Tamas; Borin, Maurizio; Junge, Ranka,

  2017.

  Vegetable intercropping in a small-scale aquaponic system.

  Agronomy.

  7(4),

  pp.63.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy7040063

• Pietsch-Schmied, Constanze; Junge, Ranka,

  2016.

  Physiological responses of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to dietary exposure to zearalenone (ZEN).

  Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology.

  188,

  pp.52-59.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2016.06.004

• Bühler, Devi; Junge, Ranka,

  2016.

  Global trends and current status of commercial urban rooftop farming.

  Sustainability.

  8(11),

  pp.1108.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/su8111108

• Bittsánszky, András; Uzinger, Nikolett; Gyulai, Gábor; Mathis, Alex; Junge, Ranka; Villarroel, Morris; Kotzen, Benzion; Komives, Tamas,

  2016.

  Nutrient supply of plants in aquaponic systems.

  Ecocycles.

  2(2),

  pp.17-20.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.19040/ecocycles.v2i2.57

• König, Bettina; Junge, Ranka; Bittsánszky, András; Villaroel, Morris; Komives, Tamas,

  2016.

  On the sustainability of aquaponics.

  Ecocycles.

  2(1),

  pp.26-32.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.19040/ecocycles.v2i1.50

• Sirakov, Ivaylo Nikolaev; Lutz, Matthias; Graber, Andreas; Mathis, Alex; Staykov, Yordan; Smits, Theo H. M.; Junge, Ranka,

  2016.

  Potential for combined biocontrol activity against fungal fish and plant pathogens by bacterial isolates from a model aquaponic system.

  Water.

  8(11).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/w8110518

• Villarroel, Morris; Junge, Ranka; Komives, Tamas; König, Bettina; Plaza, Ignacio; Bittsánszky, András; Joly, Agnès,

  2016.

  Survey of aquaponics in europe.

  Water.

  8(10).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/w8100468

• Goddek, Simon; Schmautz, Zala; Scott, Benjamin; Delaide, Boris; Keesman, Karel J.; Wuertz, Sven; Junge, Ranka,

  2016.

  The effect of anaerobic and aerobic fish sludge supernatant on hydroponic lettuce.

  Agronomy.

  6(2).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy6020037

• Schmautz, Zala; Loeu, Fionna; Liebisch, Frank; Graber, Andreas; Mathis, Alex; Griessler Bulc, Tjasa; Junge, Ranka,

  2016.

  Tomato productivity and quality in aquaponics : comparison of three hydroponic methods.

  Water.

  8(11).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/w8110533

• Joly, Agnes; Junge, Ranka; Bardocz, Tamas,

  2015.

  Aquaponics business in Europe : some legal obstacles and solutions.

  Ecocycles.

  1(2),

  pp.3-5.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.19040/ecocycles.v1i2.30

• Pietsch-Schmied, Constanze; Kersten, Susanne; Valenta, Hana; Dänicke, Sven; Schulz, Carsten; Burkhardt-Holm, Patricia; Junge, Ranka,

  2015.

  Effects of dietary exposure to zearalenone (ZEN) on carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

  Toxins.

  7(9),

  pp.3465-3480.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins7093465

• Pietsch-Schmied, Constanze; Junge, Ranka; Burkhardt-Holm, Patricia,

  2015.

  Immunomodulation by zearalenone in carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

  BioMed Research International.

  2015(420702).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/420702

• Komives, Tamas; Junge, Ranka,

  2015.

  On the aquaponic corner section of our journal : editorial.

  Ecocycles.

  1(2),

  pp.1-2.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.19040/ecocycles.v1i2.31

• Escala, Marina; Zumbühl, Thomas; Koller, Christoph; Junge, Ranka; Krebs, Rolf,

  2013.

  Hydrothermal carbonization as an energy-efficient alternative to established drying technologies for sewage sludge : a feasibility study on a laboratory scale.

  Energy & Fuels.

  27(1),

  pp.454-460.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1021/ef3015266

• Escala, Marina; Graber, Andreas; Junge, Ranka; Koller, Christoph; Guiné, V.; Krebs, Rolf,

  2013.

  Hydrothermal carbonization of organic material with low dry matter content : the example of waste whey.

  Journal of Residuals Science & Technology.

  10(4),

  pp.179-186.

  Available from: http://www.dpi-journals.com/index.php/JRST/article/view/1941

• Graber, Andreas; Junge, Ranka,

  2009.

  Aquaponic systems : nutrient recycling from fish wastewater by vegetable production.

  Desalination.

  246(1-3),

  pp.147-156.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2008.03.048

• Graber, Andreas; Skvarc, Robert; Junge-Berberović, Ranka,

  2009.

  Elimination of phenols, ammonia and cyanide in wash water from biomass gasification, and nitrogen recycling using planted trickling filters.

  Water Science and Technology.

  60(12),

  pp.3253-3259.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2009.728

• Junge-Berberovic, Ranka; Graber, Andreas,

  2004.

  Wastewater treatment in the urban environment.

  Acta Horticulturae.

  643,

  pp.249-255.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.643.32

• Staudenmann, Jürg; Junge-Berberović, Ranka,

  2003.

  The Otelfingen aquaculture project : recycling of nutrients from waste water in a temperate climate.

  Journal of Applied Aquaculture.

  13(1-2),

  pp.67-101.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1300/J028v13n01_04

• Graber, Andreas; Junge, Ranka,

  2008.

  Wastewater-fed aquaculture Otelfingen, Switzerland : influence of system design and operation parameters on the efficiency of nutrient incorporation into plant biomass

  .

  In:

  Vymazal, Jan, ed.,

  Wastewater treatment, plant dynamics and management in constructed and natural wetlands.

  Dordrecht:

  Springer.

  pp.299-310.

• Bühler, Devi; Schuetze, Thorsten; Junge, Ranka,

  2015.

  Towards development of a label for zero emission buildings : a tool to evaluate potential zero emission buildings [paper].

  In:

  Rosen, Marc A., ed.,

  Special Issue "Towards Sustainability: Selected Papers from the Fourth World Sustainability Forum (2014)".

  The 4th World Sustainability Forum, Electronic Conference at sciforum.net/conference/wsf-4, 1-30 November 2014.

  MDPI.

  pp.5071-5093.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/su7055071

• Bühler, Devi; Junge, Ranka; Schütze, Thorsten,

  2014.

  Towards development of a label for zero emission buildings : a tool to evaluate potential zero emission buildings [paper].

  In:

  Proceedings of the 4th world sustainability forum.

  The 4th World Sustainability Forum, Electronic Conference at sciforum.net/conference/wsf-4, 1-30 November 2014.

  MDPI.

  Sciforum Electronic Conference Series ; 4.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/wsf-4-a001

• Junge-Berberović, Ranka; Bächtiger, Jean-Bernard; Simpson, W. J., eds.,

  2004.

  Proceedings of the international conference on urban horticulture.

  International Conference on Urban Horticulture, Wädenswil, 2-6 September 2002.

  Leuven:

  International Society for Horticultural Science.

  Acta Horticulturae ; 643.

  ISBN 978-90-66055-17-9.

• Gartmann, Florentina; Schmautz, Zala; Junge, Ranka,

  2019.

  Influence of pH change on the phosphorus cycle in aquaponics [poster].

  In:

  9th International Phosphorus Workshop (IPW9), Zurich, 8-12 July 2019.

  ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-18461

• Schmautz, Zala; Junge, Ranka,

  2015.

  Acvaponia în lume : aquaponic systems around the world.

  Revistă Română de Acvaponie.

  1(1),

  pp.12-15.

• Junge, Ranka; Wilhelm, Sandra; Hofstetter, Urs,

  2014.

  Aquaponic in classrooms as a tool to promote system thinking [paper].

  In:

  Maček, Melita Ana; Maček Jerala, Milena; Kolenc Artiček, Majda, eds.,

  Prenos inovacij, znanja in izkušenj v vsakdanjo rabo = transmission of innovations, knowledge and practical experience into everyday practice.

  3rd Conference with International Participation - Conference VIVUS, Conference on Agriculture, Environmentalism, Horticulture, Floristics, Food Production and Processing, Strahinj, Naklo, Slovenia, 14–15 November 2014.

  Strahinj:

  Biotehniški center Naklo.

  pp.234-244.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4300

• Podgrajsek, Barbara; Schmautz, Zala; Krivograd Klemenčič, Aleksandra; Jarni, Klara; Junge, Ranka; Griessler Bulc, Tjasa,

  2014.

  Preliminarni monitoring akvaponicnega sistema v biotehniskem centru Naklo.

  Moje podeželje.

  5(9),

  pp.10-11.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4982

• Graber, Andreas; Antenen, Nadine; Junge, Ranka,

  2014.

  The multifunctional aquaponic system at ZHAW used as research and training lab [paper].

  In:

  Maček, Melita Ana; Maček Jerala, Milena; Kolenc Artiček, Majda, eds.,

  Prenos inovacij, znanja in izkušenj v vsakdanjo rabo : zbornik izvlečkov = transmission of innovations, knowledge and practical experience into everyday practice : book of abstracts.

  3rd Conference VIVUS, Conference on Agriculture, Environmentalism, Horticulture, Floristics, Food Production and Processing, Strahinj, Slovenia, 14–15 November 2014.

  Strahinj:

  Biotehniški center Naklo.

  pp.245-255.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-1613

• Junge, Ranka; Graber, Andreas,

  2014.

  The potential of aquaponics for food production in the cities of the future.

  Ljubljana:

  University of Ljubljana.

• Junge, Ranka,

  2014.

  Transfer of innovation to agricultural sector : example of ZHAW, Institute for Natural Resource Sciences [paper].

  In:

  Maček, Melita Ana; Maček Jerala, Jerala; Kolenc Artiček, Majda, eds.,

  Prenos inovacij, znanja in izkušenj v vsakdanjo rabo : zbornik izvlečkov / transmission of innovations, knowledge and practical experience into everyday practice : book of abstracts.

  3. Conference VIVUS: Conference on agriculture, environmentalism, horticulture, floristics, food production and processing: "Transmission of Innovations, Knowledge and Practical Experience into Everyday Practice", Strahinj, Slovenia, 14–15 November 2014.

  Strahinj:

  Biotehniški center Naklo.

  pp.10.

• Hodgson, Petra; Junge, Ranka,

  2013.

  Null-Energie-Null-Emissions-Häuser in Südkorea : fünf Pilotprojekte aus der Metropolregion Seoul.

  IUNR intern.

  2013(1),

  pp.27-29.

• Graber, Andreas; Leiblein, Thomas; Refardt, Dominik; Junge, Ranka,

  2013.

  Potential of algae turf scrubbers (ATS™) for elimination of phosphorus from swimming ponds [paper].

  In:

  Borin, Maurizio; Malagoli, Mario; Salvato, Michela; Tanis, Benek, eds.,

  Wetland Systems Ecology, Functioning and Management.

  8th Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) European Chapter International Conference, Padova, Italy, 1-4 September 2013.

  Padova:

  P.A.N..

  pp.29-30.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-1612

• Graber, Andreas; Schönborn, Andreas; Junge-Berberović, Ranka,

  2011.

  Closing water, nutrient and energy cycles within cities by urban farms for fish and vegetable production.

  IWA Specialist Group on Use of Macrophytes in Water Pollution Control: Newsletter.

  2011(37),

  pp.37-41.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-1619

• Somprasert, Somanat; Junge-Berberović, Ranka; Kantawanichkul, Suwasa,

  2007.

  Effect of plant harvesting on nitrogen removal in constructed wetland systems [paper].

  In:

  Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering and Environment - ICEE 2007.

  International Conference on Engineering and Environment - ICEE 2007, Phuket, Thailand, 10-11 May 2007.

  ICEE.

  pp.80-83.

• Graber, Andreas; Junge, Ranka,

  2005.

  Forschungsprojekt Algenrasenfilter.

  Umwelt Perspektiven.

  2005,

  pp.43-47.

• Junge, Ranka; Bächtiger, Jean-Bernard,

  2003.

  The first international conference on urban horticulture.

  Chronica Horticulturae.

  43(1),

  pp.24-26.

• Junge, Ranka; Graber, Andreas,

  2001.

  Naturnah klären.

  Baubiologie Magazin.

  3,

  pp.27-30.

• Junge-Berberović, Ranka,

  2001.

  Possibilities and limits of wastewater-fed aquacultures [paper].

  In:

  Werner, Christine, ed.,

  Ecosan – closing the loop in wastewater management and sanitation : Proceedings of the International Symposium, 30–31 October 2000, Bonn, Germany.

  International Symposium Ecological Sanitation: Ecosan - Closing the Loop in Wastewater Management and Sanitation, Bonn, Germany, 30-31 October 2000.

  Eschborn:

  Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit.

  pp.113-122.

• Graber, Andreas; Junge, Ranka; Mathis, Alex,

  2000.

  Aquakultur Otelfingen : eine biologische Kläranlage zur Produktion von Biomasse.

  Der Gemüsebau.

  7(7),

  pp.4-5.

• Staudenmann, Jürg; Junge-Berberović, Ranka,

  2000.

  Treating biogas plant effluent through aquaculture : first results and experiences from the pilot plant Otelfingen (Switzerland)

  .

  In:

  Jana, B. B.; Banerjee, R. D.; Guterstam, B.; Heeb, J., eds.,

  Waste recycling and resource management in the developing world : ecological engineering approach.

  Kalyani:

  University of Kalyani.

  pp.51-57.

• Bühler, Devi; Antenen, Nadine; Frei, Matthias; Koller, Christoph; Junge, Ranka,

  2020.

  Towards water and energy self-sufficiency : a closed-loop, low-tech laundry pilot facility (LaundReCycle) for the reuse of laundry wastewater.

  In:

  Closed Cycles and the Circular Society : The Power of Ecological Engineering, Online, 2-4 September 2020.

  Available from: https://closedcycles2020.ch

• Junge, Ranka; Wilhelm, Sandra; Hofstetter, Urs; Graber, Andreas,

  2014.

  Aquaponics in classrooms as a tool to promote system thinking.

  In:

  2nd SCIENTIX Conference, Brussels, Belgium, 24-26 October 2014.

• Junge, Ranka; Mathis, Alex; Graber, Andreas,

  2014.

  Building integrated food production.

  In:

  1st Symposium on Green Infrastructure for Future City & 4th International Symposium ZEBISTIS: Zero Emission Building - Integrating Sustainable Technologies and Infrastructure Systems, Seoul, Korea, 8 April 2014.

• Graber, Andreas; Durno, Mark; Gaus, Roman; Mathis, Alex; Junge, Ranka,

  2014.

  UF001 LokDepot, Basel : the first commercial rooftop aquaponic farm in Switzerland.

  In:

  2014 International Conference on Vertical Farming and Urban Agriculture VFUA 2014, Nottingham, UK, 9-10 September 2014.

• Junge, Ranka,

  2013.

  Development of aquaponic technology in Switzerland.

  In:

  1st International Symposium - Zero Emission Buildings, Seoul, South Korea, 15 January 2013.

• Junge, Ranka,

  2013.

  Integrating aquaponic technology into the cities.

  In:

  3rd International ZEBISTIS Symposium «Theoretical and Practical Concepts for Sustainable Buildings and Interactions», Istanbul, Turkey, 24 October 2013.

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