... was Professor at Trier University of Applied Sciences 1998 - 2025. He was teaching mainly chemistry subjects, with emphasis on environmental chemistry. As an analytical chemist he is interested in pollution impact evaluation of all environmental matrices including toxicological aspects, having published some 80 scientific papers. He is also co-editor of the scientific journal Environmental Science & Pollution Research, now Environmental Sciences Europe, since 1999. As well he is a member of the Boards for 'Sustainable Engineering and Science' of the journal Sustainability MDPI, of the boards for “Frontiers in FutureTransportation – transportation emissions”, and for "Highlights of Sustainability“.
Initially coming from the field of marine sciences, where he received his PhD, he has been conducting research on automobile emissions for over 25 years. Particularly, he has been publishing on the environmental impact of the European diesel car boom since 2006. He was engaged in research projects in co-operation with the EU commission's Joint Research Center.
As a director of IfaS (Institute for Applied Material Flow Research) he was co-heading the Department for Sustainable Mobility where he initiated the conversion of combustion engine cars to electric cars, accompanied by a life cycle assessment exhibiting that “eConversion” can ensure a minimum environmental impact of individual mobility by automobiles.
At his university department, the Faculty for Environmental Technology and Planning, he was particularly engaged in internationalization, initiating exchanges with university partners abroad since 1998. He has been a visiting professor and scientist at universities in Singapore, USA, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Luxembourg and Croatia, and was engaged in several international graduate teaching projects at Environment campus Birkenfeld.
Education
1980-1987
studies of biology (BA Sc. eq.) and chemistry at Universities of Oldenburg and Göttingen (Germany)
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 - 2025
Full Prof. for Analytical Chemistry at Environment Campus Birkenfeld, Germany
siehe auch Google Scholar Profil
organised by subject area (without conference publications)
*) peer reviewed
University sustainability & Carbon footprinting
*E. Helmers (2024)
Carbon Footprinting of Universities Worldwide Part III: Do’s and Don’ts in Climate Impact Assessment of University Campuses - Towards Responsible, Transparent and Comprehensive Reporting.
Sustainability MDPI 16(21): 9320 https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219320
*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
Transportation emissions - sustainable mobility
*H.K. Suberi, E. Helmers, M. Asif, T. Bin Nadeem (2025)
Surface transport emission reduction strategy in Bhutan.
AIP Advances 15: 025036. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0231197
*M. Weiss, T. Winbush, A. Newman, E. Helmers (2024)
Energy Consumption of Electric Vehicles in Europe.
Sustainability MDPI 16(17): 7529. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177529
*C. Baumgartner, E. Helmers (2024)
Life cycle assessment of electric kick scooters: consolidating environmental impact quantification and concluding climate-friendly use options.
Environmental Sciences Europe (2024) 36:96. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-00920-x
*R. Smit, E. Helmers, M. Schwingshackl, M. Opetnik, D. Kennedy (2024).
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance of Electric, Hydrogen and Fossil-Fuelled Freight Trucks with Uncertainty Estimates Using a Probabilistic Lyfe-Cycle Assessment (pLCA).
Sustainability MDPI 16 (2) 1-38. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/2/762
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
http://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
http://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)
Bewertung der Umwelteffizienz moderner Autoantriebe - auf dem Weg vom Diesel-PKW-Boom zu Elektroautos
Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 22: 564-578
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12302-010-0158-x
E. Helmers (2010)
Forschung begleitet das Elektroauto auf dem Weg in den Markt
UWSF - Z Umweltchem Ökotox 22: 736-737
E. Helmers (2009)
Das Auto der Zukunft
204 Seiten. Wiley-VCH
*E. Helmers (2009)
Partikelmessungen, Abgasgrenzwerte, Stickoxide, Toxikologie und Umweltzonen.
UWSF - Z Umweltchem Ökotox 21: 118-123
https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1007/s12302-008-0026-0
*E. Helmers (2006)
Die Kosten des Dieselbooms - eine Übersicht.
UWSF - Z. Umweltchem Ökotox 18(1) 30-36
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1065%2Fuwsf2006.01.115
E. Helmers (2006)
Hintergründe des Dieselbooms - Folgen einer 'CO2-First'-Politik.
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
*E. Helmers, K. Kümmerer (1999)
Anthropogenic platinum fluxes: quantification of sources and sinks, and outlook
ESPR - Environ. Sci. Poll. Res. 6(1): 29-36
*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, 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 (research vessel Polarstern expeditions)
*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 (1994)
Speciation of cadmium in seawater - a direct voltammetric approach
Fres. Z. Anal. Chem. 350: 62-67
*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 & 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 technologies
E. Helmers (2013)
Bestimmung von Spurenstoffen in der Umwelt
In: Umweltinformationssysteme (Ed. P. Fischer-Stabel), H. Wichmann publ., pp. 40-57
E. Helmers (2005)
Entstehung von Labordaten
In: Umweltinformationssysteme (Ed. P. Fischer-Stabel), H. Wichmann Verlag, S. 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)
Schwebstoffanreicherung durch kontinuierliche Zentrifugation von Oberflächenwasser
Labor 2000: 6-10
Material analysis
E. Helmers (1998)
Nickeleintrag aus Wasserkochern ins Trinkwasser
Dt. Lebensm.-Rundsch. 94(2): 50-52
sewage treatment technology
E. Helmers, K. Wippler (1999)
Elementgehalte von Klärschlammaschen 1972-1994:
Trends bei Umwelteinträgen und Klärtechnik
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)
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)
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