Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Contamination of groundwater by dissolved metals is an environmental problem of international scale. This research program is focused on assessing the potential for the release of dissolved metals from mine sites and industrial sites, and mitigating releases of these metals that affect the downstream environment. The research program includes three components: detailed site investigations to determine the mechanisms resulting in metal release, transport and attenuation; development of numerical models, incorporating these mechanisms to provide improved predictions of the extent and duration of metal release; and development of new approaches for the remediation of groundwater contaminated by dissolved metals. Detailed site investigations will be conducted at mine sites, where the oxidation of sulfide minerals within mine wastes has the potential to release dissolved metals to groundwater and surface waters. New analytical procedures will be developed to assist in determination of the geochemical and biogeochemical mechanisms resulting in metal release and attenuation. A recently developed numerical model will be modified to include descriptions of those geochemical reactions. Using these models the potential fate of dissolved metals under existing conditions will be predicted. Novel remediation technologies will be developed. The technologies focus on inducing favourable geochemical and biogeochemical reactions within aquifers, or within mine wastes, to prevent the release of dissolved metals to downstream receiving water bodies.