Group Biography
The Groundwater Geochemistry and Remediation Group (GGR) at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ,Ìýled by David Blowes and Carol Ptacek,Ìýis committed to advancing the understanding of the fate, transport and remediation of contaminants including metals, metalloids, pathogens, nutrients and emerging contaminants in groundwater. This research includes detailed field investigations, laboratory studies, development of reactive barriers and other passive remedial solutions, application of non-traditional isotope techniques and development of mathematical models to predict the complex geochemical behaviour of these systems.
We have conducted studies at mine sites, mine-waste disposal facilities, wetlands, on-site sewage disposal systems and other industrial sites. Laboratory studies often focus on reaction mechanisms utilizing batch and column experiments. Mathematical modeling has focused on the development of fully-coupled reactive transport codes that can account for thermodynamic and kinetic controls on chemical reactions between groundwater and the aquifer material. Remediation research is focused on the development of passive, in situ, methods including permeable reactive barriers.
NSERCÌýToward Environmentally Responsible Resource Extraction Network (NSERC-TERRE-NET)
The , led by David Blowes,Ìýis currently recruiting undergraduate co-op, MSc and PhD students, and Post-doctoral Fellows for exciting field, laboratory, and modelling research projects made available through this recently-awarded NSERC Strategic Partnership Grants for Networks program. NSERC-TERRE-NET is a multi-institutional and multi- and trans-disciplinary research Network comprised of 15 co-investigatorsÌýfrom 7 universities across Canada, with the overarching goal of ensuring the:
Environmentally responsible, socially acceptable extraction of mineral and energy resources using cutting-edge approaches and technologies.
This initiativeÌýis supported by numerousÌýpartner organizations,Ìýas well as Canadian and international research collaborators. Qualified candidates with backgrounds in geochemistry, hydrogeology, mineralogy, reactive transport modelling, and/or environmental microbiology are invited to contact David WilsonÌýto inquire about available projects.
News
News Release: Canadian Light Source, Organic Material can convert Toxic Heavy Metal to Harmless Form
Researchers from the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ have discovered that a special form of charcoal is highly effective at absorbing toxic chromium and transforming it into its safer form.
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News Release: Better Monitoring of Mining Remediation
A new testing technique developed using synchrotron light could significantly improve how we monitor the effectiveness of remediation practices for removing selenium contamination from mining activities.
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News Release: Ontario government awards À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ researchers nearly $8M
Four University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ researchers, including Earth and Environmental Sciences professorÌýDavid Blowes, were awarded funding earlier this month from the Ontario government for innovative research that ranges from cleaning up arsenic-laden mine waste, treating potential virus outbreaks, and using artificial intelligence to protect valuable financial data.