Environmental mobility of arsenic and antimony

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Objectives: This research will clarify the factors that control whether arsenic and antimony are stabilized in mine tailings, soils and sediments or whether they are leached to natural waters, or transformed into a bioavailable form (a form that can enter the bloodstream of an organism). Nature of Work: My research involves field sampling and detailed characterization of the contaminated materials to determine the chemical form of the arsenic and antimony, and understand its transformation under changing environmental conditions. I will build on the success of the synchrotron-based microanalysis that we have recently developed. The fieldwork is based at abandoned gold mines in Yellowknife and Nova Scotia.   Why This is Important: This research is important since soluble forms of these toxic elements are more available for uptake by organisms such as fish or humans. Arsenic is a highly toxic element whose environmental behaviour is still not completely understood. This project will address the research gaps in our understanding of antimony speciation, an element whose toxicity and mobility are receiving increased attention. This research will help the mining industry improve remediation design, and help regulators conduct risk assessment. The Yellowknife community is very interested in the form of arsenic in regional soil. In Nova Scotia, where people are exposed to arsenic-rich tailings dust during recreational activities, a federal-provincial committee has expressed an urgent need to determine how the arsenic is bound. Anticipated Outcomes:  Four MSc and two PhD theses are expected to result. Based on previous experience, each MSc will produce two journal publications and each PhD produce three or four. Benefits: This research will enhance our understanding of ecological and human health risk associated with arsenic and antimony.  Our new synchrotron methods will be suitable for industrial application at the Canadian Light Source. The results will help solve a large environmental problem in the Canadian North, namely arsenic in the Yellowknife area, and address an emerging one in Nova Scotia.