NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Fate and Transport of Reactive Solutes Diffusion-Dominated Systems

本申请建议为NSERC-水和环境工业研究教席提供第四个任期 地球化学系。拟议的研究建立在申请者在当前和过去的IRC中进行的工作的基础上 条款。第一阶段的研究重点是富粘土含水层中的地球化学反应和溶质运移， 目标：1)确定富粘土含水层系统中水和溶质运移的空间变异性；2) 利用示踪剂剖面研究威利斯顿盆地的溶质运移机制；3)表征溶质 利用示踪剂剖面研究大自流盆地的运移机制；4)评估断层对溶质的作用 威利斯顿盆地的运移；以及5)评估厚粘土中溶质的长期反应性运移。第一阶段 研究将更好地了解水、盐和污染物在含水层中的迁移。这 这项研究将对确定污染物在近地表含水层中的迁移程度和 流入现有和拟建钾矿以及#年拟建露天钻石矿的资金来源 萨斯喀彻温省。此外，研究结果将继续作为使用粘土岩石的基准。 在加拿大和国际上作为放射性或有毒化学废物的可行地质储存库。 第二阶段的研究重点是铀矿厂尾矿中的地球化学反应和溶质迁移， 目的1)确定钙砷矿物对尾矿中砷浓度的控制；2)确定 Eh和pH界面梯度对关注元素(EOC)稳定性的影响；3)定义和详细说明 对EoC源条件的控制；4)确定生产尾矿的替代磨矿方法，以减少长期 EoC源项；5)综合尾矿研究成果。第二阶段的研究将帮助其中一个 工业伙伴(Cameco)通过规划废物处理确保环境保护，#年 运营废物处理设施，以及获得和保留对矿场的监管批准。这个 研究最终将为开发新的矿山和湿法冶金磨矿工艺铺平道路 随着它们从可行性发展到全面生产。

This application proposes a 4th term for an NSERC-Industrial Research Chair in Aqueous and Environmental Geochemistry. The proposed research builds upon work conducted by the applicant in the current and past IRC terms. Phase I research focuses on geochemical reactions and solute transport in clay-rich aquitards, with objectives to 1) define spatial variability in water and solute transport in clay-rich aquitard systems; 2) characterize solute transport mechanisms in the Williston Basin using tracer profiles; 3) characterize solute transport mechanisms in the Great Artesian Basin using tracer profiles; 4) assess the role of faulting on solute transport in the Williston Basin; and 5) assess long-term reactive transport of solutes in thick claystone. Phase I research will provide better understanding of the migration of water, salts, and contaminants in aquitards. This research will be of value for determining the extent of contaminant transport in near surface aquitards and the origin of the inflows into existing and proposed potash mines and a proposed open pit diamond mine in Saskatchewan. Moreover, the findings will continue to serve as a benchmark for the use of claystone host rocks as viable geological repositories for radioactive or toxic chemical wastes both in Canada and internationally. Phase II research focuses on geochemical reactions and solute transport in uranium mill tailings, with objectives to 1) determine controls exerted by Ca-As minerals on As concentrations in tailings; 2) define the impact of Eh and pH interfacial gradients on the stability of elements of concern (EOCs); 3) define and detail the controls on EOC source terms; 4) identify alternate mill methods to produce tailings that reduce long-term EOC source terms; and 5) synthesize findings of tailings research. Phase II research will assist one of the industrial partners (Cameco) in ensuring protection of the environment by planning for waste disposal, in operating the waste disposal facilities, and in obtaining and retaining regulatory approval for mine sites. The research will ultimately set the path for the development of new mines and hydrometallurgical mill processes as they progress from feasibility to full production.