Our research

Microbial mercury methylation

Methylmercury in the environment is produced microbially, and bioaccumulates as a neurotoxin in terrestrial and marine food webs. We are investigating the microbiology and biogeochemistry underpinning environmental Hg methylation.

graph of depth profile of methyl-Hg in Southern Ocean

Depth profile of methyl-Hg / Total Hg (%) in Southern Ocean (113-121E longitude)

KEGG pathways of metagenome-assembled genomes (left) from Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, Canada

KEGG pathways of metagenome-assembled genomes (left) from Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, Canada

Bioremediation of thiocyanate in mine waste

Some microorganisms have adapted to survive in extreme environments, such as toxic mine waste, and can even transform contaminants to environmentally non-toxic chemicals. We study microbes that perform this useful function, and how to harness their activity for bioremediation systems.

Pipeline decanting thiocyanate-contaminated wastewater from gold ore processing plant

Pipeline decanting thiocyanate-contaminated wastewater from gold ore processing plant

View across surface of thiocyanate-contaminated mine waste tailings storage facility

View across surface of thiocyanate-contaminated mine waste tailings storage facility

The effect of coupled redox cycling on the mobility of Cr(VI) in the environment

Carcinogenic hexavalent chromium from the industrial legacies of steelmaking and chemical manufacturing presents as a problem at sites around the world. Remediation efforts are often challenged by the potential for Cr(VI) to be remobilised via redox reactions with other metals (e.g., manganese). We are interested in these processes at the nanoscale to understand how metals, microbes and organic matter can interact to control the long-term fate of chromium in the environment.

CryoTEM electron energy loss spectroscopy

CryoTEM electron energy loss spectroscopy of nanoparticulate MnO2 and Cr(OH)3 after spontaneous redox reactions that change the valence states of both metals.

Urban waterway contaminated by hexavalent chromium

Urban waterway contaminated by hexavalent chromium