Dr Elliott Skierszkan - Metal mobilization from thawing permafrost

Permafrost underlies nearly have of Canadian land area and is a dominant control on northern hydrological and biogeochemical cycles. Accelerated transition from frozen to unfrozen ground conditions increases water infiltration, water-mineral-organic matter interaction, and geochemical reaction rates. This presentation addresses emergent issues associated with enhanced metal mobilization from thawing permafrost. Observations from field sites in Yukon’s Dawson Range show potential for mobilization of iron, manganese, uranium, and arsenic associated with permafrost thaw and organic matter cycling. Recent research from Yukon’s Tombstone Waters Observatory showcase abrupt transitions of pristine streams towards acid-rock drainage conditions with elevated concentrations of iron, aluminum, zinc, and several other metal(loid)s. These changes are related to weathering, bedrock geology, and dynamic hydrogeochemical conditions accompanying subarctic warming, and have important implications for water resource management and water security.

Elliott Skierszkan is an Assistant Professor at Carleton University with expertise in groundwater geochemistry, permafrost geochemistry, and mine-waste geochemistry. Prior to arriving at Carleton, he completed a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Saskatchewan and a Mitacs Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of British Columbia investigating the fate of geogenic metal(loid)s in groundwater. His PhD, also at UBC, developed new metal stable isotope tracers of metal release and attenuation processes in mine wastes.

If you are interested in meeting with Elliott, please contact Jeffrey McKenzie (jeffrey.mckenzie [at] mcgill.ca (jeffrey[dot]mckenzie[at]mcgill[dot]ca)).