Research Interests

The fate of heavy elements in the environment is controlled by their transport properties, the dissolution and growth of minerals containing these elements, their uptake by minerals and their adsorption on mineral surfaces. Processes such as dissolution, growth, adsorption and uptake occur at or near the mineral-water interface. Interpretation of these observations requires an understanding of the structure and property of mineral surfaces and the crystal-chemical properties of the heavy element involved in the surface process. My research focuses on an understanding of these surface processes using surface analytical methods and crystal-chemical theory.

Available Research Projects

If you are interested in an Honor Thesis or M.Sc. research project, please contact me. Available projects include studies on:

• Mobility of elements in soils, tailings, and roast yards.
• Transportation of elements via aerosols and colloids.

Current Graduate Students

Jennifer Durocher 
B.Sc. Hons. (Laurentian). Understanding the distribution and concentration of uranium in mineral phases of the athabasca basin using synchrotron radiation [Schindler / Fayek (CRC-Isotop & Environmental Geochemistry, University of Manitoba)] - Funded by Cameco
Email: jl_durocher@laurentian.ca

Sonia Lanteigne
Identifucation of metal-bearing phases in the Sudbury soils [Schindler]
Email: sx_lanteigne@laurentian.ca

Representative Publications

Journal Articles

Durocher, J. and Schindler, M. (2011): Iron-hydroxide, IIron-sulfate and hydrous silica coatings in acid-mine tailings facilities: a comparative study of their trace-element composition. Applied Geochemistry (in press).

Schindler, M., Hawthorne, F.C., Mandaliev, P., Burns, P.C., and Maurice, P.A. (2011): An Integrated Study of Uranyl Mineral Dissolution Processes: Etch pit formation, effects of cations in solution, and secondary precipitation. Radiochmica Acta 99, 79-94.

Schindler, M., Fayek, M. and Hawthorne, F.C. (2010): Uranium in opaline rock-coatings at the Uranium Ore Deposit Nopal 1, Pena Blanca, Mexico: Indications for the uptake and retardation of radionuclides. Geochim. Cosmochim. 74, 187 - 202.

Schindler, M., Durocher, J., Abdu, Y. and Hawthorne, F.C. (2009): Hydrous silica coatings: Occurrence, Speciation of Metals and Environmental Significance. Environ. Science Tech., 43, 8775 - 8780.

Schindler, M., Freund, M.S., Hawthorne, F.C., Burns, P.C. and Maurice, P.A. (2009): Dissolution of uranophane: An AFM, XPS, SEM, and ICP study. Geochim. Cosmochim. 73, 2510 - 2533.

Schindler, M., Hawthorne, F.C., Freund, M.S., and Burns, P.C. (2009): XPS spectra of uranyl minerals and synthetic compounds I. The U 4f spectrum. Geochim. Cosmochim. 73, 2488-2509.

Schindler, M., Hawthorne, F.C., Freund, M.S., and Burns, P.C. (2009): XPS spectra of uranyl minerals and synthetic compounds I. The O1s spectrum. Geochim. Cosmochim. 73, 2488-2509.