Jocelyn Ross-Lindeman

Areas of interest

Bonding Environment and Distribution of Arsenic and Selenium in Pyrite and Controls on Element Mobilization

This study examines the release of arsenic and selenium due to pyrite oxidation; a process that can cause environmental contamination. Pyrite (AKA fool’s gold) is a common mineral and arsenic and selenium can substitute for the iron or sulphur in pyrite when it forms. Pyrite is easily oxidized and this reaction releases the elements from pyrite. This study uses chemical and mineralogical testing, laboratory-scale oxidation experiments, and geochemical modeling to evaluate arsenic and selenium release during pyrite oxidation to better understand these reactions.