My study interests cover the sediment-water interaction and its constraints on the hydrogeochemistry of geo-contaminants (As, F, I, U) in groundwater, the interactions among organic matter, S and Mn/Fe minerals and consequent influence on the fate of environmentally relevant trace elements in the near-surface environments, the design of environmental biosensors for on-site detection of toxic metals and geo-contaminants, as well as the development of in-situ remediation technologies for polluted groundwater. I am trained in the combined utilization of field investigation, laboratory experiments and reactive-transport modeling to look into the geochemical reaction network governing the mobilization and transport of geo-contaminants in the subsurface environments.
Specific topics in which now I am interested include:
- The geochemical cycling of sulfur in the groundwater system and its control on the mobilization/immobilization of geo-contaminants
- The interactions between organic matter and Mn/Fe minerals in near-surface environments and its response to cryoturbation
- The application of environmental biosensors for quick, on-site determination of mercury and arsenic species in porewater and groundwater
Office: EIT 2003
Phone: 519-888-4567 ext. 37968
Email: kunfu.pi@uwaterloo.ca
