The two main objectives (outlined below) for this project address 2 of the goals for the research team. Specifically, information regarding source apportionment, i.e. natural versus anthropogenic sources of release, and transformation of metals during transport, will be generated.

1. Microbially mediated mechanisms that favour the release and/or sequestration of arsenic in aquatic environments will be defined in a freshwater system that has received gold mine tailings for more than 50 years.
2. The potential for water column enrichment of arsenic from underlying sediments will be quantified in a series of laboratory and field experiments.