Chris Weisener

Associate Professor
Geomicrobiology/Geochemistry
Coordinator Biomaterials Laboratory

Phone: 519-253-3000 ext. 3753 Office: GLIER Rm 221
e-mail: Chris Weisener

EXPERTISE

Applied geochemistry and biogeochemistry
Analytical geochemistry
Contaminant stress on ecosystems in changing global environments
Environmental tracers
Applied synchrotron science

EDUCATION

Ph.D. 2003, Applied Science, IWRI, University of South Australia
B.Sc. 1998, Earth Science, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada

PAST ACADEMIC POSITIONS

Assistant Professor, GLIER, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, 2005-Current
Post Doctoral Fellow, GLIER, University of Windsor, 2004-2005
Post Doctoral Fellow, Earth Sciences, University of Waterloo, 2003-2004

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My significant contributions to research address a central theme which links multidisciplinary research involving metal and nutrient cycling and microbial influences on metal transport in terrestrial and aquatic systems. Part of this research is focused on the further development of novel environmental tracers for assessing contaminants in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems within Great Lakes basin and international community. This research provides insight into the complex linkages between toxicity; bacteria metal cycling and stress effecting local/regional ecology resulting from natural and anthropogenic sources.

RECENT AND SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Polat, A., Fryer, B., Samson, I.M., Weisener, C., Appel, P.W.U., Frei, R., and Windley, B.F., 2011. Geochemistry of ultramafic rocks and hornblendite veins in the Fiskenæsset layered anorthosite complex, SW Greenland: Evidence for hydrous upper mantle in the Archean. Precambrian Research (accepted august 2011).

Weisener, C.G., Guthrie, J., Smeaton, C., Paktunc, D. and Fryer, J. 2011 Effects of Ca-Fe-As coatings on microbial leaching of metals in arsenic bearing mine waste. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 110(SI1), 23-30. Invited

Weisener, C.G. and Weber, P.A. 2010. Preferential oxidation of pyrite as a function of morphology and relict texture, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics , 53(1), 22-33. Invited

Babechuk, M., Weisener, C.G., Fryer, B. and Maunders C. (2009) Microbial reductive dissolution of stable ferrous arsenate mineral phases: a case for arsenic mobility, Applied Geochemistry, 24, 2332- 2341.

Smeaton, C., Fryer, J., and Weisener, C.G., (2009) Intracellular precipitation of Pb by Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 during the reductive dissolution of Pb-jarosite, Environmental Science and Technology, 43(21), 8096-8091.

Ludwig, R., Smyth, D., Blowes, D., Spink, L., Jewett, D., and Weisener C.G. (2009) Treatment of arsenic, heavy metals, and acidity using a mixed ZVI-Compost PRB, Environmental Science and Technology, 43,1970-1976.

Weisener, C.G., Babechuk, M. Fryer,B and Maunders C. (2008) Microbial biochemical alteration of silver jarosite in mine wastes: implications for trace metal behavior in terrestrial systems, Geomicrobiology Journal, 25, 1-10.

Smeaton, C., Weisener, C.G, Fowle, D.F., Burns, P, and Fryer, B. (2008) Bacterial enhanced dissolution of meta-autunite. American Mineralogist, 93, 1112.

Gerson, A.R.; Anastasio, C.; Crowe, S.; Fowle, D.; Guo, B.; Kennedy, I.; Lombi, E.; NIco, P.S.; Marcus, M.A.; Martin, R.; Patunc, D.; Roberts, J.A.; Weisener, C.G.,
Werner, M.L. (2007) Frontiers in Assessing the Role of Chemical Speciation and Natural Attenuation on the Bioavailability of Contaminants in The Terrestrial environment in Geoderma, Elsevier, Adelaide.

Crowe, S.A., O’Neil, A.H., Kulezycki, E., Weisener, C.G., Roberts, J.A. and Fowle, D.F. (2007) Reductive release of trace metals from sediments: The importance of manganese. Geomicrobiology, 24, 157-165.

Crowe, S.A., Roberts, J.A. Weisener, C.G. and Fowle, D.F. (2007) Alteration of iron-rich sediments by dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria (DIRB). Geobiology, 5, (1), 24-45.

Weisener, C.G., Sayle, K.S., Smyth, D.J., and Blowes, D.W. (2005) A field Column study using zero-valent iron for mercury removal from contaminated groundwater. Environmental Science and Technology, 39, 6306-6312.

Weber, P.A., Stewart, W.A., Skinner, W.M., Weisener, C.G., Thomas, J.E. and Smart, R.St.C. (2004) Geochemical effects of framboidal pyrite oxidation in acid mine drainage prediction techniques. Applied Geochemistry. 19, 1953–1974.

Weisener C.G., Smart, R.St. and Gerson, A. (2004) A comparison of the kinetics and mechanism of acid leaching of sphalerite containing low and high concentrations of Iron, International journal of Mineral Processing. 74, 239– 249.

Recent Conference Presentations

Weisener, C.G., Chen, M., Walshe,G., Chi Fru, 2011. Biogeochemical evolution in oil sand waste repository basins. ISSM 2011, Garmishe, Germany.

Chi Fru, E., Chen, M., Walshe, G., Weisener, C.G., 2011. An archaea haven: fluid fine tailings in end pit lake evolution. ISSM 2011, Garmishe, Germany.

Weisener, C.G., Smeaton, C.M., Walshe, G.E., Smith, A.M.L., Chi Fru, E., Fryer, B.J., 2011 Bacterial physico-chemical controls on As-Pb iron hydroxy sulfates in reduced environments. Goldschmidt 2011, Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Walshe, G.E., Chen, M., Chi Fru, E., Weisener, C.G., 2011. Physico-chemical transformations of fluid fine tailings (FFT) associated with Alberta oil sands end pit Lakes. Goldschmidt 2011, Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Smeaton, C.M., Fryer, B.J., and Weisener, C.G., 2011. Biotic dissolution of Tl(I) jarosite by Shewanella putrefaciens CN32. Goldschmidt 2011, Prague, Czechoslovakia..

Weisener, C.G., Chen, M., Ciborowski, J., 2011. The chemical and biological evolution of Fluid fine tailings in oil sands end pit lakes, GAC-MAC, Ottawa, Canada.

Weisener, C.G., Gagnon, J. Weber, P.A. 2010. Preferential oxidation of euhedral pyrite containing relict framboidal morphologies, IMA, Budapest, Hungary.

Weisener, C.G., Guthrie. J. Paktunc, D. 2010. Mineralogical controls on the biological and chemical leaching of metals associated with arsenic bearing mine waste, IMA, Budapest, Hungary.

Weisener, C.G.; Chen, M. and Goudey, S. 2010. Sediment interfacial interactions controlling nutrient and redox flux within experimental End Pit lake tailings, GeoCanada 2010, Calgary, AB Canada. Invited

Chen, M., Weisener, C., Slama, Gardner Costa, J., Goudey, S. and Ciborowski, J.J.H., (2009) Sediment Oxygen Demand and Microbial Activity: resolving biological and chemical oxygen demands in sediments of constructed wetlands, 36th Aquatic Toxicology Workshop, Charlevoix, QC., Canada.

Weisener,C.G.; Guthrie, J.W.; Holland, S.; Dangier, A.; Smeaton, C.; Paktunc, D.; Fryer, J., (2009) The effect of Ca-Fe-As coatings on microbial leaching of metals in arsenic bearing mine waste, Environmental changes and sustainability of biogeochemical cycling, International Symposia on Environmental Biogeochemistry, Hamburg, Germany, September.

Smeaton, C, Fryer, B. and Weisener C.G. (2009) Intra cellular accumulation of Pb by Shewanella putrafaciens CN32 during the reductive dissolution of plumbojarosite, Environmental changes and sustainability of biogeochemical cycling, International Symposia on Environmental Biogeochemistry, Hamburg, Germany, September.

Chevalier, D.; Weisener, C.G.; Gagnon, J.; Fryer, J., (2009) Microchemistry characterization of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) otolith cores using FIB and HTEM, 4th International Otolith Symposium, Us National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA, San Francisco, USA, August.

Weisener, C.G., (2009) Application of Novel Microscopic Methods to Environmental Biogeochemical Processes, 92nd Canadian Chemistry Conference, Canadian Chemical Society, Hamilton, Canada, June.

Weisener, C.G., Babechuk, M., Fryer, B. and Maunders C. (2008) Microbial reductive dissolution of stable Ferrous arsenate mineral phases: a case for Arsenic mobility. Goldschmidt Vancouver, BC, Canada, June.

Smeaton, C.M., Fryer, B.J., and Weisener, C.G. (2008) Biochemical Weathering of Lead Jarosite. Goldschmidt Vancouver, BC. Canada,June.

Smeaton, C.M., Fryer, B.J., and Weisener, C.G. (2008) Microbial alteration of Lead Jarosite (PbFe6(SO4)4(OH)12). 91st Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition Edmonton, AB. Canada,May.

Weber, P.A., Lindsay, P., Hughes, J.B., Thomas, D.G., Rutter, G.A., Weisener, C.G., Pizey, M.H., (2008). ARD minimisation and treatment strategies at Stockton Coal Mine, New Zealand . In "Proceedings of the Sixth Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage", Burnie , Tasmania . 15-18 April.

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Biorgeochemistry of Oil sands endpit lakes (Iron and sulfur cycling, bacteria)
SOD function in reclaimed Oil sands wetlands
Organic degradation pathways and treatments of Oilsands processing byproducts
Microbial biochemical alteration of Iron hydroxy sulphate minerals: Implications for trace metal behaviour in terrestrial systems.
Microbial alteration of Iron Arsenates & Selenates
Development of “green mining”; remediation strategies to control metals and acidity in mine environments; wetlands, and sustainable ecological solutions
Phosphorus, nutrient studies
Investigating Redox controlled processes in Alberta Oil sands reclamation ponds

CURRENT RESEARCH TEAM