Christian Maurice
Luleå University of Technology
Field of research
Christian works with questions related to trace elements spreading in water and soil. The aim of the researcher is to better assess and treat pollutants dissolved and adsorbed in soil. The application of the research is to bind trace elements to the matrix or mobilise them through leaching. Christian works with arsenic in soil, remediation of mining waste, sampling strategy, toxicity and leaching tests. Christian is active in the soil remediation center (MCN).
Background
Christian has a PhD from the department of environmental technology at Luleå University of technology. He has a degree in geological engineering from ENSG in Nancy. His PhD-studies dealt with natural system to treat emissions from landfills.
Research projects
Utilisation of Green liquor dregs (GLD) for the treatment of mining waste
Mining operations result in huge amounts of waste rock and tailings that may have detrimental effects on soil, water and biota. The aim of the project is to study if Green liquor dregs (GLD), alkaline rest products from the paper industry, can be used as sealing layers for remediation of sulphide-bearing tailings and other sulphidic materials. The project is financed by Formas.
Chemicals for soil washing of arsenic polluted soil
Large amounts of arsenic polluted soil resulting from former wood impregnation activities are landfilled. The aim of the project is to find adequate chemical mixtures to leach arsenic from the soil particles. The project is financed by Formas in cooperation with KTH.
Assessment of redox sensitive elements.
Redox sensitive elements such as arsenic are more mobile under anaerobic conditions. The leaching tests that are used today do not take into account anaerobic conditions and underestimate the mobility of such elements. The aim of the project is to suggest alternative leaching procedures for materials containing redox sensitive elements such as arsenic soil, pyrite cinders, and blast furnace slag. The project is financed by EU-objective 2.
Sampling strategy for brownfields.
Hugh resources are spent to investigate brownfields. However, the results are often of poor quality. The aim of the project is to optimise sampling strategy for brownfields to retrieve as much information as possible and to assess the quality of it. The project is financed by EU-objective 2.
Modelling for the selection of remediation strategies for TSF
Engineered multilayer covers is one solution to one of the mining industry main challenges i.e. the release of acid mine drainage (AMD), containing heavy metals, from mine waste deposits. Engineered multilayer covers can be constructed on top of sulfidic mine waste to limit oxygen and water ingress and thereby limiting generation of AMD. Numerical modelling can be used as a tool to evaluate the efficiency of the cover designs, varying hydraulic properties, number and thickness of layers of the materials used in the construction. Several designs can be tested at a low cost compared to building field tests for every change in parameter.