Ulrich Mayer

Professor

EOS-South 256
(604) 822-1539
Not accepting students
faculty

My research concentrates on the geochemical evolution of low-temperature groundwater systems with a focus on groundwater contamination and remediation. Dissolved inorganic and organic chemicals are commonly affected by a variety of physical and chemical processes, which influence their mobility, but also alter the geochemical composition of the aquifer material. This is particularly true in the vadose zone, where the exchange of gases with the atmosphere can enhance the progress of geochemical reaction processes. Due to the complexity of these systems and the strong non-linear coupling between the processes, existing conceptual models are often incomplete and data interpretation from field and laboratory studies is not always intuitive. The main objectives of my research program are:

  • Development of a process-oriented multicomponent reactive transport model, which can be used to investigate these complex systems and which is generally applicable to a large number of reactive transport problems in the fields of environmental sciences and engineering.
  • Numerical analysis of groundwater contamination problems and remediation solutions with the goal to quantify, and potentially improve, existing conceptual models.
  • Investigation of transport and reaction processes in groundwater systems using dissolved and vapor phase gases as natural tracers (Ar and N2) or indicators for biological processes (CH4, CO2, H2, H2S, O2, N2), .

The model development is based on the reactive transport model MIN3P (Mayer et. al., 2002 - see "Selected Publications"). MIN3P was designed to investigate reactive transport in saturated and unsaturated porous media in partial equilibrium systems. The model is capable of simulating groundwater flow, advective-dispersive transport of dissolved species and advective-diffusive gas transport directly coupled with a variety of bio-geochemical and inorganic reactions. To date, processes considered are aqueous complexation, oxidation-reduction, gas dissolution-exsolution, ion exchange, surface complexation, mineral dissolution-precipitation, and microbially-mediated degradation reactions.

MIN3P has been and is being used to study a number of reactive transport problems including:

  • The generation and fate of acid mine drainage in mine tailings and at reclaimed mine sites.
  • Treatment of contaminated groundwater by permeable reactive barriers and KMnO4.
  • Potential effect of secondary geochemical reactions on the long-term performance of remediation technologies.
  • Natural attenuation of organic contaminants in variably-saturated media. Assessment of physical and chemical parameters controlling microbially-mediated degradation reactions.
  • Development of an improved conceptual model capable of reproducing observed redox zones in natural and contaminated aquifers.

Field work and lab work revolve around dissolved gas analysis. Microbiological activity in groundwater systems often leads to the generation of dissolved gases. In shallow groundwater systems, gas solubility is limited and if gas production is significant (e.g. due to denitrification or methanogenesis), gas bubbles will form. This will lead to the partitioning of insoluble gases such ad Ar and N2 into the gas bubbles. Due to its non-reactive nature, Ar in particular can be used to quantify this process, and can then also be used to investigate transport away from a reactive zone. In unsaturated media, zones of Ar depletion or enrichment can be used as an indicator for advective gas transport. Specific research projects currently under way include:

  • Investigation of natural attenuation of crude oil in variably saturated sediments using Ar and N2.
  • Using dissolved gas analysis to investigate the performance of permeable reactive barriers for the treatment of metals.

 

STUDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES:

Student projects on the Master's level primarily focus on the numerical study of groundwater evolution in natural and contaminated aquifers and the assessment of remediation technologies using reactive transport modeling and dissolved gas analysis. These projects may also involve the interpretation of field and laboratory data aided by the modeling approach. Potential applicants should be familiar with geochemical principles and the basic concepts of flow and transport modeling. Research projects at the Ph.D.-level will in addition include model development using state-of-the art modeling approaches. Experience with the development of large complex numerical models would be advantageous. Applicants should also be familiar with Fortran90. To obtain more information about specific research projects, please contact me by e-mail (umayer@eos.ubc.ca).

EOSC 329 · Quantitative Groundwater HydrologyEOSC 430 · Aqueous GeochemistryEOSC 540 · Advanced Groundwater GeochemistryEOSC 541 · Multi-component Reactive Transport Modeling in Groundwater
Groundwater Hydrology / Reactive Solute Transport Dipl. Ing. (1993) Universität Stuttgart (Germany); Ph.D. (1999) University of Waterloo. Faculty Member at UBC since 2000

PDFs and RAs

  • Postdoctoral Fellow Geological Sciences
  • Postdoctoral Fellow
  • Research Associate
  • Postdoctoral Fellow

Graduate Students

  • MASc Geological Engineering
  • PhD Geological Sciences
  • PhD Geological Sciences
  • MSc
  • MSc
  • MSc
  • PhD Geological Sciences

2023

Morais, T. A, N. A. Fleming, D. Attalage, B. Mayer, K. U. Mayer, M. C. Ryan, 2023. Field investigation of the transport and attenuation of fugitive methane in shallow groundwater around an oil and gas well with gas migration, Science of the Total Environment, 168246, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168246

Doucet, A.-M., F. Jones, K. Raymond, G. Dipple, A. Black, B. Ladd, and K. U. Mayer, 2023, Quantitative analysis of diurnal CO2 flux variations above an alkaline playa, Vadose Zone Journal, VZJ220292, https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20292    

Jain, K., C.J.C. Van De Ven, K. U. Mayer, 2023. What can groundwater monitoring tell us about gas migration? A numerical modeling study, Groundwater, 13358, https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.13358

Xie, M., D. Su, K.T.B. MacQuarrie, and K.U. Mayer, 2023. Reactive transport modelling of processes controlling elevated dissolved sulphide concentrations in sedimentary basin rocks, Geofluids, 7435602, https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7435602

Gatz-Miller, H.S., F. Gérard, D. Su, K. U. Mayer, 2023, Two-dimensional modelling of CO2 mineral trapping through the oxalate-carbonate pathway: influence of the root system model, Science of the Total Environment, 166280, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166280

Bereswill, S., H. Gatz-Miller, D. Su, C. Tötzke, N. Kardjilov, S.E. Oswald, K. U. Mayer, 2023. Coupling non-invasive imaging and reactive transport modelling to investigate water and oxygen dynamics in the root zone, Vadose Zone Journal, e20268, https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20268

Seigneur, N., A. Socie, K. U. Mayer, 2023. A compositional global implicit approach for modeling coupled multicomponent reactive transport, Water Resources Research, 59, e2021WR031774, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021WR031774 

Jia, M., D. R. Lapen, D. Su, K. U. Mayer, 2023. Modeling of dual-permeability gas and solute reactive transport in macroporous agricultural soils with a focus on GHG cycling and emissions, 171:104362, Journal of Hydrology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.129408

Jain, K., C. J.C. Van De Ven, K. G. Mumford and K. U. Mayer, 2023. Modeling evaluation of physiochemical processes controlling gas migration in shallow groundwater systems, Advances in Water Resources, 171:104362, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2022.104362

2022

Su, D., M. Xie, K.U. Mayer and K.T.B. MacQuarrie, 2022. The impact of ice sheet geometry on meltwater ingress and reactive solute transport in sedimentary basins, Water Resources Research, 58(10):e2022WR032353, https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2022WR032353

Su, D., M. Xie, K.U. Mayer and K.T.B. MacQuarrie, 2022. Simulation of diffusive solute transport in heterogeneous porous media with dipping anisotropy, Frontiers in Water, 4:974145, https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2022.974145

Jia, M, O. Blume, R. T. Amos, D. Su, D. R. Lapen, and K. U. Mayer, 2022. Assessing GHG Cycling in Agricultural and Riparian Soils Using a Uniform Reactive Transport Modeling Approach, Geoderma, 425:116078, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.116078

Forde, O; A.G. Cahill, B. Mayer, R. Beckie, K.U. Mayer, 2022. Fugitive gas migration in the vadose zone at an experimental field site in the Montney shale gas region, Geophysical Research Letters, 49, e2022GL098762. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL098762

Xie, M., D. Su, K.U. Mayer, K.T.B. MacQuarrie, 2022. Reactive transport investigations of the long-term geochemical evolution of a multibarrier system including bentonite, low-alkali concrete and host rock, Applied Geochemistry, 143:105385, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2022.105385

Van De Ven, C.J.C.,  L. Laurenzi,  A. C. Arnold, S. J. Hallam,  K. U. Mayer, 2022. Investigation of methanol degradation pathways and products in natural aquifer sediments: a microcosm study, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 247:103988 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2022.103988

Petrova, E., E. Kortunov; K.U. Mayer; P. Grathwohl; M. Finkel, 2022, Travel time-based modelling of nitrate reduction in a fractured limestone aquifer by pyrite and iron carbonates under pore size limitation, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 248:103983, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2022.103983

Gatz-Miller, H., F Gérard, E. P. Verrecchia, D. Su, K.U. Mayer, 2022. Reactive transport modeling the oxalate-carbonate pathway of the Iroko tree; investigation of calcium and carbon sinks and sources, Geoderma, 410:115665, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115665

Pedretti, D., B. Vriens, E. Skierszkan, P. Baják,  K.U. Mayer; R.D. Beckie, 2022. Evaluating dual-domain models for upscaling multicomponent reactive transport in mine waste rock, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 244:103931, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2021.103931

2021

Skierszkan, E., J. Dockrey, J. Helsen, L-L. Findlater, C. Bataille, G. de Laplante, J. McBeth, K.U. Mayer, R. Beckie, 2021. Persistence of uranium in subpermafrost groundwater indicated by linking 234U-235U-238U, groundwater ages, and hydrogeochemistry, ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 5(12):3474–3487, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.1c00307

Van De Ven, C., J. V. Soares; C. Chopra; A. G. Cahill; R. D. Beckie; T. A. Black; B. Ladd; K. U. Mayer, 2021. Towards quantifying subsurface methane emissions from energy wells with integrity failure, Atmospheric Pollution Research, 12:101223, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2021.101223

Yi, X., D. Su, B. Bussière, K.U. Mayer, 2021. Thermal-hydrological-chemical modeling of a covered waste rock pile in a permafrost region, Minerals, 11(6):565, https://doi.org/10.3390/min11060565

Fleming, N., T.A. Morais, K.U. Mayer, M.C. Ryan, 2021. Spatiotemporal variability of fugitive gas migration emissions around a petroleum well, Atmospheric Pollution Research, 12:101094, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2021.101094

Raymond, K, N. Seigneur, D. Su, and K. U. Mayer, 2021. Investigating the influence of structure and heterogeneity in waste rock piles on mass loading rates – A reactive transport modeling study, Frontiers in Water 3:618418, https://doi:10.3389/frwa.2021.618418

Yi, X, D. Su, N. Seigneur, and K. U. Mayer, 2021. Modeling of thermal-hydrological-chemical (THC) processes during waste rock weathering under permafrost conditions, Frontiers in Water, 3:645675, https://doi:10.3389/frwa.2021.645675

Wozney, A., I. D. Clark, K. U. Mayer, 2021. Quantifying natural source zone depletion at petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites: A comparison of 14C methods, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 238:103795, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2021.103795

Van De Ven, C.J.C., K. Scully; M. Frame; N. J. Sihota; K.U. Mayer, 2021. Impacts of water table fluctuations on actual and perceived natural source zone depletion rates, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 238:103771, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2021.103771

Seigneur, N., B. Vriens, K.U. Mayer, R.D. Beckie, 2021. Reactive transport modelling to investigate multi-scale waste rock weathering, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 236:103752, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2020.103752

2020

Skierszkan, E.K., J.W. Dockrey, K.U. Mayer, V. Bondici, J.M. McBeth, R.D. Beckie, 2020. Geochemical controls on uranium mobility in neutral-rock drainage during weathering of granitic and metamorphic rock, Minerals, 10(12)1104; https://doi:10.3390/min10121104

Su, D., K. U. Mayer and K.T.B. MacQuarrie, 2020. MIN3P-HPC: a high performance unstructured grid code for subsurface flow and reactive transport simulation, Mathematical Geosciences, 53-517-550, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11004-020-09898-7

Vriens, B., N. Seigneur, K.U. Mayer, R. D Beckie, 2020. Scale dependence of effective geochemical rates in weathering mine waste rock, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 234:103699, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2020.103699

Raymond, K.E., N. Seigneur, D. Su, B. Poaty, B. Plante, B. Bussière, K.U. Mayer, 2020. Numerical modeling of a laboratory-scale waste rock pile featuring an engineered cover system, Minerals, 10(8), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/min10080652

Su, D., K. U. Mayer and K.T.B. MacQuarrie, 2020. Numerical investigation of flow instabilities using fully unstructured discretization for variably saturated flow problems, Advances in Water Resources, 143:103673, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2020.103673

Skierszkan, E., J. Dockrey, K.U. Mayer, R. Beckie, 2020. Release of geogenic uranium and arsenic results in water-quality impacts in a subarctic permafrost region of granitic and metamorphic geology, Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 217:106607, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2020.106607

St-Arnault. M., B. Vriens; R. Blaskovich; C. Aranda; B. Klein; K.U. Mayer; R. D. Beckie, 2020. Geochemical and mineralogical assessment of reactivity in a full-scale heterogeneous waste-rock, Minerals Engineering, 145:106089, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2019.106089

Pedretti, D., K.U. Mayer, R. D. Beckie, 2020. Controls of uncertainty in acid rock drainage predictions from waste rock piles examined through Monte-Carlo multicomponent reactive transport, Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, 34: 219-233, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00477-019-01756-1

2019

Seigneur, N, K.U. Mayer, C.I. Steefel, 2019. Reactive transport in evolving porous media, Ch. 7 in “Reactive Transport in Natural and Engineered Systems”, Eds.: J.L. Druhan and C. Tournassat, Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, Vol. 85, 197-238. https://doi.org/10.2138/rmg.2019.85.7

Forde, O.N., A.G. Cahill, R.D. Beckie, and K.U. Mayer, 2019. Barometric-pumping controls fugitive gas emissions from a vadose zone natural gas release, Scientific Reports, 9:14080,  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-50426-3

St-Arnault, M., B. Vriens, B. Klein, K. U. Mayer, R. D. Beckie, 2019. Mineralogical controls on drainage quality during the weathering of waste rock, Applied Geochemistry, 108, 104376, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2019.104376

Jia M.; D. Jacques; F. Gérard; D. Su; K.U. Mayer and J. Šimůnek, 2019. A benchmark for soil organic matter degradation under variably saturated flow conditions, Computational Geosciences, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10596-019-09862-3

Forde, O.N., A.G. Cahill, K.U. Mayer, B. Mayer, R.L. Simister, N. Finke, S.A. Crowe, J.A. Cherry, and B.L. Parker, 2019. Hydro-Biogeochemical Impacts of Fugitive Methane on a Shallow Unconfined Aquifer, Science of the Total Environment, 690:1342–1354, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.322

Vriens, B; E. Skierszkan, M. St-Arnault, K. Salzsauler, C. Aranda, K.U. Mayer, R. Beckie, 2019. Mobilization of metal(oid) oxyanions through circumneutral mine waste-rock drainage, ACS Omega, 4:10205-10215 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.9b01270

Cohen, G., I. Bernachot, D. Su., P. Höhener,  K.U. Mayer, O. Atteia, 2019.  Experimental and modelling investigations of 222Rn profiles in chemically heterogeneous LNAPL contaminated vadose zones, Science of the Total Environment, 681:456-466, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.023

Skierszkan, E.K., J.M. Robertson, M.B.J. Lindsay, J.S. Stockwell, J.W. Dockrey, S. Das, D. Weis, R. D. Beckie, and K. U. Mayer, 2019. Tracing molybdenum attenuation in mining environments using molybdenum stable isotopes, Environmental Science & Technology, 53:5678-5686, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b00766

Maher, K and K.U. Mayer, 2019. The art of reactive transport model building, Elements, 15: 117-118, https://doi:10.2138/gselements.15.2.117.

Maher, K and K.U. Mayer, 2019. Tracking diverse minerals, hungry organisms and dangerous contaminants using reactive transport models, Elements, 15: Volume: 15   Issue: 2   Pages: 81-86, DOI: https://10.2138/gselements.15.2.81.

Cahill, A.; R. Beckie, B. Ladd, E. Sandl, M. Goetz, J. Chao, J. Soares, C. Manning, C. Chopra, N. Finke, I. Hawthorne, T. Cary, A. Allen, K. U. Mayer, S. Crowe, D. Kirste, R. Lauer, B. Mayer and L. Welch, 2019. Advancing Knowledge of Gas Migration and Fugitive Gas from Energy Wells in NE British Columbia, Canada, Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ghg.1856.

Hussain, S. I., S. K. Frey, D. Blowes, C. Ptacek, D. Wilson, K.U. Mayer, D. Su, N. Gottschall, M. Edwards, and D. R. Lapen, 2019. Reactive Transport of Manure-Derived Nitrogen in the Vadose Zone: Consideration of Macropore Connectivity to Subsurface Receptors, Vadose Zone Journal, 18:190002. https://doi:10.2136/vzj2019.01.0002.

Vriens, B., L. Smith, K. U. Mayer, R. D. Beckie, 2019.  Pore gas distributions in waste-rock piles affected by climate seasonality and physicochemical heterogeneity, Applied Geochemistry, 100:305-315, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2018.12.009.

Vriens, B., H. Peterson, L. Laurenzi, L. Smith, C. Aranda, K.U.  Mayer, R.D. Beckie, 2019. Long-term monitoring of waste-rock weathering at the Antamina mine, Peru, Chemosphere, 215:858-869.

Forde, O.N., K.U. Mayer, and D. Hunkeler, 2019. Spatial Extent and Distribution of Fugitive Gas Migration on the Well Pad Scale, Science of the Total Environment, 652:356-366, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.217.

Skierszkan, E.K., K.U. Mayer, D. Weis, R. D Beckie, 2019. Molybdenum stable isotope fractionation during the precipitation of powellite (CaMoO4) and wulfenite (PbMoO4), Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta, 244:383-402, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2018.09.030.

2018

Poonoosamy, J., C. Wanner, P. Alt-Epping, J. Fernández Águila, J. Samper, L. Montenegro, M. Xie, K. U. Mayer, D. Su, U. Mäder, L. R. Van Loon and G. Kosakowski, 2018. Benchmarking of reactive transport codes for 2D simulations with mineral dissolution/precipitation reactions and feedback on transport parameters, Computational Geosciences, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10596-018-9793-x.

Sihota, N.J., M. Lyverse, B. McAlexander, K. U. Mayer, 2018. Multi-year CO2 efflux measurements for assessing natural source zone depletion at a large hydrocarbon-impacted site, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 219:50-60, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2018.10.007.

Vriens, B., M. St.Arnault, L. Laurenzi, L. Smith, K. U. Mayer, R. D. Beckie, 2018.  Localized sulfide oxidation limited by oxygen supply in a full-scale waste rock pile, Vadose Zone Journal, 17:180119, https://doi: 10.2136/vzj2018.06.0119.

Forde, O.N., K.U. Mayer, A.G. Cahill, B. Mayer, J.A. Cherry, and B.L. Parker, 2018. Vadose Zone Gas Migration and Surface Effluxes Following a Controlled Natural Gas Release into an Unconfined Shallow Aquifer, Vadose Zone Journal, 17:180033. https://doi:10.2136/vzj2018.02.0033.

Blackmore, S.R., B. Vriens, B., , M. Sorensen, I. M. Power, L. Smith, S. J Hallam, K. U. Mayer, R. D. Beckie, 2018.  Microbial and geochemical controls on waste rock weathering and drainage quality, Science of the Total Environment, 640-641:1004-1014, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.374.

Blackmore, S., D. Pedretti, K. U. Mayer, L. Smith, R. D. Beckie, 2018. Evaluation of single and dual porosity models for reproducing the release of external and internal tracers from heterogeneous waste rock piles, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 214:65-74, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2018.05.007.

Bea, S. A, D. Su, K. U. Mayer, and K.T.B. MacQuarrie, 2018. Evaluation of the potential for dissolved oxygen ingress into deep sedimentary basins during a glaciation event, Geofluids, https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9475741.

Cahill A., B. L Parker, B.  Mayer, K. U.  Mayer and J. A Cherry, 2018. High-resolution spatial and temporal evolution of dissolved gases in groundwater during a controlled natural gas release experiment, Science of the Total Environment, 622-623:1178–1192, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.049.

2017

Skierszkan, E.K., J. S. Stockwell, J.W. Dockrey, D. Weis, R. D. Beckie, and K. U. Mayer, 2017. Molybdenum stable isotopic variations as indicators of Mo attenuation in mine waste rock, Applied Geochemistry, 87:71-83.

Chong, A.D. and K.U. Mayer, 2017. Unintentional contaminant transfer from groundwater to the vadose zone during source zone remediation of volatile organic compounds, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 204:1-10

Su, D., K.U. Mayer and K. T. B. MacQuarrie, 2017. Parallelization of MIN3P-THCm: a high performance computational framework for subsurface flow and reactive transport simulation, Environmental Modelling and Software, 95:271-282       

Hirsche, D.T., R. Blaskovich, K.U. Mayer, R.D. Beckie, 2017. A study of Zn and Mo attenuation by waste rock mixing in neutral mine drainage from the Antamina mine in Peru using mixed material field barrels and humidity cells, Applied Geochemistry, 84:114-125    

Harrison, A.L., G.M. Dipple, W. Song, I.M. Power, K.U. Mayer, A. Beinlich, D. Sinton, 2017. Changes in mineral reactivity driven by pore fluid mobility in partially wetted porous media, Chemical Geology, 463:1-11    

Pedretti, D., K. U. Mayer and R. D. Beckie, 2017. Effective neutralizing capacity of mineralogically heterogeneous waste rock piles: a stochastic multicomponent reactive transport analysis, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 201:30-38

Cahill, A.G., C.M. Steelman, .O Forde, O. Kuloyo, S.E. Ruff, B. Mayer, K.U. Mayer, M. Strous, M.C. Ryan, J.A. Cherry, and B.L. Parker, 2017. Methane Mobility and Fate in Groundwater Determined from a Controlled Release Field Experiment, Nature Geoscience, doi:10.1038/ngeo2919

Li L, K.  Maher, A.  Navarre-Sitchler, J.  Druhan, C. Meile, C. Lawrence, J. Moore, J. Perdrial, P. Sullivan, A.  Thompson, L Jin, E. W.  Bolton, S. L. Brantley, W.  Dietrich, K. U.  Mayer, C. I. Steefel, A.  Valocchi, J.  Zachara, B.  Kocar, J.  Mcintosh, C. Bao, B. M. Tutolo, J.  Beisman, M.  Kumar, and E. Sonnenthal, 2017.  Expanding the Role of Reactive Transport Models in Earth Surface Processes, Earth Science Reviews, 165:280–301

2016

Espeleta, J. F., Z. G. Cardon, K. U. Mayer, and R. B. Neumann, 2016. Nutrient hotspots in the rhizosphere generated by diel oscillation in rhizosphere water flow and soil cation exchange, Plant and Soil, doi:10.1007/s11104-016-3089-5

Lorca, M. E., K. U. Mayer, D.  Pedretti, L. Smith, and R. D. Beckie, 2016. Spatial and Temporal Fluctuations of Pore-Gas Composition in Sulfidic Mine Waste Rock, Vadose Zone Journal, doi:10.2136/vzj2016.05.0039.

Sihota, N.J., J. Trost, B. A. Bekins, A. Berg, G. Delin, B. Mason, E. Warren, and K. U. Mayer, 2016. Seasonal variability in vadose zone biodegradation at a crude oil pipeline rupture site, Vadose Zone Journal, doi: 10.2136/vzj2015.09.0125

Bea S.A, Mayer K.U, MacQuarrie T.B. 2016. Reactive transport and thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling in deep sedimentary basins affected by glaciation cycles: model development, verification, and illustrative example. GEOFLUIDS. 16:279-300.

De Baere B, Molins S, Mayer K.U, Francois R. 2016. Determination of mineral dissolution regimes using flow-through time-resolved analysis (FT-TRA) and numerical simulation. CHEMICAL GEOLOGY. 430:1-12.

Harrison AL, Dipple GM, Power IM, Mayer K.U. 2016. The impact of evolving mineral-water-gas interfacial areas on mineral-fluid reaction rates in unsaturated porous media. CHEMICAL GEOLOGY. 421:65-80.

Skierszkan E.K, Mayer K.U, Wise S, Beckie R. 2016. Molybdenum and zinc stable isotope variation in mining waste rock drainage and waste rock at the Antamina mine, Peru. Science of the Total Environment. 550:103-113.

2015

Doyle JM, Gleeson T, Manning AH, Mayer K.U. 2015. Using noble gas tracers to constrain a groundwater flow model with recharge elevations: A novel approach for mountainous terrain. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH. 51:8094-8113.

Steefel C.I, Appelo C.AJ, Arora B., Jacques D., Kalbacher T., Kolditz O., Lagneau V., Lichtner P.C, Mayer K.U, Meeussen J.CL et al.. 2015. Reactive transport codes for subsurface environmental simulation. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:445-478.

Greskowiak J, Gwo J, Jacques D, Yin J, Mayer K.U. 2015. A benchmark for multi-rate surface complexation and 1D dual-domain multi-component reactive transport of U(VI). COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:585-597.

Steefel CI, Yabusaki SB, Mayer K.U. 2015. Reactive transport benchmarks for subsurface environmental simulation. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:439-443.

S. Sengoer S, Mayer K.U, Greskowiak J, Wanner C, Su D, Prommer H. 2015. A reactive transport benchmark on modeling biogenic uraninite re-oxidation by Fe(III)-(hydr)oxides. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:569-583.

Perko J, Mayer K.U, Kosakowski G, DeWindt L, Govaerts J, Jacques D, Su D, Meeussen JCL. 2015. Decalcification of cracked cement structures. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:673-693.

Alt-Epping P., Tournassat C., Rasouli P., Steefel C.I, Mayer K.U, Jenni A., Maeder U., Sengor S.S, Fernandez R.. 2015. Benchmark reactive transport simulations of a column experiment in compacted bentonite with multispecies diffusion and explicit treatment of electrostatic effects. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:535-550.

Xie M, Mayer K.U, Claret F, Alt-Epping P, Jacques D, Steefel C, Chiaberge C, Simunek J. 2015. Implementation and evaluation of permeability-porosity and tortuosity-porosity relationships linked to mineral dissolution-precipitation. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:655-671.

Rasouli P, Steefel CI, Mayer K.U, Rolle M. 2015. Benchmarks for multicomponent diffusion and electrochemical migration. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:523-533.

Marty NCM, Bildstein O, Blanc P, Claret F, Cochepin B, Gaucher EC, Jacques D, Lartigue J-E, Liu S, Mayer K.U et al.. 2015. Benchmarks for multicomponent reactive transport across a cement/clay interface. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:635-653.

Molins S, Greskowiak J, Wanner C, Mayer K.U. 2015. A benchmark for microbially mediated chromium reduction under denitrifying conditions in a biostimulation column experiment. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:479-496.

Mayer K.U, Alt-Epping P, Jacques D, Arora B, Steefel CI. 2015. Benchmark problems for reactive transport modeling of the generation and attenuation of acid rock drainage. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 19:599-611.

Harrison AL, Dipple GM, Power IM, Mayer K.U. 2015. Influence of surface passivation and water content on mineral reactions in unsaturated porous media: Implications for brucite carbonation and CO2 sequestration. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA. 148:477-495.

Hendry M.J, Solomon D.K, Person M., Wassenaar L.I, Gardner W.P, Clark I.D, Mayer K.U, Kunimaru T., Nakata K., Hasegawa T.. 2015. Can argillaceous formations isolate nuclear waste? Insights from isotopic, noble gas, and geochemical profiles GEOFLUIDS. 15

Sihota N.J, Mayer K.U. 2015. Comparison of Source Zone Natural Attenuation Rates At Crude Oil and Ethanol-Blended Fuel Release Sites. BIOREMEDIATION JOURNAL. 19:218-230.

De Baere B, François R, Mayer K.U. 2015. Measuring mineral dissolution kinetics using on-line flow-through time resolved analysis (FT-TRA): an exploratory study with forsterite. Chemical Geology. 413:107-118.

2014

Yin J, Jeen S-W, Lee DR, Mayer K.U. 2014. Reactive transport modeling of Sr-90 sorption in reactive sandpacks. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. 280:685-695.

Jones KL, Lindsay MBJ, Kipfer R, Mayer K.U. 2014. Atmospheric noble gases as tracers of biogenic gas dynamics in a shallow unconfined aquifer. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA. 128:144-157.

Dockrey JW, Lindsay MBJ, Mayer K.U, Beckie R, Norlund KLI, Warren LA, Southam G. 2014. Acidic Microenvironments in Waste Rock Characterized by Neutral Drainage: Bacteria-Mineral Interactions at Sulfide Surfaces. MINERALS. 4:170-190.

Wilson SA, Harrison AL, Dipple GM, Power IM, Barker SLL, Mayer K.U, Fallon SJ, Raudsepp M, Southam G. 2014. Offsetting of CO2 emissions by air capture in mine tailings at the Mount Keith Nickel Mine, Western Australia: Rates, controls and prospects for carbon neutral mining. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL. 25:121-140.

Hers I, Jourabchi P, Lahvis MA, Dahlen P, E. Luo H, Johnson P, DeVaull GE, Mayer K.U. 2014. Evaluation of Seasonal Factors on Petroleum Hydrocarbon Vapor Biodegradation and Intrusion Potential in a Cold Climate. GROUND WATER MONITORING AND REMEDIATION. 34:60-78.

Blackmore S, Smith L, Mayer K.U, Beclde RD. 2014. Comparison of unsaturated flow and solute transport through waste rock at two experimental scales using temporal moments and numerical modeling. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 171:49-65.

2013

Loomer DB, Scott L, Al TA, Mayer K.U, Bea S. 2013. Diffusion-reaction studies in low permeability shale using X-ray radiography with cesium. APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY. 39:49-58.

Holden A.A, Haque S.E, Mayer K.U, Ulrich A.C. 2013. Biogeochemical processes controlling the mobility of major ions and trace metals in aquitard sediments beneath an oil sand tailing pond: Laboratory studies and reactive transport modeling. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 151:55-67.

Sihota NJ, Mayer K.U, Toso MA, Atwater JF. 2013. Methane emissions and contaminant degradation rates at sites affected by accidental releases of denatured fuel-grade ethanol. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 151:1-15.

2012

Sihota NJ, Mayer K.U. 2012. Characterizing Vadose Zone Hydrocarbon Biodegradation Using Carbon Dioxide Effluxes, Isotopes, and Reactive Transport Modeling. VADOSE ZONE JOURNAL. 11

Bea S.A, Wilson S.A, Mayer K.U, Dipple G.M, Power I.M, Gamazo P.. 2012. Reactive Transport Modeling of Natural Carbon Sequestration in Ultramafic Mine Tailings. VADOSE ZONE JOURNAL. 11

Conlan MJW, Mayer K.U, Blaskovich R, Beckie R. 2012. Solubility controls for molybdenum in neutral rock drainage. GEOCHEMISTRY-EXPLORATION ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS. 12:21-31.

Holden A.A, Mayer K.U, Ulrich A.C. 2012. Evaluating methods for quantifying cation exchange in mildly calcareous sediments in Northern Alberta. APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY. 27:2511-2523.

2011

Marica F, Jofre SAndres Bea, Mayer K.U, Balcom BJ, Al TA. 2011. Determination of spatially-resolved porosity, tracer distributions and diffusion coefficients in porous media using MRI measurements and numerical simulations. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 125:47-56.

Loomer DB, Al TA, Banks VJ, Parker BL, Mayer K.U. 2011. Manganese and trace-metal mobility under reducing conditions following in situ oxidation of TCE by KMnO4: A laboratory column experiment. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 119:13-24.

Sihota NI, Singurindy O, Mayer K.U. 2011. CO2-Efflux Measurements for Evaluating Source Zone Natural Attenuation Rates in a Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminated Aquifer. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. 45:482-488.

Masue-Slowey Y, Kocar BD, Jofre SAndres Bea, Mayer K.U, Fendorf S. 2011. Transport Implications Resulting from Internal Redistribution of Arsenic and Iron within Constructed Soil Aggregates. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. 45:582-588.

2010

Molins S., Mayer K.U, Amos R.T, Bekins B.A. 2010. Vadose zone attenuation of organic compounds at a crude oil spill site - Interactions between biogeochemical reactions and multicomponent gas transport. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 112:15-29.

MacQuarrie K.TB, Mayer K.U, Jin B., Spiessl S.M. 2010. The importance of conceptual models in the reactive transport simulation of oxygen ingress in sparsely fractured crystalline rock. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 112:64-76.

Carrayrou J, Hoffmann J, Knabner P, Kraeutle S, de Dieuleveult C, Erhel J, van der Lee J, Lagneau V., Mayer K.U, MacQuarrie KTB. 2010. Comparison of numerical methods for simulating strongly nonlinear and heterogeneous reactive transport problems-the MoMaS benchmark case. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 14:483-502.

Mayer K.U, MacQuarrie KTB. 2010. Solution of the MoMaS reactive transport benchmark with MIN3P-model formulation and simulation results. COMPUTATIONAL GEOSCIENCES. 14:405-419.

Loomer DB, Al TA, Banks VJ, Parker BL, Mayer K.U. 2010. Manganese Valence in Oxides Formed from in Situ Chemical Oxidation of TCE by KMnO4. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. 44:5934-5939.

2009

Oiffer A.AL, Barker J.F, Gervais F.M, Mayer K.U, Ptacek C.J, Rudolph D.L. 2009. A detailed field-based evaluation of naphthenic acid mobility in groundwater. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 108:89-106.

Tufano KJ, Benner SG, Mayer K.U, Marcus MA, Nico PS, Fendorf S. 2009. Aggregate-Scale Heterogeneity in Iron (Hydr)oxide Reductive Transformations. VADOSE ZONE JOURNAL. 8:1004-1012.

Henderson TH, Mayer K.U, Parker BL, Al TA. 2009. Three-dimensional density-dependent flow and multicomponent reactive transport modeling of chlorinated solvent oxidation by potassium permanganate. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 106:195-211.

2008

Miller GR, Rubin Y, Mayer K.U, Benito PH. 2008. Modeling vadose zone processes during land application of food-processing waste water in California's Central Valley. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. 37:S43-S57.

Molins S., Mayer K.U, Scheutz C., Kjeldsen P.. 2008. Transport and reaction processes affecting the attenuation of landfill gas in cover soils. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. 37:459-468.

Spiessl S.M, MacQuarrie K.TB, Mayer K.U. 2008. Identification of key parameters controlling dissolved oxygen migration and attenuation in fractured crystalline rocks. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 95:141-153.

Gerard F., Mayer K.U, Hodson M.J, Ranger J.. 2008. Modelling the biogeochemical cycle of silicon in soils: Application to a temperate forest ecosystem. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA. 72:741-758.

2007

Cave L, Hartog N, Al T, Parker B, Mayer K.U, Cogswell S. 2007. Electrical monitoring of in situ chemical oxidation by permanganate. GROUND WATER MONITORING AND REMEDIATION. 27:77-84.

Molins S., Mayer K.U. 2007. Coupling between geochemical reactions and multicomponent gas and solute transport in unsaturated media: A reactive transport modeling study. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH. 43

Williams R.L, Mayer K.U, Amos R.T, Blowes D.W, Ptacek C.J, Bain J.G. 2007. Using dissolved gas analysis to investigate the performance of an organic carbon permeable reactive barrier for the treatment of mine drainage. APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY. 22:90-108.

Jeen S-W, Mayer K.U, Gillham RW, Blowes DW. 2007. Reactive transport modeling of trichloroethene treatment with declining reactivity of iron. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. 41:1432-1438.

2006

Amos RT, Mayer K.U. 2006. Investigating the role of gas bubble formation and entrapment in contaminated aquifers: Reactive transport modelling. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 87:123-154.

Amos RT, Mayer K.U. 2006. Investigating ebullition in a sand column using dissolved gas analysis and reactive transport modeling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. 40:5361-5367.

Al TA, Banks V, Loomer D, Parker BL, Mayer K.U. 2006. Metal mobility during in situ chemical oxidation of TCE by KMnO4. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 88:137-152.

Brookfield A.E, Blowes D.W, Mayer K.U. 2006. Integration of field measurements and reactive transport modelling to evaluate contaminant transport at a sulfide mine tailings impoundment. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 88:1-22.

Mayer K.U, Benner SG, Blowes DW. 2006. Process-based reactive transport modeling of a permeable reactive barrier for the treatment of mine drainage. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 85:195-211.

Nowack B., Mayer K.U, Oswald S.E, van Beinum W., Appelo C.AJ, Jacques D., Seuntjens P., Gerard F., Jaillard B., Schnepf A. et al.. 2006. Verification and intercomparison of reactive transport codes to describe root-uptake. PLANT AND SOIL. 285:305-321.

2005

MacQuarrie KTB, Mayer K.U. 2005. Reactive transport modeling in fractured rock: A state-of-the-science review. EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS. 72:189-227.

Amos RT, Mayer K.U, Bekins BA, Delin GN, Williams RL. 2005. Use of dissolved and vapor-phase gases to investigate methanogenic degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in the subsurface. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH. 41

2004

Gerard F, Tinsley M, Mayer K.U. 2004. Preferential flow revealed by hydrologic modeling based on predicted hydraulic properties. SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL. 68:1526-1538.

Jurjovec J, Blowes DW, Ptacek CJ, Mayer K.U. 2004. Multicomponent reactive transport modeling of acid neutralization reactions in mine tailings. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH. 40

Amos RT, Mayer K.U, Blowes DW, Ptacek CJ. 2004. Reactive transport modeling of column experiments for the remediation of acid mine drainage. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. 38:3131-3138.

2003

Watson IA, Oswald SE, Mayer K.U, Wu YX, Banwart SA. 2003. Modeling kinetic processes controlling hydrogen and acetate concentrations in an aquifer-derived microcosm. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. 37:3910-3919.

Romano CG, Mayer K.U, Jones DR, Ellerbroek DA, Blowes DW. 2003. Effectiveness of various cover scenarios on the rate of sulfide oxidation of mine tailings. JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY. 271:171-187.

2002

Mayer K.U, Frind EO, Blowes DW. 2002. Multicomponent reactive transport modeling in variably saturated porous media using a generalized formulation for kinetically controlled reactions. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH. 38

Benner SG, Blowes DW, Ptacek CJ, Mayer K.U. 2002. Rates of sulfate reduction and metal sulfide precipitation in a permeable reactive barrier. APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY. 17:301-320.

2001

Bain JG, Mayer K.U, Blowes DW, Frind EO, Molson JWH, Kahnt R, Jenk U. 2001. Modelling the closure-related geochemical evolution of groundwater at a former uranium mine. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 52:109-135.

Mayer K.U, Benner SG, Frind EO, Thornton SF, Lerner DN. 2001. Reactive transport modeling of processes controlling the distribution and natural attenuation of phenolic compounds in a deep sandstone aquifer. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY. 53:341-368.

Mayer K.U, Blowes DW, Frind EO. 2001. Reactive transport modeling of an in situ reactive barrier for the treatment of hexavalent chromium and trichloroethylene in groundwater. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH. 37:3091-3103.

1998

Leeming GJS, Mayer K.U, Simpson RB. 1998. Effects of chemical reactions on iterative methods for implicit time stepping. ADVANCES IN WATER RESOURCES. 22:333-347.