Professor of Sedimentology and Geochemistry
Associate Head: Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering
Advisor: Queen鈥檚 Master of Earth and Energy Resources Leadership (MEERL) Program
Chair: Queen鈥檚 Arts and Science Faculty Board
Past Editor-in-Chief:
| Office | Miller Hall 408 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 613-561-4856 |
| peir.pufahl@queensu.ca |
I lead an international, multidisciplinary research program focused on the sedimentology, geochemistry, and economic geology of bioelemental sediments. Bioelemental sediments include phosphorite, iron formation, ironstone, and chert, which are precipitates of the nutrient elements P, Fe, and Si. These rocks are economically important because they are used to manufacture fertilizer, steel, and batteries for the clean energy transition. Because bioelemental sediments actively participate in Earth system evolution they record the interplay between climate, meteorology, and ocean circulation on nutrient cycling and environmental change.
Supervising Information
My students and postdoctoral fellows use a process oriented, interdisciplinary approach to solve sedimentologic problems that result in manuscripts published in top-tier, peer-reviewed journals. International and Canadian-based thesis research interprets the sedimentology, stratigraphy, and geochemistry of bioelemental sediments to understand Earth history. Our research also sheds new light on the factors governing the potential of phosphorite and iron deposits as unconventional sources of critical elements.
Interested? Please contact me!
Awards and Honours
- Fellow Geological Society of America
- Fellow Society of Economic Geologists
- Discovery Award Professional of Distinction Finalist
Teaching
- GEOL 368 Carbonate Sedimentology
- GEOL 488 Geology of North America
- GEOL 401 Field Course Tectonics and Sedimentation of the Taconic Orogeny
- GEOL 840 Graduate Seminar Advanced Sequence Stratigraphy
- Field Trip Modern and Pleistocene Carbonates of Bermuda
Industry Short Courses
- Economic significance and petrogenesis of phosphorite.
- Iron ore genesis, exploration, and production.
Publications
Refereed Book Chapters
Drummond, J.B.R., Wilde, A.R., Layton-Matthews, D., James, N. P. and Pufahl, P.K., 2024. Channel and playa uranium Deposits - Chapter 14. In Bowell, R.J. and Butt, C.R.M. (eds.), Geology, geochemistry and formation of supergene mineral deposits in deeply weathered terrain, Springer. Invited
Murphy, J.B., Nance, D.R., Cawood, P.A., Collins, W.J., Dan, W., Doucet, L.S., Heron, P.J., Li, Z., Mitchell, R.N., Pisarevsky, S., Pufahl, P.K. , Quesada, C., Spencer, C.J., Strachan, R.A., and Wu, L., 2021 . Pannotia: in defence of its existence and geodynamic significance. In Murphy, J.B., Strachan, R.A., and Quesada, C. (eds.), Pannotia to Pangaea: Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic orogenic cycles in the circum-Atlantic region, Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 503, 13-39.
Hiatt, E.E. and Pufahl,P.K., 2014 . Chapter 5: Cathodoluminescence petrography of carbonate rocks: a review of applications for understanding diagenesis, reservoir quality, and pore system evolution, In Coulsen, I.M. (ed.), Cathodoluminescence and its Application to Geoscience, Mineralogical Association of Canada, 75-96. Invited
Pufahl, P.K., 2010. Bioelemental Sediments, In James, N.P. and Dalrymple, R.W. (eds.), Facies Models, 4th Edition, Geological Association of Canada, 477-504. Invited
James, N.P., Kendall, A.C, and Pufahl, P.K., 2010 . Introduction to Bioelemental Sediments. In James, N.P. and Dalrymple, R.W. (eds.), Facies Models, 4th Edition, Geological Association of Canada, 323-340.
Selected Refereed Journal Papers
Campbell, R., Pufahl, P.K., Sinclair, P., Martin, E.L., Joury, M., Raye, U., Polito, P.A., Church, R., and Layton-Matthews, D., 2025. The Neoproterozoic Throssell Range Group, Western Australia: a peri-marginal continental basin in Rodinia and its implications for the Centralian Superbasin. Basin Research. Accepted
DaSilva, L.G., Pufahl, P.K., and James, N.P. 2025 . Interglacial dust, ocean fertilization and Neoproterozoic earth oxygenation. The Depositional Record, 11, 654-674.
James, N.P. and Pufahl, P.K., 2025. Carbonate sedimentology: an evolved discipline. The Depositional Record. 1-41. Invited
Luan, X., Sproat, C.D., Jin, J., Pufahl, P.K., Wu, R., and Zhan, R., 2025. Upwelling-related ferruginous ooids, microbialites and the Darriwilian tipping point of Ordovician climate. Geology, 53, 885-890.
Matheson, E.J., Malone, J.D., Pufahl, P.K., and Hiatt, E.E., 2025. Late Ordovician ironstone and its relation to ocean redox instability, climate, and glaciation. Sedimentology, 72, 631-665.
Njamnsi, N.Y., Ngiamte, G.L., Suh, C.E., Njoh, O.A., Layton-Matthews, D., Pufahl, P.K., and Dobosz, A., 2025. Mineralogy, geochemistry, and stable isotopes in the reconstruction of the paleodepositional environment, provenance, and paleoclimate of Cretaceous mudstones, Koum Basin, Cameroon. Acta Geochimica, 44, 1014-1039.
Raye, U., Polito, P.A., Pufahl, P.K., Drummond, J.B.R., Campbell, R.B., Creaser, R.A., Martin, L., Ribeiro, B.V., Kirkland, C.L., Joury, M., and Ruzicka, J., 2025. Reinterpretation of the geodynamic evolution and multistage mineralization events of the Nifty copper deposit, Paterson Province, Western Australia through age, textural and geochemical data. Ore Geology Reviews, 185.
Banerjee, S., Pufahl, P.K., and Longstaffe, F.J., 2024 . The Lac 脿 l'Orignal phosphate deposit and constraints on high-quality phosphatic ore in massif-type anorthosite, Grenville Province, Canada. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 263, 1-21.
Drummond, J.B.R., Pufahl, P.K., James, N.P., Layton-Matthews, D., and Kyser, T.K., 2024. Sedimentary Dolomite in Western Australia and the dolomite problem: genesis of channel and playa uranium deposits. Sedimentology, 71, 2248-2289.
Fitzgerald, D.M., Narbonne, G.M., Pufahl, P.K., and Dalrymple, R.W., 2024. The Mall Bay Formation (Ediacaran) and the protracted onset of the Gaskiers glaciation in Newfoundland, Canada. Precambrian Research, 405, 1-26.
Knaack, D.R., Leybourne, M.I., Layton-Matthews, D., Drummond, J.B.R., Dobosz, A., and Pufahl, P.K., 2024. Weathering as a control on the triple oxygen isotopes of groundwater-associated ferromanganese deposits: lessons from the Gridlock Ni-Co-Mn prospect, Northern Territory, Australia. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 24, 1-12.
Murphy, J.B., Nance, R.D., Johnston, S. T., Casas, J.M., Cawood, P.A., Matheson, E.J., Pufahl, P.K., Dan, W., Alvaro, J.J., Heron, P.J., and Strachan, R.A., 2024. Speculations on the Paleozoic legacy of Gondwana amalgamation. Gondwana Research, 129, 107-131.
Raye, U., Pufahl, P.K., Banerjee, S., Ricard, E., and T.K. Kyser, 2024. Coupled d56Fe and d18O analysis of the Frere iron formation, Western Australia, and Paleoproterozoic ocean circulation. Precambrian Research, 410, 1-17.
Szczyrba, L., Mulligan, R.P., Pufahl, P.K., Humberston, J., and McNinch, J., 2024. Nearshore flow dynamics over shore-oblique bathymetric features during storm wave conditions. Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans, 129, 1-19.
Chen, F., Wang, Q., Pufahl, P.K., Matheson, E.J., Xian, H., Nan, J., Ma, H., and Deng, J., 2023. Carbonate-hosted manganese deposits and ocean anoxia. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 622, 1-13.
Duda, M.P., Grooms, C., Sympson, L., Blais, J.M., Dagodzo, D., Feng, W., Hayward, K.M., Julius, M.L, Kimpe, L.E., Lambertuca, S.A., Layton-Matthews, D., Lougheed, S.C., Massaferro, J., Mitchelutti, N., Pufahl, P.K. , Vuletich, A., and Smol, J.P., 2023. A 2200-year record of Andean Condor diet and nest site usage reflects natural and anthropogenic stressors. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 290. 1-11.
Knaack, D., Leybourne, M.I., Layton-Matthews, D., Hein, J.R., Stern, R.J., Wysoczanski, R., Faure, K., Al, T., McDonald, A., Dobosz, A., and Pufahl, P.K. , 2023. The role of depositional environment and chemical composition on the triple oxygen isotope ratios of ferromanganese precipitates and their endmember components. Chemical Geology, 642, 1-19.
Szczyrba, L., Mulligan, R.P., Humberston, J., Bak, A. S., McNinch, J., and Pufahl, P.K., 2023. Nearshore wave angles and directional variability during storm events. Coastal Engineering, 185. 1-17.
DaSilva, L.G., Pufahl, P.K., James, N.P., Guimaraes, E., and Reis, C., 2022. Sequence stratigraphy and paleoenvironmental significance of the Neoproterozoic Bambui Group, Central Brazil. Precambrian Research, 379. 1-32.
Matheson, E.J., Pufahl, P.K., Voinot, A., Murphy, J.B., and Fitzgerald, D.M., 2022. Ironstone as a proxy of Paleozoic ocean oxygenation. Earth & Planetary Science Letters, 594, 1-12.
Spencer, C.J., Davies, N.S., Gernon, T.M., Wang, X., McMahon, W.J., Morrell, T.R.I., Hincks, T., Pufahl, P.K., Brasier, A., Seraine, M., and Lu G., 2022. Composition of continental crust altered by the emergence of land plants. Nature Geoscience, 15, 735-740.
Crawford, I., Layton-Matthews, D., Peter, J.M., Gadd, M.G., Vonoit, A., Leybourne, M.I., and Pufahl, P.K., 2021. Application of molybdenum and thallium isotopes as indicators of paleoredox conditions and genesis of hyper-enriched black shale deposits, Peel River, Yukon, Canada. The Canadian Mineralogist, 59, 1085-1110. Invited
Chen, F., Pufahl, P.K., Wang, Q., Matheson, E.J., Zhang, Q., Zeng, Y., Le, X., Ruan, D., and Zhao, Y., 2021. A new model for the genesis of Carboniferous Mn ores, Longtou deposit, South China Block. Economic Geology, 1-24.
Dunn, S.K., Pufahl, P.K., Murphy, J.B., Lokier, S.W. 2021. Middle Ordovician upwelling-related ironstone of North Wales: coated grains, ocean chemistry, and biological evolution. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9, 1-24. Invited
Fayek, M. and Pufahl, P.K., 2021. Preface. The Canadian Mineralogist 59, Special Volume in Memory of T.K. Kyser. The Canadian Mineralogist. 59, 799-801.
Hiatt, E.E., Kyser, T.K., Polito, P.A., Marlatt, J., and Pufahl, P.K. , 2021. The Paleoproterozoic Kombolgie Subgroup (1.8 Ha), McArthur Basin, Australia: sequence stratigraphy, basin evolution and unconformity-related uranium deposits following the Great Oxidation Event. The Canadian Mineralogist, 59, 1049-1083. Invited
Matheson, E.J. and Pufahl, P.K., 2021. Clinton ironstone revisited and evolution of the Silurian Earth. Earth Science Reviews, 215, 1-35.
Knaack, D., Leybourne, M., Layton-Matthews, D., McDonald, A., Vuletich, A., Chipley, D., Silva, L., and Pufahl, P.K., 2020 . Manganese nodules NOD-A-1 and NOD-P-1: implications of pre-treatment on oxygen isotopes mineralogy. Chemical Geology, 558, 1-17.
Chipman, M.D., Grey, M., and Pufahl, P.K., 2020 . Coprolites from a brackish ecosystem in the Pennsylvanian Joggins Formation, Nova Scotia, Canada and their palaeoecological implications. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 538, 1-12.
Pufahl, P.K., Squires, A.D., Murphy, J.B., Quesada, C., Lokier, S.W., A虂lvaro. J.J., and Hatch, J., 2020. Ordovician ironstone of the Iberian margin: Coastal upwelling, ocean anoxia and Paleozoic biodiversity. The Depositional Record, 6, 581-604.
Hiatt, E.E., Pufahl, P.K., and Silva, L.G., 2020 . Iron and phosphorus biochemical systems and the Cryogenian-Ediacaran transition, Jacadigo Basin: implications for the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event. Precambrian Research, 337, 1-12.
Todd, S.E., Pufahl, P.K., Murphy, J.B., and Taylor, K.B., 2019. Sedimentology and oceanography of Early Ordovician ironstone, Bell Island Newfoundland: ferruginous seawater and upwelling in the Rheic Ocean. Sedimentary Geology, 379, 1-15.
Zhang, Y., Pufahl, P.K., Du, Y., Chen, G., Liu, J., Chen, J., and Wang, Z., 2019. Economic phosphorite from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, South China, and the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Phosphogenic Event. Sedimentary Geology, 388, 1-19.
MacNeil, L.A., Pufahl, P.K., and James, N.P., 2018 . Deposition of a saline giant in the Mississippian Windsor Group, Nova Scotia, and the nascent Late Paleozoic Ice Age. Sedimentary Geology, 363, 118-135.
Sampaio, G.M.S., Pufahl, P.K., Raye, U., Kyser, T.K., Abreu, A.T., Alkmim, A.R., and Nalani Jr, H.A., 2018. Influence of weathering and hydrothermal alteration on the REE and 未56Fe composition of iron formation, Cau锚 Formation, Iron Quadrangle, Brazil. Chemical Geology, 497, 27-40.
Caird, R.A.,Pufahl, P.K., Hiatt, E.E., Abram, M.B., Rocha, A.J.D., and Kyser, T.K., 2017. Ediacaran stromatolites and intertidal phosphorite of the Salitre Formation, Brazil: phosphogenesis during the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event. Sedimentary Geology, 350, 55-71.
Pufahl, P.K. and Groat, L.A., 2017. Sedimentary and igneous phosphate deposits: formation and exploration. Economic Geology, 112, 483-516. Invited review
脫 Gog谩in, A., Falcon-Lang, H.J., Carpenter, D.K., Miller, R., Benton, M.J., Pufahl, P.K., Ruta, M., Davies, T.G., Hinds, S.J., and Stimson, M., 2016. Fish and tetrapod communities across a marine to brackish salinity gradient in the Pennsylvanian (early Moscovian) Minto Formation
of New Brunswick, Canada, and their palaeoecological and palaeogeographic implications. Palaeontology, 59, 689-724.
Tosca, N.J., Guggenheim, S., Pufahl, P.K., 2016. An authigenic origin for Precambrian greenalite: implications for iron formation and the chemistry of ancient seawater. GSA Bulletin, 128, 511-530.
Drummond, J.B.R., Pufahl, P.K., Porto, C.G., and Carvalho, M., 2015. Neoproterozoic peritidal phosphorite from the Sete Lagoas Formation (Brazil) and the Precambrian phosphorus cycle. Sedimentology, 62, 1978-2008.
Falcon-Lang, H., Pufahl, P.K., Bashforth, A., Gibling, M., Miller, R. and Minter, N. 2015. A marine incursion in the Lower Pennsylvanian Tynemouth Creek Formation, Canada: implications for paleogeography, stratigraphy and paleoecology . Palaios, 30, 779-791.
Hiatt, E.E., Pufahl, P.K., and Edwards, C.T., 2015. Sedimentary phosphate and associated fossil bacteria in a Paleoproterozoic tidal flat in the 1.85 Ga Michigamme Formation, Michigan, USA. Sedimentary Geology, 319, 24-39.
Raye, U., Pufahl, P.K., Kyser, T.K., Ricard, E., and Hiatt, E.E., 2015. The role of sedimentology, oceanography, and alteration on the d56Fe value of the Sokoman Iron Formation, Labrador Trough, Canada. Geochimica et Cosomochimica Acta, 164, 205-220.
Spooner, I., Pufahl, P.K., Brisco, T., Morrow, J., Nalepa, M., Williams, P., and Stevens, G., 2015 . The North structure: evidence for a possible second impact near the Bloody Creek site, Nova Scotia, Canada. Atlantic Geology, 51, 44-50.
Pufahl, P.K., Anderson, S.L., and Hiatt, E.E., 2014 . Dynamic sedimentation of Paleoproterozoic continental margin iron formation, Labrador Trough, Canada: paleoenvironments and sequence stratigraphy. Sedimentary Geology, 309, 48-65.
Akin, S.J., Pufahl, P.K., Hiatt, E.E., and Pirajno, F., 2013. Oxygenation of shallow marine environments and chemical sedimentation in Paleoproterozoic peritidal settings: Frere Formation, Western Australia. Sedimentology, 60, 1559-1799.
Eriksson, P.G., Banerjee, S., Catuneanu, O., Corcoran, P.L., Eriksson K.A., Hiatt, E.E., Laflamme, M., Lenhardt, N., Long, D.G.F., Miall, A.D., Mints, M.V., Pufahl, P.K., Sarkar, S., Simpson, E.L., Williams, G.E., 2013. Secular changes in sedimentation systems and sequence stratigraphy. Gondwana Research, 24, 468-489. Invited
Pufahl, P.K., Pirajno, F., and Hiatt, E.E., 2013 . Riverine mixing and fluvial iron formation: a new type of Precambrian biochemical sediment. Geology, 41, 1235-1238 .
Edwards, C.T., Pufahl, P.K., and Hiatt, E.E., 2012 . Paleoenvironmental and taphonomic controls on the occurrence of Paleoproterozoic microbial communities in the 1.88 Ga Ferriman Group, Labrador Trough, Canada. Precambrian Research, 212-213, 91-106.
Grey, M., Finkel, Z.V., Pufahl, P.K., and Reid, L.M., 2012. Evolutionary mode of the ostracod, Velatomorpha altilis , at Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lethaia, 45, 615-623.
Pufahl, P.K. and Hiatt, E.E., 2012. Oxygenation of the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere-ocean system: physical and chemical sedimentologic responses. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 32, 1-20. Invited
Grey, M. and Pufahl, P.K., and Aziz, A., 2011 . Using multiple environmental proxies to determine degree of marine influence and paleogeographical position of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. Palaios, 26, 256-263.
Pufahl, P.K., Hiatt, E.E., and Kyser, T.K., 2011 . Does the Paleoproterozoic Animikie Basin record the sulfidic ocean transition? REPLY. Geology Forum, e242-e243.
Zentmyer, R.A., Pufahl, P.K., James, N.P., and Hiatt, E.E., 2011. Dolomitization on an evaporitic Paleoproterozoic ramp: widespread synsedimentary dolomite in the Denault Formation, Labrador Trough, Canada. Sedimentary Geology, 238, 16-131 .
Nelson, G.J. and Pufahl, P.K., and Hiatt, E.E. 2010 . Paleooceanographic constraints on Precambrian phosphorite accumulation, Baraga Group, Michigan, USA. Sedimentary Geology , 226, 9-21.
Pufahl, P.K., Hiatt, E.E., and Kyser, T.K., 2010 . Does the Paleoproterozoic Animikie Basin record the sulfidic ocean transition? Geology, 38, 659-662.
Spooner, I.S., Stevens, G., Morrow, J.R., Pufahl, P.K., Grieve, R., Raeside, R.P., Pilon, J., Stanley, C.R. Barr, S.M., and McMullin, D., 2009. Identification of the Bloody Creek structure, possible bolide impact crater in south-western Nova Scotia, Canada. Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 44, 1193-1202.
Pufahl, P.K., Hiatt, E.E., Stanley, C.R., Morrow, J.R., Nelson, G.J., and Edwards, C.T., 2007. Physical and chemical evidence of the 1850 Ma Sudbury impact event in the Baraga Group, Michigan. Geology, 35, 827-830.
Sadaqah, R.M., Abed, A.M., Grimm, K.A., and Pufahl, P.K., 2007. Oxygen and carbon isotopes in Jordanian phosphorites and associated fossils. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 29, 803-812.
Pufahl, P.K. and James, N.P., 2006. Monospecific Plicoene oyster buildups, Murray Basin, South Australia: brackish water end member of the reef spectrum. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeocology, 233, 11-33.
Fralick, P.W. and Pufahl, P.K., 2006. Iron Formation in Neoarchean Deltaic Successions and the Microbially Mediated Deposition of Transgressive Systems Tracts. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 76, 1057-1066.
Pufahl, P.K., James, N.P., Kyser, T.K., Lukasik, J.J., and Bone, Y., 2006. Brachiopods in epeiric seas as monitors of secular changes in ocean chemistry: a Miocene example from the Murray Basin, South Australia. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 76, 926-941.
Pufahl, P.K., James, N.P., Bone, Y., and Lukasik, J.J., 2004 . Pliocene sedimentation in a shallow, cool-water, estuarine gulf, Murray Basin, South Australia. Sedimentology, 51, 997-1027.
Pufahl, P.K. and Fralick, P.W., 2004, Depositional controls on Paleoproterozoic iron formation accumulation, Gogebic Range, Lake Superior Region, USA. Sedimentology, 51, 791-808.
Pufahl, P.K. and Grimm, K.A., 2003. Coated phosphate grains: Proxy for physical, chemical and ecological changes in sea water. Geology, 31, 801-804.
Pufahl, P.K., Grimm, K.A., Abed, A.M., and Sadaqah, R.M.Y., 2003. Upper Cretaceous phosphorites in Jordan: implications for the formation of a south Tethyan phosphorite giant. Sedimentary Geology, 161, 175-205.