Calgary scientists have identified some of the most acidic natural water in the world in the Northwest Territories. The thawing of permafrost and erosion from the Smoking Hills Formation, driven by climate change, is causing toxic metals and highly acidic substances to seep into nearby water bodies, including rivers, bays, and possibly the Arctic Ocean.
During visits in 2017 and 2023, Geological Survey of Canada researcher Stephen Grasby was struck by the extent of toxicity and acidity in the ponds surrounding the Smoking Hills. The toxic metals responsible for this phenomenon were trapped in pyrite, or “fool’s gold,” buried underground millions of years ago during a period of volcanic activity in Arctic Canada. These metals are now being released into the environment due to increased exposure of pyrite to oxygen caused by slumping.
Grasby observed significant changes in the landscape between his visits, with ponds turning black and having such high acidity that pH meters couldn’t accurately measure them. Additionally, evidence suggested that temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees Celsius were present just beneath the surface, leading to the formation of hot rocks known as paralava.
The melting permafrost, attributed to climate change, is exacerbating the situation by exposing the ground to erosion. This thawing is a relatively new phenomenon with emerging implications for water quality, as highlighted by Carleton University’s Elliott Skierszkan, a leading expert in geogenic contaminants in groundwater.
The potential environmental impacts of these processes remain largely unknown, raising concerns about the leakage of metals into other water bodies. Grasby and Skierszkan emphasize the need for further research to comprehend the implications of climate change on the Smoking Hills region and its pristine Arctic environment.
