The thermal springs of bockfjord, svalbard: occurrence and major ion hydrochemistry

“…In polar regions, however, springs are not as common as in other climate zones due to the widespread existence of permafrost, and they have not been exten− sively studied. Most previous works have focused on thermal springs, for example, in the Canadian Arctic (Pollard 2005; Omelon et al 2006) and in Svalbard (Krawczyk 1989;Pociask−Karteczka 1989;Lauritzen and Bottrell 1994;Banks et al 1998;Salvigsen and Hogvard 1998) and springs related to subpermafrost wa− ters, often in karst regions (e.g. Pulina and Postnov 1989;Haldorsen et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the immediate importance of polar springs seems to be minor, some is− sues on springs in cold regions may be crucial for the consideration of such prob− lems as potential water sources on Mars (Andersen et al 2002). Banks et al (1998) classified the springs on Spitsbergen into three types: springs deriving from sub−permafrost groundwater systems, thermal springs and springs generated during the short polar summer. The groundwater outflows described in the present paper belong to the last type.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence and temporal variations of groundwater outflows in the Petuniabukta region, Spitsbergen

Szczucińska

2011

Polish Polar Research

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Abstract:The occurrence and temporal variations of polar shallow groundwater systems and associated seasonal springs and seeps are studied using the example of springs and seeps in the vicinity of the eastern coast of Petuniabukta in central Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Altogether, 37 groundwater outflows were documented. The outflows were mostly located at the foot of talus slopes and were characterised by small discharges (<1 dm 3 s −1 ). The water emerging from the outflows varied widely in terms of temperature and specific electrical conductivity (SpC). These outflows were supplied mainly by water from permafrost, melt− ing snowfields and rainfall. Daily changes were studied in four of the outflows during July 2006. The observed water discharges ranged from 0.04 to 0.7 dm 3 s −1 , and the temporal vari− ations for the particular outflows were on the order of 50% of the average value. The water temperature amplitude for particular outflows was up to 1.5°C. The SpC was approximately 200 μScm −1 and increased with time by almost 40 μScm −1 in the case of two outflows drain− ing talus slopes. The water emerging from two springs in carbonate and sulphate rocks had an SpC up to 1295 μScm −1 , and in one case, its increase with time was observed to be 300 μScm −1 . The increase in the SpC with time probably reflects a decrease in the contribution of snow meltwater in the groundwater recharge. Among the major local factors affecting the groundwater outflows' water quality and discharge rate were the following: geomorphol− ogy, rock type, meteorological conditions, state of permafrost and local water storage.

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“…On Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian High Arctic (79°26′N), mineralized springs occur that are not associated with meteoric water recharge (Pollard et al, 1999). Thermal springs occur on Svalbard that are related to deep crustal faulting (Banks et al, 1998). However, these examples differ importantly from the McMurdo Dry Valleys seep occurrences either in their scale or their probable sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solute and isotope geochemistry of subsurface ice melt seeps in Taylor Valley, Antarctica

Harris

Carey

Lyons

et al. 2007

Geological Society of America Bulletin

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The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are a polar desert region with watersheds dominated by glacial melt. Recent ground exploration reveals unusual surface-fl ow-seep features not directly supplied by glacial melt. Much of this seep water is potentially derived from permafrost, snow patches, refrozen precipitation accumulated in the subsurface, buried glacier ice, or even groundwater from the deep subsurface. Flow features that lack obvious glacier melt sources were identifi ed in archived aerial photographs of Taylor Valley. This valley was surveyed for extant and extinct seeps, and the locations of geomorphic features in fi ve active seeps were documented. Water samples from seeps were analyzed for major ions and stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen. Solute chemistry and isotopic signatures of seeps are distinct from those of nearby streams and glaciers, with the seeps having elevated solute concentrations.All but one seep had water isotopically heavier than water from nearby glaciers and streams, suggesting that seep waters have been substantially modifi ed if they had been derived originally from the same meteoric sources that supply local glaciers and streams. The seeps are important because they compose a previously overlooked component of the desert hydrological cycle. Seep features in the dry valleys are potential terrestrial analogs for the geologically young gullies observed on Mars, which are thought to be evidence of groundwater seepage and surface runoff.

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The thermal springs of bockfjord, svalbard: occurrence and major ion hydrochemistry

Cited by 33 publications

References 3 publications

The first magnetotelluric image of the lithospheric-scale geological architecture in central Svalbard, Arctic Norway

The first magnetotelluric image of the lithospheric-scale geological architecture in central Svalbard, Arctic Norway

Occurrence and temporal variations of groundwater outflows in the Petuniabukta region, Spitsbergen

Solute and isotope geochemistry of subsurface ice melt seeps in Taylor Valley, Antarctica

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