Researchers from Calgary have identified what they believe to be some of the most acidic natural water in the world in the Northwest Territories. The acidic water is a result of climate change causing permafrost thawing and land erosion from the Smoking Hills Formation. This process is leading to the release of toxic metals and a highly acidic solution into rivers, bays, and potentially the Arctic Ocean.
Geological Survey of Canada scientist Stephen Grasby visited the site on the territory’s north shore in 2017 and 2023 and was amazed by the extent of toxicity and acidity in the ponds around the Smoking Hills. Grasby mentioned that nature is producing extremely toxic acidic waters, far surpassing what humans could create at an industrial site.
The toxic metals causing this phenomenon were trapped in iron sulfide minerals underground, known as pyrite or “fool’s gold,” around 85 million years ago during active volcanism in Arctic Canada. The recent exposure of pyrite due to slumping has led to the release of large quantities of metals into the surrounding bodies of water.
Grasby noted a significant change in the landscape between his visits, with the ponds turning black and appearing more like oil than water. The high acidity made it challenging for the team’s equipment to measure the pH accurately.
The ground temperature surrounding the water was too hot to measure, indicating temperatures exceeding 1,200°C just below the surface layer. The thawing permafrost, caused by climate change, is exacerbating the situation.
Elliott Skierszkan from Carleton University highlighted that the consequences of permafrost thaw on water quality are a new area of study. Concerns have been raised about the potential environmental impacts of the metal leakage into other bodies of water.
Research is ongoing to understand the effects of the Smoking Hills and the impact of climate change on this unique environment. Grasby emphasized the importance of further research to comprehend the implications of accelerated processes on the pristine Arctic environment.
