Calgary scientists have identified what they consider to be some of the most acidic natural water globally in the Northwest Territories. The impact of climate change is leading to the melting of permafrost and land erosion in the Smoking Hills Formation, resulting in the release of toxic metals and highly acidic substances into rivers, bays, and potentially the Arctic Ocean.
During visits to the area in 2017 and 2023, Geological Survey of Canada researcher Stephen Grasby was struck by the significant levels of toxicity and acidity in the ponds surrounding the Smoking Hills. Grasby expressed awe at nature’s ability to produce extremely toxic acidic waters surpassing industrial sites’ capabilities.
The toxic metals responsible for this phenomenon were enclosed in pyrite, also known as “fool’s gold,” formed underground about 85 million years ago during intense volcanic activity in Arctic Canada. The exposure of pyrite to oxygen due to slumping has caused a surge in heat and the release of large metal quantities into the water bodies near the Smoking Hills.
Grasby observed a notable transformation in the landscape between his visits, with ponds turning black, resembling oil more than water, and exhibiting such high acidity that it challenged the team’s equipment to measure accurately. The ground temperature surrounding the water was too hot to gauge, suggesting temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees Celsius.
The thawing of permafrost due to climate change exacerbates the situation. While permafrost thawing is not new, its consequences are only beginning to be studied, according to Carleton University’s Elliott Skierszkan, a leading expert in geogenic contaminants in groundwater.
The impact of these changes on the environment remains uncertain, with concerns raised about the potential leakage of metals into other bodies of water and the negative effects on river ecosystems. Grasby and Skierszkan emphasize the need for further research to comprehend the Smoking Hills better and the repercussions of climate change in the region.
