Calgary scientists have identified what they believe to be some of the most acidic natural water in the world in the Northwest Territories. The impact of climate change is causing the thawing of permafrost and land erosion from the Smoking Hills Formation, leading to the release of toxic metals and highly acidic solutions into rivers, bays, and possibly the Arctic Ocean.
Research scientist Stephen Grasby from the Geological Survey of Canada visited the site on the north shore of the territory in 2017 and 2023, where he was amazed by the scale of the toxicity and acidity in the ponds around the Smoking Hills. Grasby expressed his awe at nature’s ability to produce incredibly toxic acidic waters, surpassing what humans can create at industrial sites.
The natural phenomenon of extreme acidity is caused by toxic metals trapped in pyrite, also known as “fool’s gold,” buried underground during active volcanism in Arctic Canada 85 million years ago. The exposure of pyrite to oxygen due to slumping has led to the release of high quantities of metals into the surrounding bodies of water.
Grasby observed a significant transformation in the landscape between his visits, with the ponds turning black and resembling oil more than water, making it challenging for their equipment to accurately measure the pH level due to its extreme acidity. Additionally, evidence of melted rock suggested temperatures exceeding 1,200°C just beneath the surface layer, creating a unique phenomenon known as paralava.
The ongoing thawing of permafrost due to climate change exacerbates the situation, impacting water quality in the region. Researchers are concerned about the unknown environmental effects and the potential for metals to leak into other water bodies, endangering river ecosystems downstream.
Grasby and Skierszkan emphasized the need for further research to comprehensively understand the impact of climate change on the Smoking Hills and its surroundings. They hope their findings will not only benefit the local community but also inspire more investigations into the implications of these accelerating processes on the pristine Arctic environment.