The source, fate, and transport of arsenic in the Yellowstone hydrothermal system - An overview

McCleskey, R. B.; Nordstrom, D. Kirk; Hurwitz, Shaul; Colman, Daniel R.; Roth, David A.; Johnson, Madeline; Boyd, Eric S.

doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2022.107709

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 124 publications

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“…Several other significant correlates to the NMDS ordination including silica (Si; R 2 = 0.45, p < 0.001), magnesium (Mg 2+ ; R 2 = 0.39, p < 0.001), potassium (K + ; R 2 = 0.37, p < 0.001), calcium (Ca 2+ ; R 2 = 0.23, p < 0.01), Cl − ( R 2 = 0.23, p < 0.01), sodium (Na + ; R 2 = 0.19, p < 0.01), and arsenic (As; R 2 = 0.18, p < 0.05) concentrations exhibited variation that was largely associated with differences in YNP and Iceland hot spring communities (Figure 3; Supplementary Figure 7). Again, such variation potentially reflects differences in high‐temperature water‐rock interactions that occur in the aquifers sourcing these springs that are hosted in rhyolitic (Si, Cl and As) or basaltic bedrock (Mg and Ca) (Arnórsson, 1995; McCleskey et al, 2022; Planer‐Friedrich et al, 2020).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tectonic and geological setting influence hot spring microbiology

Colman

Veach

Stefánsson

et al. 2023

Environmental Microbiology

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Hydrothermal systems form at divergent and convergent boundaries of lithospheric plates and within plates due to weakened crust and mantle plumes, playing host to diverse microbial ecosystems. Little is known of how differences in tectonic setting influence the geochemical and microbial compositions of these hydrothermal ecosystems. Here, coordinated geochemical and microbial community analyses were conducted on 87 high‐temperature (>65°C) water and sediment samples from hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA (n = 41; mantle plume setting), Iceland (n = 41, divergent boundary), and Japan (n = 5; convergent boundary). Region‐specific variation in geochemistry and sediment‐associated 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence variant (ASV) composition was observed, with 16S rRNA gene assemblages being nearly completely distinguished by region and pH being the most explanatory parameter within regions. Several low abundance ASVs exhibited cosmopolitan distributions across regions, while most high‐abundance ASVs were only identified in specific regions. The presence of some cosmopolitan ASVs across regions argues against dispersal limitation primarily shaping the distribution of taxa among regions. Rather, the results point to local tectonic and geologic characteristics shaping the geochemistry of continental hydrothermal systems that then select for distinct microbial assemblages. These results provide new insights into the co‐evolution of hydrothermal systems and their microbial communities.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tectonic and geological setting influence hot spring microbiology

Colman

Veach

Stefánsson

et al. 2023

Environmental Microbiology

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“…Reduced arsenic species (e.g. arsenite) are particularly abundant in alkaline-chloride hot springs of YNP and are a consequence of water–rock interaction in the hydrothermal aquifer that is hosted in rhyolitic bedrock ( 71 , 72 ). Thus, the capacity to use reduced arsenic species as an electron donor may be a unique adaptation of the dominant autotrophic populations ( Thermocrinis ) inhabiting geysers that are sourced by the deep hydrothermal aquifer in YNP.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An active microbiome in Old Faithful geyser

2023

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Natural thermal geysers are hot springs that periodically erupt liquid water, steam, and gas. They are found in only a few locations worldwide, with nearly half located in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Old Faithful Geyser (OFG) is the most iconic in YNP and attracts millions of visitors annually. Despite extensive geophysical and hydrological study of geysers, including OFG, far less is known of the microbiology of geysed waters. Here, we report geochemical and microbiological data from geysed vent water and vent water that collects in a splash pool adjacent to OFG during eruptions. Both waters contained microbial cells and radiotracer studies showed they fixed carbon dioxide (CO2) when incubated at 70°C and 90°C. Shorter lag times in CO2 fixation activity were observed in vent and splash pool waters incubated at 90°C than 70°C, suggesting cells are better adapted or acclimated to temperatures like those in the OFG vent (∼92-93°C). 16S rDNA and metagenomic sequence data indicated that both communities are dominated by Thermocrinis, which likely fuels productivity through the aerobic oxidation of sulfide/thiosulfate in erupted waters or steam. Dominant OFG populations, including Thermocrinis and subdominant Thermus and Pyrobaculum strains, exhibited high strain level genomic diversity (putative ecotypes) relative to populations from non-geysing YNP hot springs that is attributed to the temporal chemical and temperature dynamics caused by eruptions. These findings show that OFG is habitable and that its eruption dynamics promote genomic diversity, while highlighting the need to further research the extent of life in geyser systems such as OFG.

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“…High arsenic concentrations at these sites may be influenced by deep mantle mixing [26] and carbonate concentrations in groundwater [54]. Relationships between high arsenic and travertine have been found throughout the western United States, including Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park of Wyoming [55] and Montezuma Well located in the Verde Valley of Arizona [56,57] Groundwater in Arizona, like much of the southwestern United States, has elevated arsenic concentrations when compared to the rest of the United States [14]. In drinking-water wells in the southwestern United States, arsenic was found to exceed the MCL more than twice as frequently than in drinking-water wells in the United States as a whole [52].…”

Section: Assessment Of Arsenic In Groundwater In the Grand Canyon Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…High arsenic concentrations at these sites may be influenced by deep mantle mixing[26] and carbonate concentrations in groundwater[54]. Relationships between high arsenic and travertine have been found throughout the western United States, including Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park of Wyoming[55] and Montezuma Well located in the Verde Valley of Arizona[56,57], and likely represent groundwater mixing with deep-earth hydrothermal fluids containing elevated arsenic concentrations [41]. Other groundwater sites with elevated arsenic concentrations do not have a clear source.…”

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confidence: 99%

Arsenic in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region and an evaluation of potential pathways for arsenic contamination of groundwater from breccia pipe uranium mining

2023

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The Grand Canyon in northern Arizona is an international tourist destination, a home or sacred place to many Native Americans, and hosts some of the highest-grade uranium deposits in the United States. Although potential contamination of water resources by uranium from mining activities is a concern, other elements commonly associated with these uranium deposits may pose a greater risk to human populations in the area. This study presents an assessment of arsenic in groundwater in the Grand Canyon area. First, sampling results for arsenic are presented and areas with elevated arsenic concentrations are discussed. Potential pathways of groundwater contamination by arsenic from uranium mines are then discussed to elucidate situations and conditions under which elevated concentrations of arsenic might be expected to become mobilized from breccia-pipe uranium mining activities. Results for arsenic in groundwater in the study area were available for 652 samples collected from 230 sites. Arsenic concentrations in groundwater ranged from less than reporting limits in 60 samples to a maximum concentration of 875 μg/L at Pumpkin Spring. About 88% (202) of the sites sampled had a maximum arsenic concentration below the drinking water standard of 10 μg/L. Available data from near former or current breccia-pipe uranium mines in the area indicate limited evidence to-date of mining effects on elevated arsenic in groundwater, although slow groundwater flow paths in the region may result in extended times of decades or more for groundwater to reach discharge locations. Post-mining entry of groundwater into the shaft and underground mine workings, with subsequent transport of metal-enriched groundwater offsite, may be a potential pathway of groundwater arsenic contamination from mining, although concentrations would likely be attenuated by contact with sedimentary rock units and dilution with native groundwater along flow paths. Monitoring of perched groundwater at reclaimed mine sites post-reclamation could provide data on the effectiveness of clean-closure practices on protecting groundwater quality in the area.

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The source, fate, and transport of arsenic in the Yellowstone hydrothermal system - An overview

Cited by 10 publications

References 124 publications

Tectonic and geological setting influence hot spring microbiology

Tectonic and geological setting influence hot spring microbiology

An active microbiome in Old Faithful geyser

Arsenic in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region and an evaluation of potential pathways for arsenic contamination of groundwater from breccia pipe uranium mining

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