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

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2007 Solute and isotope geochemistry of subsurface ice melt seeps in Taylor Valley, Antarctica Katherine J. Harris; Katherine J. Harris 1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 400 McCauley Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Anne E. Carey; Anne E. Carey 2School of Earth Sciences, Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1398, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar W.Berry Lyons; W.Berry Lyons 3Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University, 108 Scott Hall, 1090 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kathleen A. Welch; Kathleen A. Welch 3Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University, 108 Scott Hall, 1090 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Andrew G. Fountain Andrew G. Fountain 4Departments of Geology and Geography, Portland State University, Portland Oregon 97207-0751, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Katherine J. Harris 1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 400 McCauley Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516, USA Anne E. Carey 2School of Earth Sciences, Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1398, USA W.Berry Lyons 3Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University, 108 Scott Hall, 1090 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002, USA Kathleen A. Welch 3Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University, 108 Scott Hall, 1090 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002, USA Andrew G. Fountain 4Departments of Geology and Geography, Portland State University, Portland Oregon 97207-0751, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 13 Oct 2005 Revision Received: 19 Jun 2006 Accepted: 26 Aug 2006 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA GSA Bulletin (2007) 119 (5-6): 548–555. https://doi.org/10.1130/B25913.1 Article history Received: 13 Oct 2005 Revision Received: 19 Jun 2006 Accepted: 26 Aug 2006 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Katherine J. Harris, Anne E. Carey, W.Berry Lyons, Kathleen A. Welch, Andrew G. Fountain; Solute and isotope geochemistry of subsurface ice melt seeps in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. GSA Bulletin 2007;; 119 (5-6): 548–555. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B25913.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are a polar desert region with watersheds dominated by glacial melt. Recent ground exploration reveals unusual surface-flow-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 identified in archived aerial photographs of Taylor Valley. This valley was surveyed for extant and extinct seeps, and the locations of geomorphic features in five 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 modified 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. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.