Integrated Geoscience Studies in the Greater Yellowstone Area - Volcanic, Tectonic, and Hydrothermal Processes in the Yellowstone Geoecosystem (original) (raw)

Thermal water chemistry of Yellowstone National Park after 24 years of research

E3S Web of Conferences, 2019

The collection, analysis, and interpretation of 24 years of thermal water chemistry data from Yellowstone National Park have led to substantial insights into the water-rock interactions here and implications for other geothermal areas. New sampling and analytical methods have been developed and tested for trace elements. Quantitative measurements were obtained for changes in redox species of S, Fe, As, Sb, and Hg during outflow of thermal waters in which biotic and abiotic reactions play important roles. Fluoride speciation calculations were confirmed with ion-selective electrode measurements. The fate of contaminants, especially As and F, from thermal features in major rivers revealed no significant attenuation during downstream transport. Continuous monitoring for heat flux using year-round conductivity measurements was established. Testing of the “Multiple Equilibria Geothermometer” was achieved with high-quality, long-term data from Ojo Caliente, a continuously flowing hot sprin...

Porewater and Hydrothermal Vent Water Inputs to Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming

2003

Geochemical inputs to Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, come from a variety of sources, including hydrothermal vents, groundwater, rainwater, flux from sediments, and direct runoff. One-third of Yellowstone Lake is directly influenced by hydrothermal activity (hot-water vents and fumaroles). Geothermally heated water percolating through the chamber is highly enriched with carbonate, silicate, chloride, and methane, with some locations additionally rich in iron and sulfide. Vent waters in West Thumb typically contained sub-micromolar concentrations of Fe (iron), while those in Mary Bay and off Stevenson Island contained about 10 μM (micromolar). Water column concentrations of dissolved iron ranged from 250 to 450 nM (nanomolar) in Mary Bay, but were very low in the waters of Southeast Arm, West Thumb, and off Stevenson Island. Porewater and vent water chemistry provided evidence for lake water dilution of vents below the sediment–water interface. Significant fracturing of source water condu...

Sublacustrine geothermal activity in Yellowstone Lake: studies past and present

2002

The discovery and description of hydrothermal features such as geothermal vents, gas fumaroles, and even geysers within Yellowstone Lake is presented. Research was carried out over a period of 17 years beginning in 1984 and employed SCUBA to observe the sublacustrine hot springs and microbial mats in Sedge Bay, Yellowstone Lake. These initial observations led to the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to observe, sample, and study hot springs and gas fumaroles in the deepest regions of the lake, off Stevenson Island, in waters over 120 m deep. Relict hydrothermal structures varying in size (from centimeters to meters in height) and shape (from solitary pipes or chimneys to irregularly shaped structures) were located and sampled in various areas of the lake, including Mary Bay, Bridge Bay, and West Thumb.