Articles | Volume 16, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-4977-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-4977-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Brief communication
| 
16 Dec 2022
Brief communication |
| 16 Dec 2022
| 16 Dec 2022
Brief communication: The hidden labyrinth: deep groundwater in Wright Valley, Antarctica
Hilary A. Dugan
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53706 Madison, WI, USA
Peter T. Doran
Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, 70802 Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Denys Grombacher
Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Esben Auken
Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Thue Bording
Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Nikolaj Foged
Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Neil Foley
Environmental Sciences Department, University of Montana Western, 59725 Dillon, MT, USA
Jill Mikucki
Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, 37996 Knoxville, TN, USA
Ross A. Virginia
Department of Environmental Studies, Dartmouth College, 03755 Hanover, NH, USA
Slawek Tulaczyk
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, 95064 Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Related authors
Krista F. Myers, Peter T. Doran, Slawek M. Tulaczyk, Neil T. Foley, Thue S. Bording, Esben Auken, Hilary A. Dugan, Jill A. Mikucki, Nikolaj Foged, Denys Grombacher, and Ross A. Virginia
The Cryosphere, 15, 3577–3593, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3577-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3577-2021, 2021
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Lake Fryxell, Antarctica, has undergone hundreds of meters of change in recent geologic history. However, there is disagreement on when lake levels were higher and by how much. This study uses resistivity data to map the subsurface conditions (frozen versus unfrozen ground) to map ancient shorelines. Our models indicate that Lake Fryxell was up to 60 m higher just 1500 to 4000 years ago. This amount of lake level change shows how sensitive these systems are to small changes in temperature.
Robert Ladwig, Paul C. Hanson, Hilary A. Dugan, Cayelan C. Carey, Yu Zhang, Lele Shu, Christopher J. Duffy, and Kelly M. Cobourn
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 1009–1032, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-1009-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-1009-2021, 2021
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Using a modeling framework applied to 37 years of dissolved oxygen time series data from Lake Mendota, we identified the timing and intensity of thermal energy stored in the lake water column, the lake's resilience to mixing, and surface primary production as the most important drivers of interannual dynamics of low oxygen concentrations at the lake bottom. Due to climate change, we expect an increase in the spatial and temporal extent of low oxygen concentrations in Lake Mendota.
Gavin Piccione, Terrence Blackburn, Paul Northrup, Slawek Tulaczyk, and Troy Rasbury
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1359, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1359, 2024
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Growth of microorganisms in the Southern Ocean is limited by low iron levels. Iron delivered from beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet is one agent that fertilizes these ecosystems, but it is unclear how this nutrient source changes through time. Here, we measured the age and chemistry of a rock that records the iron concentration of Antarctic basal water. We show that increased dissolution of iron from rocks below the ice sheet can substantially enhance iron discharge during cold climate periods.
Ricardo Garza-Girón and Slawek M. Tulaczyk
The Cryosphere, 18, 1207–1213, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1207-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1207-2024, 2024
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By analyzing temperature time series over more than 20 years, we have found a discrepancy between the 2 m temperature values reported by the ERA5 reanalysis and the automatic weather stations in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.
Mathias Vang, Denys Grombacher, Matthew P. Griffiths, Lichao Liu, and Jakob Juul Larsen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3115–3124, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3115-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3115-2023, 2023
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In this paper, we use a novel surface nuclear magnetic resonance (SNMR) method for rapid high-quality data acquisition. The SNMR results from more than 100 soundings in three different case studies were used to map groundwater. The soundings successfully track the water table through the three areas and are compared to boreholes and other geophysical measurements. The study highlights the use of SNMR in hydrological surveys and as a tool for regional mapping of the water table.
Nikhil B. Gaikwad, Lichao Liu, Matthew P. Griffiths, Denys Grombacher, and Jakob Juul Larsen
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2023-5, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2023-5, 2023
Preprint under review for GI
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The work presents simulations, modelling, and experimental verification of a novel steady-state surface NMR transmitter used for the non-invasive exploration of groundwater. The paper focuses on three main aspects of high current transmitter instrumentation, i.e., thermal management, current drooping, and pulse stability. This work will interest readers in geoscientific instrument prototyping for groundwater exploration using portable geoscientific instrument.
Muhammad Rizwan Asif, Nikolaj Foged, Thue Bording, Jakob Juul Larsen, and Anders Vest Christiansen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 1389–1401, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-1389-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-1389-2023, 2023
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To apply a deep learning (DL) algorithm to electromagnetic (EM) methods, subsurface resistivity models and/or the corresponding EM responses are often required. To date, there are no standardized EM datasets, which hinders the progress and evolution of DL methods due to data inconsistency. Therefore, we present a large-scale physics-driven model database of geologically plausible and EM-resolvable subsurface models to incorporate consistency and reliability into DL applications for EM methods.
Pradip Kumar Maurya, Frederik Ersted Christensen, Masson Andy Kass, Jesper B. Pedersen, Rasmus R. Frederiksen, Nikolaj Foged, Anders Vest Christiansen, and Esben Auken
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 2813–2827, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2813-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2813-2022, 2022
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In this paper, we present an application of the electromagnetic method to image the subsurface below rivers, lakes, or any surface water body. The scanning of the subsurface is carried out by sailing an electromagnetic sensor called FloaTEM. Imaging results show a 3D distribution of different sediment types below the freshwater lakes. In the case of saline water, the system is capable of identifying the probable location of groundwater discharge into seawater.
M. Andy Kass, Esben Auken, Jakob Juul Larsen, and Anders Vest Christiansen
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 10, 313–323, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-10-313-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-10-313-2021, 2021
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We have developed a towed magnetic gradiometer system for rapid acquisition of magnetic and magnetic gradient maps. This high-resolution system is flexible and has applications to utility detection, archaeology, unexploded ordnance, or any other applications where high-resolution maps of the magnetic field or gradient are required. Processing of the data has been simplified as much as possible to facilitate rapid results and interpretations.
Sarah U. Neuhaus, Slawek M. Tulaczyk, Nathan D. Stansell, Jason J. Coenen, Reed P. Scherer, Jill A. Mikucki, and Ross D. Powell
The Cryosphere, 15, 4655–4673, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4655-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4655-2021, 2021
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We estimate the timing of post-LGM grounding line retreat and readvance in the Ross Sea sector of Antarctica. Our analyses indicate that the grounding line retreated over our field sites within the past 5000 years (coinciding with a warming climate) and readvanced roughly 1000 years ago (coinciding with a cooling climate). Based on these results, we propose that the Siple Coast grounding line motions in the middle to late Holocene were driven by relatively modest changes in regional climate.
Tun Jan Young, Carlos Martín, Poul Christoffersen, Dustin M. Schroeder, Slawek M. Tulaczyk, and Eliza J. Dawson
The Cryosphere, 15, 4117–4133, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4117-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4117-2021, 2021
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If the molecules that make up ice are oriented in specific ways, the ice becomes softer and enhances flow. We use radar to measure the orientation of ice molecules in the top 1400 m of the Western Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide. Our results match those from an ice core extracted 10 years ago and conclude that the ice flow has not changed direction for the last 6700 years. Our methods are straightforward and accurate and can be applied in places across ice sheets unsuitable for ice coring.
Krista F. Myers, Peter T. Doran, Slawek M. Tulaczyk, Neil T. Foley, Thue S. Bording, Esben Auken, Hilary A. Dugan, Jill A. Mikucki, Nikolaj Foged, Denys Grombacher, and Ross A. Virginia
The Cryosphere, 15, 3577–3593, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3577-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3577-2021, 2021
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Lake Fryxell, Antarctica, has undergone hundreds of meters of change in recent geologic history. However, there is disagreement on when lake levels were higher and by how much. This study uses resistivity data to map the subsurface conditions (frozen versus unfrozen ground) to map ancient shorelines. Our models indicate that Lake Fryxell was up to 60 m higher just 1500 to 4000 years ago. This amount of lake level change shows how sensitive these systems are to small changes in temperature.
Jakob Juul Larsen, Stine Søgaard Pedersen, Nikolaj Foged, and Esben Auken
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 10, 81–90, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-10-81-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-10-81-2021, 2021
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The transient electromagnetic method (TEM) is widely used for mapping subsurface resistivity structures, but data are inevitably contaminated by noise from various sources including radio signals in the very low frequency (VLF) 3–30 kHz band. We present an approach where VLF noise is effectively suppressed with a new post-processing scheme where boxcar gates are combined into semi-tapered gates. The result is a 20 % increase in the depth of investigation for the presented test survey.
Robert Ladwig, Paul C. Hanson, Hilary A. Dugan, Cayelan C. Carey, Yu Zhang, Lele Shu, Christopher J. Duffy, and Kelly M. Cobourn
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 1009–1032, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-1009-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-1009-2021, 2021
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Using a modeling framework applied to 37 years of dissolved oxygen time series data from Lake Mendota, we identified the timing and intensity of thermal energy stored in the lake water column, the lake's resilience to mixing, and surface primary production as the most important drivers of interannual dynamics of low oxygen concentrations at the lake bottom. Due to climate change, we expect an increase in the spatial and temporal extent of low oxygen concentrations in Lake Mendota.
Slawek M. Tulaczyk and Neil T. Foley
The Cryosphere, 14, 4495–4506, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4495-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4495-2020, 2020
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Much of what we know about materials hidden beneath glaciers and ice sheets on Earth has been interpreted using radar reflection from the ice base. A common assumption is that electrical conductivity of the sub-ice materials does not influence the reflection strength and that the latter is controlled only by permittivity, which depends on the fraction of water in these materials. Here we argue that sub-ice electrical conductivity should be generally considered when interpreting radar records.
Madeline E. Myers, Peter T. Doran, and Krista F. Myers
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2020-203, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2020-203, 2020
Revised manuscript not accepted
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In polar regions like the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, snowfall is expected to increase. Small amounts of snow lower radiation for melting and photosynthesis by increasing the albedo of the surrounding dark soil. Two decades of snowfall data have shown that the volume of snowfall has been declining since 2009, which contradicts the anticipated increase; however, the number of days with snow has been increasing, which will slow glacial melt and lower productivity below the snow cover.
Anna Bergstrom, Michael N. Gooseff, Madeline Myers, Peter T. Doran, and Julian M. Cross
The Cryosphere, 14, 769–788, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-769-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-769-2020, 2020
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This study sought to understand patterns of reflectance of visible light across the landscape of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. We used a helicopter-based platform to measure reflectance along an entire valley with a particular focus on the glaciers, as reflectance strongly controls glacier melt and available water to the downstream ecosystem. We found that patterns are controlled by gradients in snowfall, wind redistribution, and landscape structure, which can trap snow and sediment.
Sarah U. Neuhaus, Slawek M. Tulaczyk, and Carolyn Branecky Begeman
The Cryosphere, 13, 1785–1799, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1785-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1785-2019, 2019
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Relatively few studies have been carried out on icebergs inside fjords, despite the fact that the majority of recent sea level rise has resulted from glaciers terminating in fjords. We examine the size and spatial distribution of icebergs in Columbia Fjord, Alaska, over a period of 8 months to determine their influence on fjord dynamics.
Lichao Liu, Denys Grombacher, Esben Auken, and Jakob Juul Larsen
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 8, 1–11, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-8-1-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-8-1-2019, 2019
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This paper introcudes the design workflow and test approaches of a surface-NMR receiver. But the method and technqiues, for instance, signal loop, acqusition board, GPS synchronization, and Wi-Fi network, could also be employed in other geophysical instruments.
Brent C. Christner, Heather F. Lavender, Christina L. Davis, Erin E. Oliver, Sarah U. Neuhaus, Krista F. Myers, Birgit Hagedorn, Slawek M. Tulaczyk, Peter T. Doran, and William C. Stone
The Cryosphere, 12, 3653–3669, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3653-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3653-2018, 2018
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Solar radiation that penetrates into the glacier heats the ice to produce nutrient-containing meltwater and provides light that fuels an ecosystem within the ice. Our analysis documents a near-surface photic zone in a glacier that functions as a liquid water oasis in the ice over half the annual cycle. Since microbial growth on glacier surfaces reduces the amount of solar radiation reflected, microbial processes at depths below the surface may also darken ice and accelerate meltwater production.
Ahmad Ali Behroozmand, Pietro Teatini, Jesper Bjergsted Pedersen, Esben Auken, Omar Tosatto, and Anders Vest Christiansen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 1527–1545, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-1527-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-1527-2017, 2017
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Within the framework of the EU project IMPROWARE, our goal was to investigate a Mediterranean coastal aquifer in Egypt and develop scenarios for artificial aquifer remediation and recharge. The results of an extensive hydrogeophysical investigation were successfully used as an input in regional and local hydrological models to understand the hydrological evolution of the area. The research outcomes clearly highlight the effectiveness of using advanced geophysical and modeling methodologies.
A. Damsgaard, D. L. Egholm, J. A. Piotrowski, S. Tulaczyk, N. K. Larsen, and C. F. Brædstrup
The Cryosphere, 9, 2183–2200, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-2183-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-2183-2015, 2015
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This paper details a new algorithm for performing computational experiments of subglacial granular deformation. The numerical approach allows detailed studies of internal sediment and pore-water dynamics under shear. Feedbacks between sediment grains and pore water can cause rate-dependent strengthening, which additionally contributes to the plastic shear strength of the granular material. Hardening can stabilise patches of the subglacial beds with implications for landform development.
P. A. Marker, N. Foged, X. He, A. V. Christiansen, J. C. Refsgaard, E. Auken, and P. Bauer-Gottwein
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 3875–3890, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3875-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3875-2015, 2015
N. Foged, P. A. Marker, A. V. Christansen, P. Bauer-Gottwein, F. Jørgensen, A.-S. Høyer, and E. Auken
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 4349–4362, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4349-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4349-2014, 2014
D. Herckenrath, G. Fiandaca, E. Auken, and P. Bauer-Gottwein
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 4043–4060, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-4043-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-4043-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Discipline: Other | Subject: Frozen ground hydrology
Numerical modelling of permafrost spring discharge and open-system pingo formation induced by basal permafrost aggradation
Warming temperatures are impacting the hydrometeorological regime of Russian rivers in the zone of continuous permafrost
Mikkel Toft Hornum, Andrew Jonathan Hodson, Søren Jessen, Victor Bense, and Kim Senger
The Cryosphere, 14, 4627–4651, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4627-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4627-2020, 2020
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In Arctic fjord valleys, considerable amounts of methane may be stored below the permafrost and escape directly to the atmosphere through springs. A new conceptual model of how such springs form and persist is presented and confirmed by numerical modelling experiments: in uplifted Arctic valleys, freezing pressure induced at the permafrost base can drive the flow of groundwater to the surface through vents in frozen ground. This deserves attention as an emission pathway for greenhouse gasses.
Olga Makarieva, Nataliia Nesterova, David Andrew Post, Artem Sherstyukov, and Lyudmila Lebedeva
The Cryosphere, 13, 1635–1659, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1635-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1635-2019, 2019
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The streamflow of Arctic rivers is changing. We analyzed available data (22 gauges, 1936–2015) in the basins of the Yana and Indigirka rivers completely located within the continuous permafrost zone. The results show that the main factor of increasing low flows is the shift from snow to rain due to warming. Other factors related to the release of water from permafrost, glaciers, or aufeis may fractionally contribute to streamflow increase but cannot be quantified based on available data.
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Short summary
In the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, a deep groundwater system has been hypothesized to connect Don Juan Pond and Lake Vanda, both surface waterbodies that contain very high concentrations of salt. This is unusual, since permafrost in polar landscapes is thought to prevent subsurface hydrologic connectivity. We show results from an airborne geophysical survey that reveals widespread unfrozen brine in Wright Valley and points to the potential for deep valley-wide brine conduits.
In the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, a deep groundwater system has been hypothesized to...
