Picture credit score: Pierre Martin, Ingenium | Canada Science and Expertise Museum
Again in 2013, a workforce of scientists, led by geochemist Dr. Barbara Sherwood Lollar, found what may fairly probably be the oldest recognized groundwater but within the Kidd Creek Mine. This Canadian Precambrian was then analyzed for its geochemical in addition to radiogenic fingerprints, and decided to be round 2.6-billion-years-old.
This groundwater was trapped in skinny fissures amid a granite-like rock, and scientists acknowledged that this in all probability isn’t a liquid for human consumption, however for analysis functions, Lollar determined to strive some. Her first remark was that of saltiness, most definitely attributable to the reactions between the water and rock. She then described the liquid as being extra viscous than faucet water, and extra like a really mild maple syrup. It was colorless popping out of the bottom, however as quickly because it is available in contact with oxygen, the water turns orange as a result of minerals in it start to kind, most notably the iron.
Picture credit score: Oliver Warr
This proof led to the conclusion that the water’s imply residence time was greater than a billion years – from the Precambrian period. Like historical rocks, this water brings messages from the Earth’s early day, mentioned the Canada Science and Expertise Museum.
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