Geochemical characteristics and microbial diversity of CO2-rich mound springs of the Tierra Amarilla anticline, New Mexico
type: CreativeWork
description: This interdisciplinary research explores the water geochemistry, microbial heterogeneity, geochemical cycling, and paleohydrological longevity of a unique set of desert springs in north-central New Mexico. This series of travertine-depositing CO2-rich springs is located along the boundary zone between the Colorado Plateau and Rio Grande rift, on the southern extension of the Nacimiento fault at the Tierra Amarilla anticline (TA). Geochemical data on the spring waters show 3He/4He ratio of 0.17-0.20 RA which indicates the presence of mantle-derived helium in the groundwater. Carbon isotope values range from -4.6 to -8.1 per mil, suggesting that some of the CO2 is also deeply derived (endogenic). Based on an average of 8 samples, water chemistry modeling indicates CO2 is 5.49 ± 8 % from dissolved carbonate in the aquifer (Ccarb), 4.77 ± 9.16 % from organic derivation (Corg), and 89.74 ± 11.22 % from deep sources (Cendo). Stable isotope analysis of the waters suggests that these warm springs have a component perhaps related to distal effects of the Valles Caldera hydrothermal system with fluid transport up and along extensional faults networks near the boundary of the Rio Grande rift. Microbiological techniques were employed to investigate these waters and determine species diversity and groundwater microbiology. Microbiological species identified include Zetaproteobacteria, Vibrio diaztrophicus, and Algoriphagus sp. LYX05, and Candidatus 'Nitrotoga.' The Zetaproteobacteria are also found in submarine seamount communities and Vibrio diaztrophicus are also found in other subsurface environments. 454-sequence analyses of Archaeal species determined that the phylotype Methanosarcinales (which is the dominate single phylotype found in Lost City hydrothermal field) is also found in the TA system. The presence of similar terrestrial communities in TA warm springs is interpreted to reflect endemic ecosystems that have evolved in ambient-temperature terrestrial springs because…
abstract: This interdisciplinary research explores the water geochemistry, microbial heterogeneity, geochemical cycling, and paleohydrological longevity of a unique set of desert springs in north-central New Mexico. This series of travertine-depositing CO2-rich springs is located along the boundary zone between the Colorado Plateau and Rio Grande rift, on the southern extension of the Nacimiento fault at the Tierra Amarilla anticline (TA). Geochemical data on the spring waters show 3He/4He ratio of 0.17-0.20 RA which indicates the presence of mantle-derived helium in the groundwater. Carbon isotope values range from -4.6 to -8.1 per mil, suggesting that some of the CO2 is also deeply derived (endogenic). Based on an average of 8 samples, water chemistry modeling indicates CO2 is 5.49 ± 8 % from dissolved carbonate in the aquifer (Ccarb), 4.77 ± 9.16 % from organic derivation (Corg), and 89.74 ± 11.22 % from deep sources (Cendo). Stable isotope analysis of the waters suggests that these warm springs have a component perhaps related to distal effects of the Valles Caldera hydrothermal system with fluid transport up and along extensional faults networks near the boundary of the Rio Grande rift. Microbiological techniques were employed to investigate these waters and determine species diversity and groundwater microbiology. Microbiological species identified include Zetaproteobacteria, Vibrio diaztrophicus, and Algoriphagus sp. LYX05, and Candidatus 'Nitrotoga.' The Zetaproteobacteria are also found in submarine seamount communities and Vibrio diaztrophicus are also found in other subsurface environments. 454-sequence analyses of Archaeal species determined that the phylotype Methanosarcinales (which is the dominate single phylotype found in Lost City hydrothermal field) is also found in the TA system. The presence of similar terrestrial communities in TA warm springs is interpreted to reflect endemic ecosystems that have evolved in ambient-temperature terrestrial springs because…
author: Cron, Brandi
language: English
keywords: Geomicrobiology, geochemistry, molecular, Methanosarcinales, geothermal, Rio Grande rift
date published: 2012-02-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T05:26:14Z
provider: University of New Mexico
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of New Mexico

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/1928/17423