Example of field-filtration set-up (Photo: L. Klose)
Constructor University Bremen researchers, led by Prof. Dr. Michael Bau and Dr. Lukas Klose, recently embarked on a scientific expedition to Iceland. In collaboration with Prof. Dr. Andri Stefánsson from the University of Iceland, the team conducted a sampling campaign to investigate the unique geothermal hot springs found on the island.
Example of natural hot spring sampled during field campaign. (Photo: M. Bau)
The research focuses on high-pH hot springs located in various rock type, including mafic and felsic lithologies. Samples from geothermal fluids were collected for detailed chemical analysis, with a particular emphasis on the presence and the distribution of the rare earth elements (REE) in Icelandic geothermal waters. The results will complement and enlarge the limited REE data currently available and allow for comparison with hots springs and geothermal waters in East Africa.
The research team aims at gaining a better understanding of the processes that influence the concentration, fractionation and behavior of the REE in high-pH fluids at elevated temperature and at different availabilities of ligands for complexation. The findings from this study could have significant implications for evaluating the potential of hot springs and geothermal waters as unconventional (re)sources of REE.
Example of steaming stream fed by geothermal hot springs. (Photo: L. Klose)
