A tale of two lakes: the Newberry Volcano twin crater lakes, Oregon, USA

Abstract

AbstractNewberry Volcano in Oregon, USA, has two small crater lakes inside its caldera: East Lake and Paulina Lake. The 50–80 m deep lakes differ in morphology, water chemistry and sediment composition, although separated only by a narrow volcanic ridge. East Lake is a terminal lake with gaseous geothermal inputs, whereas Paulina Lake has an outlet (Paulina Creek) and subaqueous, high-alkalinity hot springs. The sediment in both lakes is organic-rich and mainly consists of diatom frustules (SiO2) with some volcanic ash, accumulating at sedimentation rates of 1.5–2 mm a−1 (210Pb dated). In Paulina Lake the sediment has up to 14% Fe2O3 of hydrothermal origin and 250 ppm As. Sediment in East Lake is Fe-poor but has up to 4 ppm Hg, and fish are also Hg-rich. Both lakes host productive ecosystems, with primary producers using geothermal CO2, P and Si, and nitrogen fixed by cyanobacteria (Nostoc sp.). Water budgets and water residence times were calculated from stable isotope budgets. East Lake has a steep vertical δ13C (dissolved inorganic carbon, DIC) gradient, with surface δ13C values of up to 5.5‰, largely due to diffusional CO2 losses and photosynthetic carbon withdrawal. Paulina Lake is better mixed, has a lower organic productivity and limited surface CO2 evasion; its δ13C (DIC) gradient is small. We theorize that the lakes are fed by different geothermal components as a result of phase separation below East Lake. The gas component (CO2, H2S, Hg) enters East Lake, as indicated by the rising bubble trains in the lake. A residual fluid, depleted in Hg but rich in Si, Fe, carbonate, P and As, enters Paulina Lake. The presence of highly toxic components and the gas-charging of East Lake present natural hazards, which may change when new volcanic activity is initiated, and thus should be monitored.