Characterisation and isotopic evolution of saline waters of the Outokumpu Deep Drill Hole, Finland – Implications for water origin and deep terrestrial biosphere

The isotopic composition of water and dissolved Sr as well as other geochemical parameters at the 2516 m deep Outokumpu Deep Drill Hole, Finland were determined. The drill hole is hosted by Palaeoproterozoic turbiditic metasediments, ophiolite-derived altered ultramafic rocks and pegmatitic granitoids. Sodium–Ca–Cl and Ca–Na–Cl-rich waters (total dissolved solids up to ca. 70 g L−1) containing significant amounts of gas, mainly CH4 (up to 32 mmol L−1), N2 (up to 10 mmol L−1), H2 (up to 3.1 mmol L−1) and He (up to 1.1 mmol L−1) discharge from fracture zones into the drill hole. This water is distinct from the shallow fresh groundwater of the area, and has an isotopic composition typical of shield brines that have been modified during long-term water–rock interaction. Based on water stable isotopes and geochemistry, the drill hole water profile can be divided into five water types, each discharging from separate fracture systems and affected by the surrounding rocks. The δ2H varies from −90‰ to −56‰ (VSMOW) and δ18O from −13.5‰ to −10.4‰ (VSMOW), plotting clearly above the Global and Local Meteoric Water Lines on a δ2H vs. δ18O diagram. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios range between 0.72423 and 0.73668. Simple two-component mixing between 2H and 18O rich end-member brine and meteoric water cannot explain the water stable isotopic composition and trends observed. Instead, hydration of silicates by ancient groundwaters recharged under different climatic conditions, warmer than at present, is the most likely mechanism to have caused the variation of the δ2H and δ18O values. Water types correlate with changes in microbial communities implying that different ecosystems occur at different depths. The different water types and microbial populations have remained isolated from each other and from the surface for long periods of time, probably tens of millions of years.