Sustaining Geothermal Ecosystems: Geochemical Influence and Restoration of Geothermal Ecosystems

Abstract

New Zealand has a range of geothermally-influenced ecosystems with distinctive ecological features and biotic communities. Despite the significance of geothermal areas within New Zealand and the investment and interest in the use of geothermal resources to generate energy, studies of the ecology and functioning of these extreme environments have been sporadic. Recent studies of geothermal ecosystems in New Zealand have determined the diversity and characteristics of aquatic geothermal ecosystems. In this paper we examine the geochemical influence on the biota associated with geothermal ecosystems, by looking at the uptake of potential contaminants by plants in the vicinity of the geothermal fluids. We discuss the implications of these results for potential new developments and potential new sources of these contaminants to the earth’s surface. In addition we consider the implications of the geochemical influence on the potential to restore geothermal ecosystems and their features on the earth’s surface.