5 Environmental Geochemistry and Health Impacts (Posters)

This session welcomes research on contaminant occurrence, fate and transport, and impacts on human and environmental health. Interdisciplinary contributions with implications for environmental remediation and natural resources management are encouraged.

Monday, 18 May 2026
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Alvarado D/E

Modeling the potential environmental impacts of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) on water quality in Arctic permafrost landscapes

Paper number: 5-2
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) is a climate intervention geo engineering application. SAI injects additional sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, creating particulate sulfate to block oncoming solar radiation. Researchers are using global scale Earth system models to examine and understand the atmospheric effects of SAI. Results have shown large depositional fluxes of sulfate in high latitude environments, including the Arctic. The environmental impacts of this additional sulfate on water quality and arctic ecosystems are poorly understood but may have a negative impact on permafrost environments which are already undergoing change due to warming surface temperatures. To better understand these potential impacts, a reactive transport model is being developed to simulate geochemical processes occurring in the shallow subsurface and groundwater system of the Kuparuk River Watershed, in North Slope, AK. This model will encompass the various biogeochemical reactions that occur in permafrost affected landscapes. After initializing and calibrating base conditions, we will input an additional sulfate deposition flux from SAI based on Earth system model outputs from various SAI scenarios. Model experiments will test the impacts of SAI-derived sulfate fluxes on groundwater quality in permafrost environments, specifically focusing on pH as an indicator. Model parameters are constrained by existing field data on solid-phase geochemistry, porewater chemistry and physical properties. The expected results of the model will inform whether SAI-derived excess sulfate will cause a decrease in pH in Arctic groundwater-surface water systems, with implications for the stability of aquatic ecosystems. This will help inform decisions about future SAI applications.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410495

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