Newly published research from the University of Utah suggests evidence of a freshwater reservoir thousands of feet below the Great Salt Lake.
While fresh water had already been detected near the Great Salt Lake by researchers, this study sought to uncover more details about the reservoir’s properties.
With extensive experience as a geologist and expert in geoelectromagnetic imaging, Michael Zhdanov, Ph.D., led the project.
Using airborne electromagnetic imaging, Zhdanov and his team discovered more information about the size and age of the freshwater reservoir.
“The question which I was asked to look at was whether this is a local phenomenon or whether this freshwater source has a significant horizontal extension and depth,” Zhdanov said.
Described in the paper as freshwater saturated sediments, further research is required to determine the exact volume of the freshwater reservoir. What is stated in the paper is that the freshwater reservoir is substantial.
The reservoir is ancient, too. University of Utah professor William Johnson was one of Zhdanov's colleagues and collaborators, using Carbon-14 dating to estimate the age of the water in the reservoir.
“When you do Carbon-14 dating, you’re relying on a signature that can be contaminated … and so you lose fidelity the older it gets,” Johnson said. “What we can be sure of is that it's multiple thousands of years old.”
The reservoir provides hope for the fight against Utah’s drought problem. Recently, these droughts have been widespread enough to have affected every part of the state.
The freshwater reservoir, while substantial, requires further research before a decision can be made about potential usage.
Zhdanov added his team did not go into the project with the express purpose of determining the viability of extracting the water; Instead, they were seeking to begin the process of getting more accurate measurements.
Hydrologist and fellow University of Utah professor Kip Solomon also contributed to the project.
Solomon explained that groundwater discharge is a sign of deeper pockets of water below the surface.
This groundwater discharge is detected through measuring radon levels. These high radon areas often attract birds; birds which can then be tracked via GPS to find other groundwater discharge areas.
By observing these birds’ feeding patterns, groundwater discharge may be easier to find and therefore easier to trace back to the reservoir.
“There’s an incredible correlation between high radon concentrations in water and where these birds are feeding,” Solomon said. “We’re trying to understand that relationship.”
Solomon stressed that research comes first, and then after research, a decision can be made about extracting water.
He was also careful to add that the water extraction process itself is a difficult task, explaining the feasibility and advisability of extracting the water from deep underground requires further research.
Despite all of the further research and information needed, Zhdanov remains confident that this water is a valuable resource.
“We have treasure under our feet,” Zhdanov said. “This should be put to practical use, the sooner the better.”