Smoking Hills

The Smoking Hills are located on the east coast of Cape Bathurst [B. Freedman; V. Zobens; T. C. Hutchinson; W. I. Gizyn: "Intense, Natural Pollution Affects Arctic Tundra Vegetation at the Smoking Hills, Canada"
Ecology, Vol. 71, No. 2. (Apr., 1990), pp. 492-503. JSTOR stable URL|0012-9658%28199004%2971%3A2%3C492%3AINPAAT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-S] in Canada's Northwest Territories, next to the Arctic Ocean and a small group of lakes. The cliffs, named by explorer John Franklin, [ [http://library.thinkquest.org/C003603/english/phenomena/smokinghills.shtml The Smoking Hills] ] contain strata of hydrocarbons (oil shales), who have been burning for centuries without cessation (original inflammation by lightning). The clouds of smoke have given the region its name and have acidified the lakes during the years down to a pH lower than 2. Although the soil of the region contains much limestone, the buffer effect has completely disappeared. [Prof. Hubert van den Bergh: "Atmosphère et climat", Lausanne, 2005]

The nearest community, Paulatuk, which is about 105 km (65 mi) east, is named in recognition of the coal found in the area, traditionally spelt "Paulatuuq" or "place of coal". [ [http://www.pwnhc.ca/programs/downloads/OfficialCommunityNames.pdf Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre - official names] ]

Acidification

The bituminous coal has burnt for centuries causing acidification in the ponds in vicinity.

References

External links

* [http://www.dustysensor.ca/2007/photoblog/smoking-hills/ dustysensor.ca - a picture of the hills]
* [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v301/n5895/abs/301023a0.html nature.com - Magda Havas & Thomas C. Hutchinson: "The Smoking Hills: natural acidification of an aquatic ecosystem"]
* [http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/topo/map?mapsize=428%20380&lat=69.5168493685&long=-126.552543197&mapxy=-1151867.54112+2525849.79137&scale=5000000&feature_na=Smoking+Hills&location1=61&unique_key=80628526d05411d892e2080020a0f4c9&searchstring=Smoking%20Hills&entity=MTN&layers=fapfeature+fapfeature%20north_arrow%20other_features%20million_grid%20t50k_grid%20grid_50k_3%20roads%20hydrography%20boundary%20builtup%20vegetation%20populated_places%20railway%20power_network%20manmade_features%20designated_areas%20water_features%20water_saturated_soils%20relief%20contours%20toponymy%20contour%20nodata_ntdb_50k&urlappend=%26map_textzoom03_feature%3Dnew%26map_textzoom03_feature_points%3D-1151854.43713+2525838.11972%26map_textzoom03_class_text%3DSmoking%2BHills%26map_textzoom46_feature%3Dnew%26map_textzoom46_feature_points%3D-1151854.43713+2525838.11972%26map_textzoom46_class_text%3DSmoking%2BHills%26map_arrowzoom03_feature%3Dnew%26map_arrowzoom03_feature_points%3D-1151854.43713+2525838.11972 Smoking Hills] at the Atlas of Canada