Mires and Peat (Dec 2010)
Spring mires fed by hot artesian water in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Abstract
This article describes two spring mire complexes in the Kruger National Park (South Africa) that are fed by thermal water with a temperature of 37–42°C. The mires are small (1–20 m in diameter). The peat thickness is 1–2.5 m, of which 1–1.5 m is elevated above the surroundings. Some of the domes have dried out severely and show signs of erosion due to water flow and trampling by large animals. The mires lie in an almost straight line, supporting the hypothesis that the water originates from deep aquifers which discharge at geological faults. The long-term existence of these spring mire complexes may not be threatened because young stages of mire formation are present, but research to elucidate the timescales of peat development is needed to make a valid prognosis.
