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Research into the deep biosphere requires an understanding of both the microbial community at a given site and the geochemical and hydrological factors that support that microbial community. To highlight the interplay between geochemistry and microbiology in these deep environments, we characterized the hydrogeologic and geochemical systems of a 2.7 Ga banded iron formation within the Canadian Shield in the Soudan Underground Mine State Park in Minnesota, USA, a site known to host a lithotrophic microbial community. Calcium-sodium-chloride brines, characteristic of deep groundwaters throughout the Canadian Shield, were found in the site with total dissolved solids as high as 116,000 ppm in one borehole. Comparison of the Soudan waters to those found at other sites in the Canadian Shield or other sites of deep biosphere research indicate that they are notable for their high magnesium concentrations relative to total salinity. Additionally, the most saline Soudan waters have distinct 2H

New yorkUnited statesKidd creekNorth kareliaSoudan underground mine state parkSouthwest finlandSouth africaCanadian shieldCanada generalKeweenaw peninsulaDrill holeNorth westFree stateSouth dakotaSoudan mineUniversity of minnesota