Discovery of the Avon – Solent Fracture Zone and its relationship to Bath hot springs

 The hot springs of Bristol and Bath and two geothermal wells at Southampton are located on a 155-km-long Avon–Solent Fracture Zone extending in a NW–SE direction from the Severn Estuary to the English Channel. Initiated during the Variscan earth movements and reactivated in Miocene times, the structure, which extends across the English Channel to France, is still active. With this discovery, it should now be possible to throw fresh light on the origin and movement of the thermal water at Bath and thus to protect the hot springs from derogation by limestone quarrying. Received: 16 October 1995 · Accepted: 13 February 1996     

Environmental geology of Bath,England

The hot springs of Bath, England, have been of importance to man for hundreds of years. It was a famous spa in Roman times. Subsequently, the springs were used during the 17th through the 20th centuries and extensive urban and commercial properties were developed at Bath using the water for medical and tourist-oriented activities. With urban and commercial development in the area, man's impact on the environment was substantial and typical environmental problems included pollution, land subsidence, or stability that effected construction, drainage, highways, and canals. During the growth of Bath in the 18th and 19th centuries these environmental problems were described by geologist William Smith and Joseph Townsend. Bath and vicinity provides a unique example of environmental geoscience.     

Preliminary study on the occurrence of geothermal systems in the tectonic compressional regions: an example from the Derman geothermal field in the Biga Peninsula, Turkey

There are numerous hot springs with temperatures ranging from 30 to 100 °C in Biga peninsula and they occur throughout the peninsula. The result of this study shows that the region is under a tectonic compressional regime. The investigation of the faults and fractures in the region indicates that the region has been affected first by N–S and then E–W compression since the Middle Miocene. Opening fractures and antithetic and synthetic faults due to the compressional movements provide paths for the deep circulation of water. In addition, the tectonic movements, granitic intrusion and volcanic activity have also played important roles as heat sources for the geothermal systems.     

The thermal and mineral springs of Aitoloakarnania Prefecture: function mechanism and origin of groundwater

The study area is located in the northwestern part of Greece, in Aitoloakarnania prefecture. In this region, where no volcanic activity exists, thermal springs such as Kremasta and Kokkino Stefani, well-known for their healing properties occur. The objective of this study was the investigation of these springs, as well as the study of the chemical composition and origin of water. Relationships between these springs were also examined. The geological setting of the area comprises sedimentary rocks of the Pindos, Gavrovo-Tripolis and Ionian geotectonic zones, deformed by orogenic movements followed by Neogene extensional tectonism. The thermal and mineral springs were classified into three main groups. The first group is characterized by Ca-HCO₃ water type and low water temperatures. It corresponds to the springs that are hosted in the Ionian zone and their possible enrichment in SO₄ is mainly attributed to the evaporites. The other two groups consist of alkaline thermal water mainly hosted in the formations of Gavrovo-Tripolis zone. In these two groups, the very strong reducing conditions that prevail are expressed by high amounts of NH₃ and H₂S. Moreover, Na, F, Li, Sr and Ba display elevated concentrations. The second includes mineral waters of (Ca)-Na-HCO₃ type that are depleted in calcium. Their residence time is rather long and they originate from deep water circulation through siliceous rocks. The third group includes thermal waters of Ca-Mg-Na-HCO₃ water type of higher water temperatures that reveal characteristics of deep circulation directly associated with the underlain limestones.     

高放废物处置库北山预选区泉水成因分析

文章通过前人资料的分析,结合水文地质调查工作,探讨了北山地区泉水的成因,认为该区分布的泉大部分是下降泉,接受潜水补给;少部分为上升泉,接受盆地地下水或断裂带地下水补给;属于北山内部的地下水循环交替方式之一,与深大断裂关系不明显。     

重庆温泉研究进展

文章通过综述当前重庆温泉研究的相关文献,总结了前人在重庆温泉形成的地质背景、分布状况、类型、水化学特征及形成机制等方面的研究现状,并分析了重庆温泉研究和开发利用中存在的问题。重庆温泉中人工揭露较自然出露多,温度以中低温为主,泉口流量集中于10~50 L/s,色度、浊度小,水化学类型受围岩性质影响,以SO4-Ca型为主。其形成过程为:大气降水在大巴山脉及川东褶皱带背斜顶端碳酸盐岩出露区域渗入地下深部,被地温加热后沿褶皱带背斜轴部向南移动,在河谷深切处或断裂构造处出露形成温泉。重庆温泉的开发利用存在环境污染、资源利用不合理、开发不力等问题,认为应当加强温泉形成机理、温泉资源评价与保护、温泉水系统数值模拟、温泉废水处理等方面的研究,以确保温泉水资源的可持续利用。      

The Experimental Investigations on Motion Features of Groundwater Flow near the Pumping Well

Hot springs are natural exposed points of the hydrothermal system. The hydro-geochemistry of hot springs can be used to interpret the formation of the hydrothermal system; and the 14C dating can be used to evaluate the renewability of the hydrothermal system. The hot springs exposed from fault zones in western Guangdong are classified as granite fissure water and clastic rock fissure water, which are sampled and tested. The results of water chemistry analysis show that hot spring water is mainly HCO3-Na type in the beginning, while the mixing of seawater leads to the increase of Cl-. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes indicate that these hot springs mainly come from atmospheric precipitation, and water-rock interactions produce oxygen isotope exchange reactions, where a significant “oxygen drift” phenomenon can be observed. The relationship between δ13C and HCO3- indicates that there is a deep source of CO2 “dead carbon” in hot spring water. This systematic error is not considered in the existing 14C dating correction models. The 14C age of the deep source “dead carbon” correction proposed in this paper is close to the 14C age of the reverse chemical simulation correction, the Gonfiantinie model, and the Mook model. The deep source “dead carbon” correction method can improve the systematic error. Therefore, the 14C age corrected by the deep source “dead carbon” may be more representative in terms of the actual age of geothermal water.     

Geophysical investigation of a mineral groundwater resource in Turkey

The hydrogeological conditions in Uludag (Nilufer River catchment, Bursa, Turkey) were assessed, using time-domain electromagnetic soundings, electrical resistivity and induced polarisation tomography, to detect the most promising zones for new water-well siting, in order to increase the quantity of water for bottling. The hydrogeological model is quite complex: deep mineral and thermal water rises from a main vertical fault which separates two lithological complexes. The highly mineralised (deep) water is naturally mixed with low mineralised water at a shallow depth, 30–40 m; the mixed mineral water is found in some surface springs and shallow wells, while the highly mineralised water is found at depth in some unused deep wells located close to the main fault. All the water points (springs and wells) are located inside a “mineral water belt” on the north side of the Nilufer River. The geophysical survey confirmed the hydrogeological model and highlighted four promising zones for well siting (zones with very low electrical resistivity and high induced polarisation anomalies, corresponding to the main water-bearing faults). One of the geophysical anomalies, the furthest from the exploited sources, was verified by means of a test well; the drilling results have confirmed the water mixing model.     

黔东北高原斜坡地区4种岩溶地下水系统模式及特点——基于地貌和蓄水构造特征

受深切河谷地貌控制,黔东北大部分地区岩溶地下水深埋且排泄于河谷岸边,以快速的管道裂隙流为主,给地下水资源勘探开发带来了极大的困难,局部地区受蓄水构造控制形成勘探有利的地下水富集区。笔者基于地貌和蓄水构造将研究区岩溶地下水系统归纳总结为深切河谷型、向斜山地型、单斜夹层型和背斜槽谷型4类模式。深切河谷型岩溶地下水系统地下水水力坡度大,地下水以快速的管道流为主,排泄点低,开发利用方式建议直接在地下河出口或天窗中抽提地下水,经济效益明显地区可堵洞成库进行综合利用;向斜山地型岩溶地下水系统发育高位岩溶泉或地下河出口,排泄点高,适合直接引水利用;单斜夹层型岩溶地下水系统在岩性接触带出露一系列接触泉,排泄分散,开发利用方式建议直接利用或抽提岩溶泉水,受夹层隔水顶底板影响局部地区可钻井取水;背斜核部出露寒武系白云岩地层,导致背斜槽谷型岩溶地下水系统含水岩层均匀厚度大,分布大量非全排型岩溶泉,地下水开发适合抽提泉水或钻井抽取地下水。     

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of hot springs exposed from fault zones in western Guangdong and their ~(14)C age correction

Hot springs are natural exposed points of the hydrothermal system. The hydrogeochemistry of hot springs can be used to interpret the formation of the hydrothermal system; and the ~(14)C dating can be used to evaluate the renewability of the hydrothermal system. The hot springs exposed from fault zones in western Guangdong are classified as granite fissure water and clastic rock fissure water, which are sampled and tested. The results of water chemistry analysis show that hot spring water is mainly HCO_3-Na type in the beginning, while the mixing of seawater leads to the increase of Cl~-. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes indicate that these hot springs mainly come from atmospheric precipitation, and water-rock interactions produce oxygen isotope exchange reactions, where a significant "oxygen drift" phenomenon can be observed. The relationship between δ~(13)C and HCO_3~- indicates that there is a deep source of CO_2 "dead carbon" in hot spring water. This systematic error is not considered in the existing ~(14)C dating correction models. The ~(14)C age of the deep source "dead carbon" correction proposed in this paper is close to the ~(14)C age of the reverse chemical simulation correction, the Gonfiantinie model, and the Mook model. The deep source "dead carbon" correction method can improve the systematic error. Therefore, the ~(14)C age corrected by the deep source "dead carbon" may be more representative in terms of the actual age of geothermal water.     

重庆市北温泉与四川康定温泉水之地球化学特征对比

对重庆北温泉从2005年6月至12月进行每月采样监测,结果表明: 北温泉的水化学类型为SO4 - Ca 型, SO2-4 和Ca2+ 分别占阴阳离子总量的86. 8%和79. 7% , pH值接近于中性,属低温热泉。与之相对比的青藏高原东北缘的康定温泉(除二道桥温泉之外)明显富集Na+ ( 67. 6% ) ,阴离子以HCO-3 为主( 86. 4% ) ,水化学类型为HCO3— Na 型,属高温热泉,水源深度较北温泉深1km以上;而康定的二道桥温泉则明显富集Ca2+ ( 53. 3% ) ,阴离子以HCO-3 ( 90% )为主,水化学类型为HCO3— Ca型,属于低温热泉。根据矿物饱和指数和CO2 分压的计算结果,虽然北温泉的泉水均对方解石和白云石达到饱和状态,但只在部分泉点形成少量钙华沉积。康定温泉对方解石为过饱和,而对白云石为不饱和,因此,在康定温泉有较多的方解石钙华沉积。两个地点对石膏均为不饱和。此外,康定温泉的二氧化碳分压远远高于北温泉。北温泉3号泉点的各主要离子浓度均低于北温泉的其它泉点,是由于地表水的混入所造成。根据所测得的硫酸根浓度进行估算,在北温泉3号泉泉水中雨季时地表水的混入约为40% ,旱季时约为20%。      

Hydrogeochemistry and stable isotopes of thermal springs: earthquake-related chemical changes along Belice Fault (Western Sicily)

Three geothermal systems, Montevago, Castellammare-Alcamo and Sciacca, are located along the main seismogenetic structures in Western Sicily. Concentrations of dissolved species including the gases CO₂, N₂, He and the results of stable isotope measurements δ¹⁸O, δD and δ¹³C_TDIC in water samples collected from six thermal springs and 28 cold discharges were used to characterise their feeder aquifers and to reveal the relationships between water chemistry and regional seismicity. The Sciacca thermal springs differ chemically and isotopically from those of Montevago and the Castellammare-Alcamo areas. The inferred deep end-members of the thermal waters of Montevago and Castellammare-Alcamo are almost similar, suggesting that both systems are fed by carbonate waters and selenite waters. A slight contribution (1–3%) of seawater, during groundwater ascent it is also present. The Sciacca thermal springs are fed by a deep reservoir comprising a mixture of 50% carbonate water and 50% seawater. During ascent towards the surface, these waters interact with NaCl-rich evaporite layers. By combination of published and present data significant temporal variations of temperature and some chemical parameters in the thermal waters of Western Sicily have been recorded. These variations were mostly between 1966 and 1969. Although the data are discontinuous it is still possible to reveal a direct link between physico–chemical changes in the Acqua Pia and Terme Selinuntine springs and the 1968 Belice Valley earthquake. Within the studied springs, two kinds of geochemical behaviour have been recognised. The chemistry of the Montevago thermal springs was permanently changed in response to changes in the groundwater system. Water temperature and dissolved SO₄, Cl, Na, and TDS showed minimum values before the earthquake and maximum values after the event. Almost constant values substantially higher than before, were recorded after the seismic event. Conversely, the temporal variations observed in the waters of the Terme Selinuntine spring, from 1965 to 1991, exhibit a transient increase most probably caused by a temporary contribution of deep CO₂-rich fluids caused by the strain release during the 1968 earthquake.     

Characteristics of the geothermal water in Changbai Mountain volcanic region,northeast of China

Geothermal water is plentiful in Changbai Mountain region, northeastern China, due to the volcanic activities and widespread faults. For the exploration of geothermal resources, this study uses quartz and cation geothermometer to estimate the temperatures of the geothermal reservoir and uses the tubular models to evaluate the thermal gradient. The hydrogeochemical characteristics of the geothermal resources were also evaluated by hydrogeochemical analysis. The results showed that the geothermal reservoir temperatures of the four major thermal springs in Changbai Mountain region range from 72 to 169 °C. The average geothermal reservoir temperatures of Jinjiang hot springs, Changbai hot springs I, Xianrenqiao hot springs, and Changbai hot springs II are 129.25, 169, 89, and 73.67 °C, respectively. The geothermal gradient values of the four major thermal springs have different characteristics. The geothermal gradient values of Jinjiang hot springs and Changbai hot springs I are 4.6 and 3.1 °C/100 m, respectively. The geothermal gradient values of Xianrenqiao thermal springs and Changbai thermal springs II are both lower than 1.5 °C/100 m, with the values of 1.1 and 1.4 °C/100 m. And the geothermal gradients are influenced by Changbai Mountain Tianchi volcano. In addition, the water chemical analyses showed that the geothermal water types are HCO₃-Na with higher concentrations of Na⁺, Cl^?, SO₄ ^2?, TDS, and HCO₃ ^? than the non-thermal waters, which suggested a deep and long water cycle of the thermal water, and therefore a sufficient water-rock interaction.     

Hydrogeochemistry and geothermometry of the Jowshan thermal springs, Central Iran

Jowshan geothermal system comprises 6 thermal springs with outlet temperatures ranging from 39.3 to 46.6°C. The thermal water of these springs is presently used for swimming and as a treatment for rheumatism, sinusitis and skin diseases. The pH value of these springs is slightly acidic to neutral and the electrical conductivities about 1500 μS/Cm. The presence of many faults in the area, the alignment of all springs along the Sirch Fault and the similar chemical and isotopic composition of all springs in combination with the hydrogeological setting and geochemistry of water samples indicate that these springs are associated with deep circulation of meteoric water. According to this heating mechanism, meteoric waters infiltrate through fault openings to depth and after heating by geothermal gradient rise to the ground surface due to the hydraulic and buoyancy forces, a mechanism which is common in the southern parts of Iran. The use of various chemical geothermometers and mineral equilibrium states suggests a range of temperature about 50–90°C for the reservoir of Jowshan geothermal system.     

云南维西花岗岩地区水文地球化学特征及形成机制研究

基于矿物风化分析,以典型花岗岩地区云南维西为例,对该地区2005年8月地下水和河水水化学性质(pH、Ca2 、Mg2 、K 、Na 、Cl-、HCO3-、SO42-)进行了观测,在Piper图上分析了花岗岩地区水文地球化学特征,并利用主成分分析法探讨了其形成机制。研究认为,在野外调查基础上可将云南维西地区地下水分为6类:花岗岩孔隙水、浅部裂隙水、矿带影响的浅部裂隙水、深部构造裂隙水、花岗岩与灰岩接触带水、花岗岩与第四系堆积物接触带水。利用主成分分析法可以提取影响这6类水的3项公因子:Y1(反映钙长石、黑云母、黄铁矿风化)、Y2(反映水循环深度)、Y3(反映钠长石、钾长石溶滤作用)。地下水和河水公因子得分图分析表明:(1)全风化带孔隙水长石、黑云母溶滤作用弱,而且几乎没有黄铁矿氧化作用;(2)浅部裂隙水和花岗岩与第四系堆积物接触带水两者埋深差不多,但后者因水岩接触面积更大,长石、云母溶滤作用以及黄铁矿氧化作用更强;(3)矿带作用下,浅部裂隙地下水体现一定程度的深部构造裂隙水特征,其钠长石、钾长石风化在所有风化带中最强。因钙长石、黑云母矿物活性相对较弱,其增加幅度不如钾长石、钠长石明显;(4)深部构造裂隙水循环深度大,水岩作用充分,钙长石风化强于其他矿物,钾长石、钠长石因为影响因素多,特别是风化淋滤时间的影响,其风化增强不明显;(5)花岗岩与灰岩接触带水失去花岗岩水特征,更多地表现为灰岩水性质;(6)河水主要离子主要来源于循环较浅的裂隙水、全风化带孔隙水等,循环深度大的地下水贡献小。     

Evaluation of the solute geothermometry of thermal springs and drilled wells of La Primavera (Cerritos Colorados) geothermal field,Mexico: A geochemometrics approach

A detailed study on the solute geothermometry of thermal water (18 springs and 8 drilled wells) of La Primavera geothermal field (LPGF) in Mexico has been carried out by employing a geochemical database compiled from the literature and by applying all the available solute geothermometers. The performance of these geothermometers in predicting the reservoir temperatures has been evaluated by applying a geochemometrics (geochemical and statistical) method. The springs of the LPGF are of bicarbonate type and the majority have attained partial-equilibrium chemical conditions and the remaining have shown non-equilibrium conditions. In the case of geothermal wells, water is dominantly of chloride-type and, among the studied eight geothermal wells, four have shown full-equilibrium chemical conditions and another four have indicated partial-equilibrium conditions. All springs of HCO₃^−​ type water have provided unreliable reservoir temperatures, whereas the only one available spring of SO₄²⁻ type water has provided the reservoir temperature nearer to the average BHT of the wells. Contrary to the general expected behavior, spring water of non-equilibrium and geothermal well water of partial-equilibrium chemical conditions have indicated more reliable reservoir temperatures than those of partially-equilibrated and fully-equilibrated water, respectively. Among the chemical concentration data, Li and SiO₂ of two springs, SO₄²⁻ and Mg of four springs, and HCO₃ and Na concentrations of two geothermal wells were identified as outliers and this has been reflected in very low reservoir temperatures predicted by the geothermometers associated with them (Li–Mg, Na–Li, Na–K–Mg, SiO₂ etc.). Identification of the outlier data points may be useful in differentiating the chemical characteristics, lithology and the physico-chemical and geological processes at the sample locations of the study area.In general, the solute geothermometry of the spring waters of LPGF indicated a dominantly (94%) of underestimated deep reservoir temperatures, whereas in the case of the geothermal wells, many temperatures (54%) are underestimated, some are (43%) overestimated and a very small number (3%) are similar to an average bottom-hole temperatures (BHT) of the wells. 28 out of the total applied 29 geothermometers for spring waters have predicted the deep reservoir temperatures that are characterized by statistically significant large differences compared to the average BHTs of the geothermal wells. In the case of waters of the geothermal wells, 23 out of the total applied 28 geothermometers have predicted the reservoir temperatures similar (statistically no significant differences) to the BHTs of the corresponding geothermal wells.     

Mound springs of the Great Artesian Basin in South Australia: a case study from Olympic Dam

 The mound springs of South Australia are a unique groundwater discharge feature of the Great Artesian Basin (GAB), a deep regional groundwater system that covers 22% of the Australian continent. They are the principal sources of surface water in the arid to semi-arid inland heart of Australia, and have great ecological, scientific, anthropological and economic significance. Excessive development of the Great Artesian Basin over the past century by European activity has seen an overall decline in the flows from the springs. Recent development of the water supply borefields for the Olympic Dam copper-uranium mine in the midst of one the most important spring groups has exacerbated this problem. A review of the history of the Olympic Dam borefields, an analysis of the impacts on the Mound Springs, and future recommendations for the return of environmental flows and protection of the springs is presented. Received: 9 November 1998 · Accepted: 23 February 1999     

Review: The distribution,flow, and quality of Grand Canyon Springs,Arizona (USA)

An understanding of the hydrogeology of Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) in northern Arizona, USA, is critical for future resource protection. The ~750 springs in GRCA provide both perennial and seasonal flow to numerous desert streams, drinking water to wildlife and visitors in an otherwise arid environment, and habitat for rare, endemic and threatened species. Spring behavior and flow patterns represent local and regional patterns in aquifer recharge, reflect the geologic structure and stratigraphy, and are indicators of the overall biotic health of the canyon. These springs, however, are subject to pressures from water supply development, changes in recharge from forest fires and other land management activities, and potential contamination. Roaring Springs is the sole water supply for residents and visitors (>6 million/year), and all springs support valuable riparian habitats with very high species diversity. Most springs flow from the karstic Redwall-Muav aquifer and show seasonal patterns in flow and water chemistry indicative of variable aquifer porosities, including conduit flow. They have Ca/Mg-HCO₃ dominated chemistry and trace elements consistent with nearby deep wells drilled into the Redwall-Muav aquifer. Tracer techniques and water-age dating indicate a wide range of residence times for many springs, supporting the concept of multiple porosities. A perched aquifer produces small springs which issue from the contacts between sandstone and shale units, with variable groundwater residence times. Stable isotope data suggest both an elevational and seasonal difference in recharge between North and South Rim springs. This review highlights the complex nature of the groundwater system.     

昆仑山北坡岛状冻土区西大滩大型饮用矿泉群成因分析

在对昆仑山北坡岛状冻土区西大滩大型饮用矿泉群水文地质、导水与控水断裂、水化学等方面实地调查和EH-4高频、电测深勘探的基础上,认为矿泉群的补给源为昆仑山玉珠峰一带的现代冰川底部冰雪覆盖融区水、冰雪消融水、大气降水和地表水.补给源水通过具多期活动性的F3和F4正断层组破碎带补给深层地下水.深层地下水在西倾近南北向正断层组F2及F2-1,2的导水断层破碎带富集并继续向北径流,径流至F1南倾活动性逆断层上盘时,形成富水"三角区",并沿F1断层破碎带排泄出地表,是西大滩大型饮用矿泉群形成的主因.     

西藏多格错仁南岸钙华地球化学特征与钾盐地质意义

西藏多格错仁南岸地区发育有一系列正在沉积的钙华丘和盐泉,泉水具有较高的含钾异常,属于含钾溶滤卤水,因此确定泉水中的矿物质来源成为找钾的关键问题,研究钙华的地球化学特征和成因机制则有助于解决这一问题。区内钙华有原地钙华和碎屑钙华两种类型,且明显富集K、Fe等元素,具有明显的轻稀土富集特征。不同泉眼周围的钙华样品的稀土分配模式基本相同,表明区内钙华的钙物质具有同一来源层位。经过将钙华与区内主要地层的稀土元素特征进行比对,发现这些钙华和索瓦组具有明显的亲缘关系,针对两者的相关性分析也再次表明钙华和索瓦组的亲缘特征。在此基础上,结合区内古地理和古气候资料,认为索瓦组具有较好的找钾潜力。此外,盐泉和钙华的碳、氢、氧同位素数据说明,盐泉的水物质属于大气降水,形成钙华的CO₂则具有深部来源特征,研究区的钙华属热成因钙华。