Mineralogical–chemical composition and environmental risk potential of pond sediments at the geothermal field of Los Azufres, Mexico

Since 1982, estimated amounts of 9,400 t, 15,000 kg, 720 kg and 105 kg of Si, Fe, As and Cs respectively have accumulated at the bottom of 18 evaporation ponds as part of the geothermal production cycle at Los Azufres. This accumulation is caused by precipitation of brine solutes during the evaporation of 10% of the total pond water volume before its re-injection into the reservoir. Extraction experiments with pond precipitates and geochemical simulations with the PHREEQC program indicate the high solubility of most precipitates under natural environmental conditions. The comparisons with the primary brine composition indicate that less than 1% of most dissolved brine solutes, except for Co, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ag, Fe and Si, are accumulated at the pond bottom. Arsenic has maximum values of 160 mg/kg in the pond sediments, and Mo, Hg and Tl also exceed international environmental standards for contaminated soils. Elevated concentrations and the mobility potential of several metals and non-metals require the application of remediation techniques for the final disposal of the sediments in the future.