Geochemical and isotopic characteristics of geothermal springs hosted by deep-seated faults in Dongguan Basin, Southern China

Mao, Xumei; Wang, Yanxin; Zhan, Hongbin; Feng, Liang

doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2015.07.008

Cited by 37 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…These measurements are verified by analysis undertaken by Mao et al (2015), who also sampled the thermal springs in the area with similar results, as shown in Error! Reference source not found.. …”

Section: Hot Spring Samplingsupporting

confidence: 71%

On the Geothermal Potential of the Heyuan Fault, South China

Tannock

Regenauer‐Lieb

2018

ASEG Extended Abstracts

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SUMMARYGeothermal energy potential in China is high, and although they currently lead the way in direct heat production, geothermal power generation is still low. Hot spring analysis and surface heat flux data indicate significant potential resources for the major industrial province of Guangdong, South China. This pilot study investigates the Heyuan Fault, Guangdong, as a potential site for a geothermal power plant. Here we line out (i) preferred locations of possible hot spots on fault intersections, (ii) the possible sources of the heat anomalies, (iii) potential pathways for hot fluid circulation in the upper crust, (iv) available hot spring data and (v) the future work plan to investigate the geothermal hot spots.We find that hot springs occur along the NE trending Heyuan Fault, clustering where NNW striking faults crosscut the Heyuan. The increased heat flow can be explained partly by radioactive decay of a large granite pluton beneath the fault, however, additional heat sources may need to be considered to explain the heat flow maxima of above 85 mWm -2 . We postulate that advective (topographically driven) and convective (deep fluids ponding at the brittle-ductile transition) processes may be operating to generate these heat anomalies.Expansive quartz reef systems exposed on the Heyuan Fault, are proposed here, to represent uplifted sections of these deep fluid circulation patterns. A detailed systematic analysis of reef structures will reveal (i) the fluid provenance, (ii) precipitation conditions and (iii) deformation mechanisms, which will ultimately help us understand how fault intersection relations control fluid flow; which is of key significance if it can be utilised for targeting geothermal energy.

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Section: Hot Spring Samplingsupporting

confidence: 71%

On the Geothermal Potential of the Heyuan Fault, South China

Tannock

Regenauer‐Lieb

2018

ASEG Extended Abstracts

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“…The temperature of the spring water is usually around 90 • C with a maximum of 98 • C. Several boreholes were drilled around the hot spring. The production of hot water is up to 2500 m 3…”

Section: Thermal-geological Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Geological structures relating to geothermal activities, such as faults, usually complicate the flow and chemistry of deep circulation groundwater. Generally, a geothermal system is mainly fed by meteoric water infiltrating at different altitudes including rain water and snowmelt [3][4][5]. Mountain regions are usually the recharge area [6,7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hydrogeochemical and Isotopic Constraints on the Pattern of a Deep Circulation Groundwater Flow System

et al. 2019

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Characterization of a deep circulation groundwater flow system is a big challenge, because the flow field and aqueous chemistry of deep circulation groundwater is significantly influenced by the geothermal reservoir. In this field study, we employed a geochemical approach to recognize a deep circulation groundwater pattern by combined the geochemistry analysis with isotopic measurements. The water samples were collected from the outlet of the Reshui River Basin which has a hot spring with a temperature of 88 °C. Experimental results reveal a fault-controlled deep circulation geothermal groundwater flow system. The weathering crust of the granitic mountains on the south of the basin collects precipitation infiltration, which is the recharge area of the deep circulation groundwater system. Water infiltrates from the land surface to a depth of about 3.8–4.3 km where the groundwater is heated up to around 170 °C in the geothermal reservoir. A regional active normal fault acts as a pathway of groundwater. The geothermal groundwater is then obstructed by a thrust fault and recharged by the hot spring, which is forced by the water pressure of convection derived from the 800 m altitude difference between the recharge and the discharge areas. Some part of groundwater flow within a geothermal reservoir is mixed with cold shallow groundwater. The isotopic fraction is positively correlated with the seasonal water table depth of shallow groundwater. Basic mineral dissolutions at thermoneutral conditions, hydrolysis with the aid of carbonic acid produced by the reaction of carbon dioxide with the water, and hydrothermal alteration in the geothermal reservoir add some extra chemical components into the geothermal water. The alkaline deep circulation groundwater is chemically featured by high contents of sodium, sulfate, chloride, fluorine, silicate, and some trace elements, such as lithium, strontium, cesium, and rubidium. Our results suggest that groundwater deep circulation convection exists in mountain regions where water-conducting fault and water-blocking fault combined properly. A significant elevation difference of topography is the other key.

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“…For example, Zaher et al established a conceptual model based on numerical simulations to determine the origins and sources of heat in thermal springs with varied temperatures in Egypt [4]. Mao et al determined the chemical and isotopic compositions of thermal and mineral springs in the Dongguan Basin of southern China and assessed how the hydrothermal system was controlled by deep-seated faults [5]. The characteristics of the thermal and cold water and the formation of the geothermal system within a 16 km 2 area in western Turkey were determined by Pasvanoglu in 2012, who indicated that the heat source was likely related to volcanic activity [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrogeochemistry and Genesis Analysis of Thermal and Mineral Springs in Arxan, Northeastern China

Zhang

Cui

et al. 2017

Water

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Abstract:In this work, the hydrogeochemistry and environmental isotopic compositions of thermal and mineral springs in Arxan, northeastern China, were used to assess the genesis of the thermal system hosted by deep-seated faults. The reservoir temperature was calculated using the mineral saturation index and geothermometers. According to isotopic analysis, the spring water was of meteoric origin. Sixteen springs in the Arxan geothermal system with outlet temperatures ranging from 10.9 to 41.0 • C were investigated. The water samples can be classified into four groups by using a Piper diagram. The aquifer in which the Group I and Group III samples were obtained was a shallow cold aquifer of the Jurassic system, which is related to the local groundwater system and contains HCO 3 -Ca·Na groundwater. The Group II and Group IV samples were recharged by deeply circulating meteoric water with HCO 3 -Na and HCO 3 ·SO 4 -Na·Ca groundwater, respectively. The springs rise from the deep basement faults. The estimated thermal reservoir temperature is 50.9-68.8 • C, and the proportion of shallow cold water ranges from 54% to 87%. A conceptual flow model based on hydrogeochemical results and hydrogeological features is given to describe the geothermal system of the Arxan springs.

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Geochemical and isotopic characteristics of geothermal springs hosted by deep-seated faults in Dongguan Basin, Southern China

Cited by 37 publications

References 65 publications

On the Geothermal Potential of the Heyuan Fault, South China

On the Geothermal Potential of the Heyuan Fault, South China

Hydrogeochemical and Isotopic Constraints on the Pattern of a Deep Circulation Groundwater Flow System

Hydrogeochemistry and Genesis Analysis of Thermal and Mineral Springs in Arxan, Northeastern China

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