ISSN:
1745-6584
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Geosciences
Notes:
Stable isotope and fluid chemistry investigations in complex hydrogeologic areas have proven useful in delineating the origin of thermal waters and their interaction with local ground-water reservoirs. The application of these techniques is illustrated using water samples collected from all hot and warm springs and many of the wells in the East Shore area, Utah. These samples were analyzed for major cations and anions, oxygen-18/oxygen-16 and deuterium/hydrogen ratios.The data presented suggest the presence of at least two and perhaps three distinct hydrogeologic regimes. One regime involves fault-controlled deep circulation of waters derived from high elevations in mountains toward the east. These waters evolved into the sodium plus potassium, chloride-enriched hot spring fluids that are high in total dissolved salt concentration (greater than 4,000 mg/1), exhibit oxygen-18 enrichment due to geochemical rock-water interaction at depth and have deuterium/hydrogen ratios similar to high elevation mountain springs. A second hydrogeologic regime is comprised of waters derived from lower elevations that infiltrate into the shallow valley sediments. These dilute calcium plus magnesium, bicarbonate fluids comprise most of the area's ground-water supply.Leakage of thermal waters into overlying cooler aquifers is observed in the vicinity of the hot springs, and is believed to occur in several other portions of the East Shore area. These leakage zones make up the third hydrogeologic regime observed in the East Shore area.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1982.tb01374.x
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