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Abstract: Isotope techniques are indispensable tools in geothermal investigations. Because isotope ratios are
sensitive to temperature and natural physicochemical processes, such as water-rock interaction, mixing, and steam
separation, they can be efficiently used in tracing the origin of geothermal fluids and the processes that the fluids
have undergone at subsurface. They are also useful in an estimation of reservoir temperature of geothermal systems,
as well as the subsurface residence time of waters. The most commonly used isotopes in geothermal studies include
those of oxygen (18O/16O), hydrogen (D/H, 3H), carbon (13C/12C) and helium (3He/4He). These isotopes,
particularly when combined and accompanied by gas ratios (CO2/He), can provide valuable information at various
stages of geothermal investigation. During exploration, O- and H-isotope studies are utilized in determining the
source of geothermal water, identifying possible recharge areas and flow directions, and estimating age and
reservoir temperature of the system, while C- and He-isotopes are potential tracers of volatile provenance which in
turn can be used in assessing the possible heat source and reservoir lithology. During development of geothermal
field, establishment of a baseline for isotopic compositions is particularly important as this can be later used to
monitor the changes in composition. At the stage of geothermal exploitation, any change in fluid composition can be
indication of the reservoir response to fluid production (such as cold water inflow due to pressure drawdown and/or
adiabatic boiling and subsequent scaling), and provide an early warning for proper reservoir management.
1.1
Radioactive isotopes
U 206Pb + 8
235
U 207Pb + 7
1.2
Stable isotopes
ABUNDANCE
ISOTOPES
(% atom)
1
99.985
0.015
16
99.76
17
0.04
Where
18
= fractionation factor
0.20
12
98.89
13
1.11
0.000137
99.999863
Hydrogen
= RA/RB
Oxygen
O
C
Carbon
He
Helium
13
13
He
12
2.1
Parameter
Ratio
Reference
standard
Hydrogen
D/H
SMOW
Oxygen
18O
18
SMOW
Carbon
13C
13
**
O/16O
C/12C
2.1.1
PDB
**
2.1.2
Figure 5: D vs 18O diagram showing the effects of
natural processes on water composition.
Hgw = 3Hatm e- t
R/RA
13C
Crust
0.01-0.1
0 to -40
Mantle
8-10
-6.5
where,
CO2 /3He
11
10 -10
13
2*109
**
2.3
Geothermometry applications
CO2 methane
12
Case studies
Anatolia
from
western
1000ln=15.25*103/T+2.432*106/T2-9.56
Methane hydrogen gas
CH3D + H2 = HDO + CH4
1000ln=288.9*103/T+31.86*106/T2-238.28
Hydrogen gas-steam
HD + H2O = H2 + HDO
1000ln=396.8*103/T+11.76*106/T2-217.3
Hydrogen gas-water
1000ln=396.8*103/T+25.196*106/T2-284
CO2-steam
1000ln=7.849*103/T+2.941*106/T2-887
CO2-water
1000ln=-18.2*103/T+7.626*106/T2+19.6
Figure 8: Map showing (a) tectonic setting of the western Anatolian region, (b) sample locations (From Mutlu et
al., 2008 and the references therein).
Concluding Remarks
References
Albu, M., Banks, D. and Nash, H.: Mineral and
Thermal Groundwater Resources. Chapman and
Hall, London, 1997.
Mutlu, H., Gle, N. and Hilton, D.R.: HeliumCarbon Relationships in Geothermal Fluids of
Western Anatolia, Turkey. Chemical Geology, v.
247, 305-321, 2008.
Sharp,
Z.:
Principles
of
Stable
Isotope
GeochemistryPearson, Prentice Hall, New Jersey,
2007.
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