Hydrochemistry characteristics and genesis mode of hot springs in the Luolou River basin, Yunnan, China

Authors

LUO Huan, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, ChinaFollow
LIU Zhennan, Kunming Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Kunming 650111, China; Innovation Base for Eco-geological Evolution, Protection, and Restoration of Southwest Mountainous Areas, Geological Society of China, Kunming 650100, China
MA Yiqi, Kunming Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Kunming 650111, China; Innovation Base for Eco-geological Evolution, Protection, and Restoration of Southwest Mountainous Areas, Geological Society of China, Kunming 650100, ChinaFollow
ZHANG Yunhui, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
TAO Lanchu, Kunming Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Kunming 650111, China; Innovation Base for Eco-geological Evolution, Protection, and Restoration of Southwest Mountainous Areas, Geological Society of China, Kunming 650100, China
CHEN Qingsong, Kunming Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Kunming 650111, China; Innovation Base for Eco-geological Evolution, Protection, and Restoration of Southwest Mountainous Areas, Geological Society of China, Kunming 650100, China
FU Dunkai, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
WU Xiangchuan, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China

Abstract

The hydrochemistry and genesis mechanism of thermal springs hold great significance for the exploitation and utilization of low to intermediate temperature geothermal resources. Under the influence of a concealed fault zone, thermal springs in the Luolou River basin, Yunnan Province, are distributed along both sides of valleys and exposed in Quaternary loose deposits and Permian basalt strata. It belongs to low to intermediate temperature thermal spring water, with temperatures ranging between 34.5 and 50.0℃, pH is between 7.62-9.73, TDS is between 262-702 mg/L. Based on the hydrochemical and isotopic tests of thermal spring samples and nearby cold water samples from the Luolou River basin, this study explored the hydrological cycle, hydrochemical evolution, and genesis mode of the thermal springs and groundwater using the hydrogeochemical method. The results show that the thermal spring water has a hydrochemical type of HCO₃-Na due to the mixing of HCO₃-Ca type shallow cold groundwater. Furthermore, the chemical compositions of the thermal springs and cold groundwater are influenced by the leaching of silicate and carbonate minerals. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope analysis indicates that the thermal springs and cold groundwater are primarily recharged by meteoric precipitation, with recharge elevation ranging from 2007 to 2307 m. The recharge area is the mountain range of the valley, such as the northwest Maer Mountain, the north Guogai Mountain and the central Zuojia Mountain. The thermal springs exhibit reservoir temperatures ranging from 68.4 to 150.0℃, as estimated using silica geothermometers, silica-enthalpy mixing model, and multi-mineral equilibrium simulations. The mixing ratio of cold water is estimated to be 77.9%-90.5% by silica-enthalpy mixing model. Regarding the genesis mode of thermal springs in the Luolou River basin, the atmospheric precipitation infiltrates along the fissure or karst channel, and is then heated by terrestrial heat flow during deep underground circulation with a depth of 2 872-3 724 m. Afterward, driven by the high temperature and the density difference between cold and hot water, the water upwells along the concealed Bailiancun fault zone, exposed as low to intermediate temperature thermal springs in the Quaternary strata. The results of this study will provide a basis for the exploitation and utilization of hot springs in the Luolou River basin and exploring the exploitation potential of the same type of low to intermediate temperature geothermal resources.

Keywords

Luolou River basin, thermal spring, hydrochemistry characteristics, reservoir temperature, multiple mineral equilibrium simulation, genesis mode

DOI

10.12363/issn.1001-1986.23.10.0689

Recommended Citation

LUO Huan, LIU Zhennan, MA Yiqi, et al. (2024) "Hydrochemistry characteristics and genesis mode of hot springs in the Luolou River basin, Yunnan, China," Coal Geology & Exploration: Vol. 52: Iss. 1, Article 7.
DOI: 10.12363/issn.1001-1986.23.10.0689
Available at: https://cge.researchcommons.org/journal/vol52/iss1/7

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