Genesis of Geothermal Water in the Hinterland of Guanzhong Basin, China: Insight from Hydrochemical and Isotopic Analysis

Abstract

The Guanzhong Basin, located in Shaanxi Province, China, has abundant geothermal resources in its hinterland. Focusing on typical thermal reservoir structural units, namely the Xianli fault-step (XL) and Xi’an depression (XA), this study reveals the genesis of geothermal water by combining hydrochemistry and environmental isotopes. The geothermal waters of XL uniformly correspond to the Na-Cl type with high contents of major ions, while the geothermal water of XA has complex hydrochemical types. The quartz geothermometer (with maximum steam loss) and the Na-K-Ca geothermometer are recommended for XL and the quartz geothermometer (with no and maximum steam loss) and the Na-K geothermometer for XA. Their temperature ranges are 99–159 and 93–146 °C, respectively. The circulation depth of geofluids in the XL and XA ranges from 2 579 to 4 766 m and from 2 541 to 4 330 m, with mean apparent ages of 21 543 and 20 345 yr B.P., respectively. The geothermal water in XL originates from a mixture of sedimentary water and ancient infiltration water, and its formation mode is vertical heat conduction with a cooling process. In contrast, the geothermal water in XA originates from the dual process of cooling and mixing, with the process being dominated by ancient infiltration water and supplemented by modern infiltration water.

Keywords

geothermal water / hydrochemistry / isotope / geothermometer / Guanzhong Basin

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