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Hydrogeochemical characterization of the thermal springs in northeastern of Los Cabos Block, Baja California Sur, México

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 24, pages 13184–13202 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

The existence of hot springs in the northeastern part of Los Cabos Baja California Sur (BCS), is known from pre-Hispanic times, but their hydrochemical composition had not been previously described. Several springs are located within the watershed of Santiago, and the objective of this study was to define the hydrogeochemical composition of the thermal springs and to characterize the geothermal reservoir. A total of 16 water samples were taken in 11 geothermal manifestations under dry (June 2014) and humid (March 2015) conditions. A geothermal system of low enthalpy and low mineralization was found along the San José del Cabo Fault (FSJC), with an average salinity (TDS) of 261 mg/L and an alkaline pH (8.5–9.5). The hydrogeochemical composition corresponds to the sodium-bicarbonate type, and geothermometers (silica and Na–K) indicate temperatures ranging from 70 to 115 °C for the deep thermal reservoir in conditions of equilibrium. The thermal springs with these hydrogeochemical characteristics differ in respect to the hydrochemical composition of the springs, formally described on several sites of BCS. Br/Cl and B/Cl ratios as well as the enrichment factor (EF) indicate that rainwater with a seawater component represents the source of the thermal spring water. In the springs, a mixture between thermal water and surface water is observed, combined with a relatively deep water circulation, allowing a calcium–sodium exchange, according to the host rock geochemistry. The higher temperatures found at some hot springs are related to the main trace of the San José del Cabo Fault.

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Acknowledgments

CONACYT (Mexican Sciences and Technology National Council) scholarship grant No. 309028.

UABCS (Autonomous University of Baja California Sur) for fund grants.

Geology and Marine Biology departments of UABCS.

Geology Institute of San Luis Potosí and Engineering Faculty of Earth Science of the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, México.

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  1. Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Carretera al Sur Km 5.5, CP 23080, La Paz, B.C.S, Mexico

    Pablo Hernández-Morales & Jobst Wurl

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  1. Pablo Hernández-Morales
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Hernández-Morales, P., Wurl, J. Hydrogeochemical characterization of the thermal springs in northeastern of Los Cabos Block, Baja California Sur, México. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 13184–13202 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8087-x

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Keywords

  • Thermal springs
  • Geothermometry
  • Hydrogeochemistry
  • Alkaline waters
  • San José del Cabo Fault (FSJC)
  • Los Cabos Block (BLC)
  • Gulf of California