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Typical geothermal waters in the Ganzi–Litang fault, western Sichuan, China: hydrochemical processes and the geochemical characteristics of rare-earth elements

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Abstract

Hydrogeochemical processes and water–rock interactions of a geothermal system are important for understanding of the hydrochemical evolutionary process and genetic mechanisms of the geothermal system. The hydrochemistry, hydrogen and oxygen isotopes, and rare-earth elements (REEs) are discussed to reveal the hydrochemical characteristics and processes of these geothermal systems in Kahui and Gezha geothermal waters in the Ganzi–Litang fault in western Sichuan, China. The results show that the geothermal waters are Na-HCO3 type and influenced by combination of evaporite dissolution and silicate weathering. The isotopic compositions of δ2H and δ18O indicate that the geothermal water is recharged by atmospheric precipitation, and the oxygen isotope drifts in the Gezha geothermal water may be caused by water–rock interactions. The total REE content of the geothermal water is 0.059‒0.547 ug/L, and the REE contents are significantly influenced by pH and HCO3−, Na+, and Mn minerals. The chondrite-normalized REE pattern show geothermal water, cold springs, and surrounding rocks are rightward. The fractionation of rare-earth elements is affected by HCO3− complexation reactions, the dissolution of Mn minerals, and alternating cation adsorption. Moreover, the geothermal water exhibited positive Eu anomalies, which may be caused by the dissolution of feldspar minerals in surrounding rocks. In addition, the complexation patterns of REEs in geothermal water and cold springs in the Ganzi–Litang fault mainly include Ln(CO3)2− and LnCO3+, and the changes in the complexation patterns are influenced by the stability constants of complexation reactions and pH.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the grants from the geothermal survey project of the China Geological Survey (Grant No. DD20190128; Grant No. DD20221676) and basic research operations project of the Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (SK202212).

Funding

This work was supported by Basic Research Operations Project of the Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, under Grant SK202212, and the grants from the geothermal survey project of the China Geological Survey, under Grant Nos. DD20190128 and DD20221676.

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  1. The Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050061, China

    Shuaichao Wei, Feng Liu, Wei Zhang, Hanxiong Zhang, Jiayi Zhao, Yuzhong Liao & Xiaoxue Yan

  2. Technology Innovation Center of Geothermal and Hot Dry Rock Exploration and Development, Ministry of Natural Resources, Shijiazhuang, 050061, China

    Shuaichao Wei, Feng Liu, Wei Zhang, Hanxiong Zhang, Jiayi Zhao, Yuzhong Liao & Xiaoxue Yan

  3. China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China

    Feng Liu

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SW: Drafting the manuscript, analysis and interpretation of data. FL: Acquisition of data. WZ: Analysis and interpretation of data. HZ: Acquisition of data. YL: Participate in mapping. XY: Check the manuscript.

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Wei, S., Liu, F., Zhang, W. et al. Typical geothermal waters in the Ganzi–Litang fault, western Sichuan, China: hydrochemical processes and the geochemical characteristics of rare-earth elements. Environ Earth Sci 81, 538 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10652-x

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