Investigation of Thermal and Mineral Springs in the Eifel Mountains Regarding Geothermal Indications

Summary

As a preliminary study for planned geothermal investigations in the Eifel mountains the hydrogeochemical data published until now were preliminarily interpreted. By applying discriminant analysis four hydrogeochemical groups of springs could be separated. Three of them represent independent types of mineral water whereas the last group represents a type of mixed water. The best separation in discriminant analysis was obtained by the HC0₃-content, the SO₄-content, both in mval %, and the Ca/Mg-ratio. Within the different groups those springs were pointed out which show most clearly the character of the respective group.

To obtain a first idea of the geothermal situation in the investigated area SiO₂- and Na-K-Ca-geotemperatures were calculated. Areas with higher geotemperatures were found in the following regions: the region of Aachen, the lower part of the Ahr valley and the area of Daun-Dreis-Gerolstein.