GEOTHERMOMETER

MK: Eksplorasi Geokimia Panas Bumi

 Outline
Silica Geo-thermometer

Na/K, Na-K-Ca, Na-K-Ca Mg

correction Geothermometer

K/Mg

Gas Geothermometer

Geoindicator

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 Overview of Geothermometer
Must consider limitations of applying geothermometry
Geothermometers valid in different temperature ranges
Equilibrate at different rates and respond differently to
boiling/cooling in upflow zones
Need understanding of basic and simplifying assumptions

Insights from geothermometry can be misleading could have a

negative impact on the way the resource is explored and
subsequently developed, if limitations are not taken into account.

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 Basic Assumptions

Solute geothermometers are based on temperature-dependent mineral-fluid

equilibria their successful application relies on 5 assumptions:
1. The concentration of elements or species to be used in the
geothermometer is controlled only by a temperature-dependent
mineral-fluid reaction
2. There is an abundance of the minerals and/or dissolved species in the
fluid system for the reaction to occur readily
3. The reaction attains equilibrium in the reservoir
4. There is a rapid flow to the surface with no re-equilibration after the
fluid leaves the reservoir (i.e. no near-surface reactions)
5. There is no mixing or dilution of the deep fluid (this assumption can be
passed, if the extent of dilution can be evaluated)

(Nicholson, 1996)

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 Silica Geothermometer
Adiabatic (Maximum steam loss)
Compensates for loss of steam from boiling solutions
The resultant increase in concentration of silica
The cooling of the solution by adiabatic expansion due to
decrease in the hydrostatic hydrodynamic pressure head.
Best used for well discharges and vigorously boiling springs
(especially those with silica sinter deposits)
1522
= 273,15 (Fournier, 1977)
5,75 log(2)

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 Silica Geothermometer
Conductive (no steam loss)
applies to those waters that cool solely by conduction during
ascent
best used for springs at sub-boiling temperatures
giving a maximum estimate of the reservoir temperatures
based on quartz solubility
or
for well data
= 5,19 that have
1309
been calculated
273,15 (Fournier,to1977)
reservoir
conditions log(2)

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 Silica Geothermometer
Chalcedony geothermometer
indicate temperature of 120-180C it is possible that
chalcedony may control silica solubility.

1112
= 273,15 (Arnorsson, 1983)
4,91 log(2)

Amorphous geothermometer
if the calculated temperature is below 100C, the
amorphous silica may control the solubility,

731
= 273,15 (Arnorsson, 1977)
4,52 log(2)

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 Silica Geothermometer

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 Silica geothermometer for higher temperature

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 Na/K Geothermometers slow equlibration
Reaction between alkali feldspars
NaAlSi3O8 + K+ = KAlSi3O8 + Na+
Albite K-feldspar
Waters from high temperature reservoirs of chloride waters are suitable for
this geothermometer.
It is less affected by dilution or steam loss given that it is based on a ratio.
Applicable to 350C, as the re-equilibration is slower than that of the silica-
quartz geothermometer
The Na-K geothermometer may give indications regarding the deeper part
of the system in comparison to the silica quartz geothermometer

Weakness
The Na-K geothermometer gives poor results below 100C.
Unsuitable if the waters contain high concentration of calcium (Ca) as is
the case for springs depositing travertine.

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 Na/K Geothermometers

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 Na-K-Ca Geothermometer

Developed by Fournier and Truesdell (1973)

For application to waters with high concentrations of calcium
Equilibrium between Na-K feldspars plus conversion of calcium
alumino silicate minerals (e.g. Plagioclase) to calcite.
It does not give high and misleading results for cold and slightly
thermal, non-equilibrated waters.

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 Mg correction for the Na-K-Ca geothermometer
Most fluids >180C, contain <0.2 mg/kg Mg.
This strong temperature dependence of Mg concentration is mainly
due to the formation of chlorite.
At higher temperatures, other minerals such as biotite or actinolite
may also remove Mg from solution.
At cooler temperatures, Mg may be incorporated into clays or
carbonates.
The presence of high Mg gives anomalously high temperature
results.
Best applied to sub-boiling springs with high discharge rates.

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 K/Mg Geothermometers fast equlibration
Applied to situations where dissolved Na and Ca have not
equilibrated between fluid and rock.
Comparable speed
Fluid movement and cooling rates will increase with boiling
Slow moving & single liquid phase
This geothermometer re-equilibrates quickly at cooler
temperatures related to the reaction:
0.8K-mica + 0.2chlorite + 5.4silica + 2K+ 2.8 K-feldspar +
1.6H2O + Mg2+

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 Na-K-Mg Geothermometer
Trilinear NKM Indicator diagram (Giggenbach, 1983)
Combines Na-K and K-Mg geothermometer equations
represent slow (Na/K) and fast (K-Mg) equilibrating reactions
Allow evaluation of deep temperature and shallow equilibration
temperatures
Allow visualization of large number of samples
Forces qualitative approach

tK-Na tK-
Mg

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 Gas Geothermometer
Surface manifestations in most geothermal fields consist mainly of
fumaroles, springs and hot grounds (Arnorsson, 2000).
This motivated the early scientists to develop gas
geothermometers, e.g. DAmore and Panichi (1980).
There are 3 types of gas geothermometers based on;
Gas- gas equilibria
Gas-mineral equilibria
Mineral gas equilibria involving the residual gases such as,
CH4, H2, H2S.
Temperature dependent gas-gas and or mineral gas equilibria are
believed to control the concentrations of gases like CO2, H2S, H2,
N2, NH3 and CH4 in geothermal reservoir fluids.
Arnorsson and Gunnlaugsson (1985) proposed temperature
functions for six geothermometers applicable to fumarolic steam.

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 Three (3) were based on the * The gas concentration is
concentrations of CO2, H2S, and H2 in mmol/kg of steam.
respectively.

Two (2) were based on the gas

ratios (CO2/H2) and H2/H2S).

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 CAR-HAR

Powell & Cumming, 2010

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 FT-HSH2

Siega et. al, 2010

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