Initial investigation of soil mercury geochemistry as an aid to drill site selection in geothermal systems
A mercury-in-soil survey was conducted at the Roosevelt Hot Springs Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA), Utah, to evaluate mercury soil geochemistry as a method of selecting exploration well sites in a hot-water geothermal system. Samples of -80 mesh soil were collected at 30.5 m intervals along traverses crossing known structures, surficial geothermal alteration, and exploration well sites, and were analyzed using a Gold Film Mercury Detector. Strong mercury anomalies occur at locations along known structures in close proximity to subsurface thermal activity; examples include areas over hot spring deposits and near a shallow producing well. In contrast, background mercury concentrations are present in nearby locations with little or no indication of subsurface thermal activity, such as areas around deep marginal producing wells and dry wells, and areas lacking hot spring deposits. These results indicate that mercury geochemical surveys can be useful for identifying and mapping structures controlling fluid flow in geothermal systems and for delineating areas overlying near-surface thermal activity. Soil mercury geochemistry thus provides information which may aid in the cost-effective selection of exploratory well sites.
- Research Organization:
- Utah Univ., Salt Lake City (USA). Research Inst.
- DOE Contract Number:
- EG-78-C-07-1701
- OSTI ID:
- 5778808
- Report Number(s):
- IDO-78-1701.b.3.3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
MERCURY
ABUNDANCE
ROOSEVELT HOT SPRINGS
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
SOILS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGY
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
KGRA
MAPPING
SAMPLING
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
USA
UTAH
Geothermal Legacy
150302* - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology- Geochemical Techniques & Surveys