Stable isotope systematics of oxygen and carbon in rocks and minerals from the Cerro Prieto geothermal anomaly, Baja California, Mexico
Rock samples from a total of 50 drillholes in the Cerro Prieto geothermal area have been analysed by stable isotopic techniques. In particular, calcite in cuttings and core samples from these wells has been analysed to observe systematic variations in carbon (delta/sup 13/C) and oxygen (delta/sup 18/C) isotopic compositions. Consistent behaviours of these isotopic systems are observed and provide a large amount of information on the processes of calcite - water isotopic equilibration, dissolution precipitation and decarbonation occurring within and around the reservoir. Oxygen isotopic profiles of intergranular calcites in sandstones appear to be a reliable measure of the equilibrium temperature distribution in the field before production began. From these data, a detailed three-dimensional map has been developed. showing the equilibrium temperatures in the geothermal field. Of particular importance are many examples of temperature reversals at depth beneath the hot geothermal reservoir. Reversals of this sort provide strong constraints on the directions of fluid flow and the overall dynamics of the circulation systems.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Riverside, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 6240064
- Journal Information:
- Geothermics; (United States), Vol. 13:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CALCITE
ISOTOPE RATIO
CERRO PRIETO GEOTHERMAL FIELD
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
DRILL CORES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CARBON
DECARBONIZATION
DISSOLUTION
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
MINERALS
NATURAL OCCURRENCE
OXYGEN
PRECIPITATION
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RESERVOIR ROCK
SANDSTONES
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE MINERALS
CARBONATES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SURVEYS
WELLS
150202* - Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems- Non-USA- (-1989)
150302 - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology- Geochemical Techniques & Surveys