Thermal springs in Lake Baikal

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Geology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1992)020<0495:TSILB>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:7004326

Shanks, III, W C; Callender, E ^[1]

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1. Geological Survey, Reston, VA (United States)

Pore waters extracted from sediment cores were analyzed for their oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions and major ion chemistry to determine the source of water from a vent area for diffuse lake-bottom thermal springs or seeps in Frolikha Bay, northeastern Lake Baikal. The {delta}{sup 18}O values of pore waters range from {minus}15.2{per thousand} to {minus}16.7{per thousand}, and {delta}D values range from {minus}119{per thousand} to {minus}126{per thousand} (both isotopes determined relative to standard mean ocean water (SMOW)). Bottom water in Lake Baikal has a {delta}{sup 18}O value of {minus}5.6{per thousand} and a {delta}D values of {minus}120{per thousand}. Pore waters in the vent area are significantly enriched in Mg, K, Ca, and especially Na and have the lowest {delta}D and {delta}{sup 18}O values; these pore waters are isotopically and chemically distinct from pore waters in other, more typical parts of the lake. The pore-water isotopic data fall on a local meteoric water line, and covariations in water isotopes and chemistry are not consistent with evaporation or hydrothermal water-rock interaction. The thermal springs represent discharging meteoric waters that have been gently heated during subsurface circulation and are largely unaltered isotopically. Chemical variations are most likely due to dissolution of subsurface evaporites.

• OSTI ID: 7004326
• Journal Information: Geology; (United States), Journal Name: Geology; (United States) Vol. 20:6; ISSN GLGYB; ISSN 0091-7613
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
ASIA
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EUROPE
EVALUATION
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
INTERFACES
INTERSTITIAL WATER
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
LAKE BAIKAL
LAKES
METEORIC WATER
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN ISOTOPES
RIFT ZONES
SEDIMENT-WATER INTERFACES
SEDIMENTS
SIBERIA
SURFACE WATERS
THERMAL SPRINGS
THERMAL WATERS
USSR
WATER
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER SPRINGS