Isotopic and noble gas geochemistry in geothermal research
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., CA (United States)
The objective of this program is to provide, through isotopic analyses of fluids, fluid inclusions, and rocks and minerals coupled with improved methods for geochemical data analysis, needed information regarding sources of geothermal heat and fluids, the spatial distribution of fluid types, subsurface flow, water-rock reaction paths and rates, and the temporal evolution of geothermal systems. Isotopic studies of geothermal fluids have previously been limited to the light stable isotopes of H, C, and O. However, other isotopic systems such as the noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe) and reactive elements (e.g. B, N, S, Sr and Pb) are complementary and may even be more important in some geothermal systems. The chemistry and isotopic composition of a fluid moving through the crust will change in space and time in response to varying chemical and physical parameters or by mixing with additional fluids. The chemically inert noble gases often see through these variations, making them excellent tracers for heat and fluid sources. Whereas, the isotopic compositions of reactive elements are useful tools in characterizing water-rock interaction and modeling the movement of fluids through a geothermal reservoir.
- Research Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 603401
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EE-0139; CONF-970376-; ON: DE98001891; TRN: 98:001819-0002
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 15. US Department of Energy`s geothermal program review, San Francisco, CA (United States), 24-26 Mar 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Role of research in the changing world of energy supply. Proceedings geothermal program review XV; PB: 347 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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