Geothermal Fluids

Provides a critical review of the application of geochemical techniques to the evaluation of geothermal resources. It describes the processes controlling geothermal fluid chemistry and illustrates how water and gas chemistry can be used to understand geothermal system conditions.

---

This is a comprehensive introduction to the chemistry of geothermal water and gas discharges, including the application of isotope studies, which assumes no prior knowledge of geothermal fluid chemistry. The critical interpretation of discharge chemistry in terms of resource evaluation and the development of hydrological models are emphasized. The text is divided into two parts. Following an introduction to the genesis of geothermal fluids, the first part deals with water, gas and isotope chemistry. The chemical behaviour of common constituents and the interpretation of the chemical signature of fluids are discussed, with stress placed on the evaluation of reservoir conditions and subsurface flow regimes. The second section describes techniques in geochemical exploration for geothermal resources. Individual chapters deal with the planning, execution and critical evaluation of water, gas and soil surveys. Analytical methods, units and data presentation techniques are also covered in this section.