Hydrogeochemical Evaluation and Geothermometry Application of the Gediz Thermal Waters, Kütahya Area, Turkey

Abstract

Kutahya-Gediz geothermal field has a great potential for space heating. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reservoir temperature by using the hydrochemical compositions of the thermal springs and borehole samples.
The Cenozoic aged conglomerate, sandstone, limestone and metamorphic rocks of gneiss, metaquartzite, various schists of Paleozoic age comprise the reservoir rocks. Fractures and faults in these rocks form the reservoir for waters to be heated at depth. Thermal waters hosted by Menderes metamorphic rocks emerge along fault lineaments in the Gediz geothermal area. Studies were carried out to obtain the main chemical and physical characteristics of thermal waters.
The thermal waters of the Gediz geothermal field, with temperatures range from 57 to 97 ºC and condutivities of 3000-5500 µS/cm. They are generally enriched in Na+K-SO4 and suggest deep water circulation. The reservoir temperature of the Kütahya-Gediz geothermal system is evaluated as 123ºC by using silica and cation geothermometers.