Abstract
Arsenic is an important trace constituent in geothermal fluids, ranging in concentration from less than 0.1 to nearly 50 ppm. An evaluation of published fluid analyses from geothermal systems indicates that the As content of the reservoir fluids varies inversely with P H 2S and directly with temperature. Aqueous As species occur in two oxidation states, As III and As V. As III predominates in the reservoir fluids, where H 3AsO 3 is inferred to be the dominant aqueous species. Both AS III and As V occur in hot spring fluids. The concentration of As in high-temperature reservoir fluids is regulated by reactions involving pyrite. Concentrations up to 3.8 weight percent As have been measured in pyrite from two systems. The erratic distribution of As in the samples studied is interpreted as resulting from local fluctuations in redox conditions. Arsenopyrite and other As minerals are undersaturated with respect to the high temperature fluids found in most reservoirs. In contrast, orpiment, realgar, As-rich stibnite and marcasite, and iron oxides control the deposition of As in hot spring environments. These minerals become stable in response to decreasing temperature and pH and increasing P O 2 .
Published Version
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