Gas chemistry, boiling and phase segregation in a geothermal system, Hellisheidi, Iceland

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The geochemistry of aquifer fluids of the Hellisheidi geothermal system, southwest Iceland, was studied. Based on samples of vapor and liquid from well discharge fluids, the aquifer fluid compositions at the depth of the geothermal system were reconstructed taking into account the highly variable degree of excess well discharge enthalpy, where the enthalpy of the discharge is significantly higher than that of vapor-saturated liquid at the measured aquifer temperature. Decreasing concentrations of non-volatile components such as Si in the total well discharge suggest that the main cause of elevated discharge enthalpies is liquid–vapor phase segregation, i.e. the retention of liquid in the aquifer rock due to its adhesion onto mineral surfaces. Moreover, the slightly lower than equilibrium calculated concentrations of H2 and H2S in some of the hottest and highest-enthalpy wells is considered to be caused by conductive heat transfer from the rocks to the fluids. Alternatively, the cause may lie in the selection of the phase segregation conditions. The calculated concentrations of volatile species in the aquifer fluid are very sensitive to the assumed phase segregation conditions while non-volatiles are not greatly affected by this model parameter. In general, the level of uncertainty does not contradict previous findings of a close approach to fluid–mineral equilibrium at aquifer temperatures above 250°C. The CO2 concentrations were observed to fall below equilibrium with respect to the most likely mineral buffers, suggesting a possible source control. Elevated H2 concentrations indicate a small equilibrium vapor fraction in aquifer fluids (∼0.2% by mass or ∼3% by volume). Previous conceptual models of the Hengill volcanic area (e.g. Bödvarsson et al., 1990) have implied a central magmatic heat source underlying the Hengill central volcano. Instead, a new conceptual model of the Hellisheidi system is proposed that features two main regions of fluid upflow heated by a complex of dikes and sills associated with an eruptive fissure active during the Holocene.