Geochemistry of the thermal springs and fumaroles of Basse-Terre Island, Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to study jointly the volcanic-hydrothermal system of the high-risk volcano La Soufriere, in the southern part of Basse-Terre, and the geothermal area of Bouillante, on its western coast, to derive an all-embracing and coherent conceptual geochemical model that provides the necessary basis for adequate volcanic surveillance and further geothermal exploration. The active andesitic dome of La Soufriere has erupted eight times since 1660, most recently in 1976–1977. All these historic eruptions have been phreatic. High-salinity, Na–Cl geothermal liquids circulate in the Bouillante geothermal reservoir, at temperatures close to 250 °C. These Na–Cl solutions rise toward the surface, undergo boiling and mixing with groundwater and/or seawater, and feed most Na–Cl thermal springs in the central Bouillante area. The Na–Cl thermal springs are surrounded by Na–HCO3 thermal springs and by the Na–Cl thermal spring of Anse a la Barque (a groundwater slightly mixed with seawater), which are all heated through conductive transfer. The two main fumarolic fields of La Soufriere area discharge vapors formed through boiling of hydrothermal aqueous solutions at temperatures of 190–215 °C below the "Ty" fault area and close to 260 °C below the dome summit. The boiling liquid producing the vapors of the Ty fault area has δD and δ18O values relatively similar to those of the Na–Cl liquids of the Bouillante geothermal reservoir, whereas the liquid originating the vapors of the summit fumaroles is strongly enriched in 18O, due to input of magmatic fluids from below. This process is also responsible for the paucity of CH4 in the fumaroles. The thermal features around La Soufriere dome include: (a) Ca–SO4 springs, produced through absorption of hydrothermal vapors in shallow groundwaters; (b) conductively heated, Ca–Na–HCO3 springs; and (c) two Ca–Na–Cl springs produced through mixing of shallow Ca–SO4 waters and deep Na–Cl hydrothermal liquids. The geographical distribution of the different thermal features of La Soufriere area indicates the presence of: (a) a central zone dominated by the ascent of steam, which either discharges at the surface in the fumarolic fields or is absorbed in shallow groundwaters; and (b) an outer zone, where the shallow groundwaters are heated through conduction or addition of Na–Cl liquids coming from hydrothermal aquifer(s).