Geothermometry and water–rock interaction modelling at Hafralækur: Possible implications of temperature and CO2 on hydrogeochemical changes previously linked to earthquakes in northern Iceland

Abstract

The low enthalpy (T < 150 °C) groundwater in the HA01 borehole at Hafralækur has a long time series (2008–2018) of chemical and isotopic data. In the previous studies, the variations in chemical and isotope parameters were statistically related to seismic activity. However, the possible effect of temperature has not yet been evaluated. To fill this gap, the results obtained from the classical geothermometric equations (silica solid phases, Na/K, Na-K-Ca) were compared. However, considering that the use of classical geothermometry using the Na/K ratio or silica solid phases solubility is limited by the presence of clay minerals and alkaline conditions (i.e., the presence of pH-dependant silicate anions), new equilibria reactions between labradorite, zeolites (analcime, stilbite) and the activity of the dissolved species in the fluid are presented to overcome this problem. In addition, kinetic reaction path models are presented to trace the possible role of both temperature and CO2 during the most evident chemical variations during earthquakes.