Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Genetic Mechanisms of Geothermal Fields in the Xi'an Depression of the Weihe Basin

Abstract

The geothermal resources in sedimentary basins have high potential for development and utilization, and have become an important research topic worldwide(Olasolo et al.,2016; Pasvanoğlu and Çelik., 2019; Duan et al.,2022). This paper focuses on the genetic mechanism and evolution process of deep geothermal water were explored through the analysis of hydrogeochemical and isotope geochemical data, which can provide technical and theoretical support for the sustainable development of geothermal fields in the Weihe basin. The study indicates that: (1)the hydrochemical type of geothermal water of Dongda geothermal field are predominantly HCO3·SO4-Na type. Meanwhile, the hydrochemical type of geothermal water of the northern Xi'an Depression are mainly SO4·HCO3-Na and SO4·HCO3·Cl-Na types. The ionic fraction is primarily influenced by the dissolution of silicate and evaporite minerals, as well as alternating cation adsorption. (2) Geothermal water is primarily recharged by atmospheric precipitation originating from the Qinling Mountains. The recharge elevation ranges from 677.94 m to 1467.65 m. (3) The Dongda geothermal field has a thermal storage temperature ranging from 50.19℃ to 80.29℃, and a depth of thermal circulation ranging from 1126.32 m to 2129.62m. Meanwhile, the northern Xi'an depression has a thermal storage temperature ranging from 73.17℃ to 109.50℃, and a depth of thermal circulation ranging from 1892.41 m to 3103.22 m. (4) The δ18O of the geothermal water in the northern Xi'an depression is more significantly shifted to the right of the atmospheric precipitation line than that of the Dongda geothermal water, indicating a significant “oxygen drift”.(5) The Dongda geothermal reservoir in the southern Xi'an Depression mainly experiences heat transfer through convection, while the geothermal reservoir in the northern Xi'an depression experiences heat transfer through conduction.