Thermal Waters of Albania

Abstract

Albania is a small country but its regional hydrogeological picture is very heterogeneous. The complex geological-structural and geomorphological conditions of Albania have resulted in the formation of diverse aquifers with regard to their hydraulic type, resources, hydrodynamics and hydrochemical characteristics. Among them there are some deep aquifers associated with different rocks like evaporate, carbonate and molasse, hosting thermal waters. Based on geological conditions, as well as hydrochemical and thermal characteristics, four hydrochemical water types and four related provinces of thermal waters are distinguished in Albania. H2S, SO4–Ca-type waters (temperature 43 °C) originate from evaporite rocks of the Korab Province. Samples of the Cl–Na–Ca or Cl–SO4–Na–Ca-type, of varying temperatures and H2S concentrations, originate from deep–lying limestone–dolomite anticline structures of the Kruja Province. Most samples from the Pre-Adriatic Depression Province related to deep-laying Neogene, mainly Tortonian, sandstone aquifers are of the Na–Cl water type with H2S and CH4 gases and usually with high Br and J concentrations. A few water samples from the Ionian Province are of the Cl–Na water-type and measure varying temperatures. For each province the geological–structural, thermal and hydrochemical characteristics are described in the paper. The richest province in terms of thermal water resources is the Kruja Province, where most of the warm and hot thermal H2S springs are located.