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Geochemical Characterization of Hot Spring Waters from Southern Thailand as the Base for Geothermal Energy Utilization |
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| รหัสดีโอไอ | |
| Creator | 1. Wipada Ngansom 2. Helmut D?rrast |
| Title | Geochemical Characterization of Hot Spring Waters from Southern Thailand as the Base for Geothermal Energy Utilization |
| Publisher | Thai Society of Higher Education Institutes on Environment |
| Publication Year | 2564 |
| Journal Title | EnvironmentAsia |
| Journal Vol. | 14 |
| Journal No. | 3 |
| Page no. | 37-49 |
| Keyword | Hot spring, Southern Thailand, Geochemistry, Geothermometer |
| URL Website | http://www.tshe.org/ea/index.html |
| Website title | EnvironmentAsia |
| ISSN | 1906-1714 |
| Abstract | Hot springs, which are the surface expressions of active geothermal systems at depth, are widely found in countries around Asia, especially in Southeast and East Asia, and can be tapped as a renewable energy source without carbon dioxide emissions. However, much information about such geothermal systems and their potential for heat and energy production is hidden in thegeochemical compositions of hot spring waters. Here, a geochemical survey was conducted on hot springs from nine geothermal provinces in southern Thailand. Thirty samples were analyzed to investigate geochemical relationships, understand geochemical characteristics, identify the origin and mixing of hot waters and calculate the reservoir temperature using different chemical geothermometers. The surface temperatures of the hot springs range from 40 to 80?C. Among cations of sodium, calcium, and potassium show higher concentrations than anions for bicarbonate, sulfate, and chlorine. Most of the hot spring waters show a K-Na-bicarbonate-rich water signature, reflecting homogeneity in the hydrochemical processes of the various hot spring systems. Calculated silica and cation geothermometer temperatures show no clear correlation, indicating possible mixing between the original hot waters and groundwater at near-surface depths, which is supported by the Na-K-Mg ternary diagram distribution. All hot springs in southern Thailand can be characterized as low-enthalpy systems, thus having the potential for electricity production through binary power plant systems. |
