The origin of the Cerro Prieto geothermal brine

Geothermics
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Abstract

The Cerro Prieto geothermal brine may have originated from mixing of Colorado River water with seawater evaporated to about six times its normal salinity. This mixture circulated deeply and was heated by magmatic processes. During deep circulation, Li, K, Ca, B, SiO2 and rare alkalis were transferred from rock minerals to the water, and Mg, SO4, and a minor quantity of Na were transferred to the rock. Similar alteration of seawater salt chemistry has been observed in coastal geothermal systems and produced in laboratory experiments. After heating and alteration the brine was further diluted to its present range of composition. Oxygen isotopes in the fluid are in equilibrium with reservoir calcite and have been affected by exploitation-induced boiling and dilution.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title The origin of the Cerro Prieto geothermal brine
Series title Geothermics
DOI 10.1016/0375-6505(81)90006-7
Volume 10
Issue 3-4
Year Published 1981
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 14 p.
First page 225
Last page 238
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