Water, Life and Geology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
ines freyssinel
Keyword(s):  
Hot Springs ◽  
Marine Organism ◽  
Field Trips ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Unequal Distribution ◽  
Geothermal Activity ◽  
Water Springs

<p>In Geology, water plays a major role in the transformation of landscapes. Hot water springs can be exploited as geothermic resources. The first forms of life on Earth, cyanobacteria, lived in water. I studied these three examples with my students, implementing various educational strategies: field trips, academic conferences, and hands-on activities.</p><p>Example 1-Fields trips<br>In Marseille, I organised a geological outing in the Calanques, the protected rocky coves, which explains the geological history of the region as well and erosion and sedimentation phenomena. The Calanques are made of limestone rocks that were formed by the accumulation of marine organism skeletons at the bottom of a warm sea during the Secondary Era. During the Cretaceous period, the calcareous rocks were pushed to the surface through the tectonic trust and overlapping of the African and European plates. The topography formed (The Provencal and Pyrenean chain and its foothills) undergoes weathering, fractures and distorts under the action of water. The hot rainy periods allow chemical dissolution and facilitates the formation of karstic networks. The periods of glaciation during the quaternary provoke declining water levels and sculpted furthermore the ground thanks to glacial action. <br><br>In Eastern Africa, in Djibouti, exceptional field trips were possible with the students  to the sites of the Assal-Goubbhet lake. It is a place like no other, a large depression 150 meters under the sea level.We studied the specific hydrological exchanges which explain the water hypersalinization. We measured the elevated thermal flows of the hot-water springs and linked our findings to tectonic activity. <br><br>Example 2 - Lab activity with stromatolites.</p><p>Water and the first Life forms.The 3.5 billion year stromatolites are bio-constructed and sedimentary rocks. They bear witness to the presence of life forms in the oceans, cyanobacteria. An exploration of the terrain and a practical session enabled the students to discover the action of these living organisms on the primal atmosphere and grasp the concept of Actualism in Geology. <br><br>Example 3 - Conference, field trip, and practical activities on geothermal activity.</p><p>Djibouti aims to become self-sufficient in energy by 2035 thanks to the production of 100% renewable electricity. The country relies on geothermal energy to reach that goal. We therefore studied this theme with the students of the French Highschool. Outings permitted to photograph the hot springs. Rain water infiltrates the ground and heats when in contact with the magma chambers less than 4 km under our feet. Through rock crack cause by earthquakes, the water comes to the surface in the form of steam and concentrates in the hot springs.</p><p>These examples remind our students of the essential role of water on our planet and its unequal distribution as a source of life, as a factor in the transformation of the landscapes or as a vital energy source. <br><br></p>

Geological, geochemical and geophysical studies on the non-volcanic hot springs, Atri and Tarbalo in the Indian shield: potential unconventional renewable energy sources

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asmita Maitra ◽  
Saibal Gupta ◽  
Anand Singh ◽  
Tirumalesh Kessari
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Shear Zone ◽  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Indian Shield ◽  
Thermal Groundwater ◽  
The World

<p>In the fast-growing economies around the world, the demand for energy as well as environmental concerns make geothermal energy a potential renewable energy source. Most geothermal provinces across the world have the capacity to generate enormous amounts of hydrothermal energy, and hot springs in these areas are generally associated with active volcanic or tectonic activity. With modern technical advancement, low enthalpy geothermal systems (< 100°C) are also being considered for geothermal energy production. In non-volcanic hot springs, the water temperature remains low compared to volcanic hot springs. We study two such hot springs located within Neoproterozoic granulites of the tectonically stable Eastern Ghats Belt (EGB) of the Indian shield. The source of heat for these amagmatic hot springs may either be deep-seated fracture zones, or alternative heat sources at shallow crustal levels. A combination of geological, geochemical, hydrological and geophysical techniques has been applied to characterize non-volcanic hot springs in India. The hot springs at Atri and Tarbalo are located to the south of the Mahanadi Shear Zone within the EGB. Penetrative granulite facies planar structural fabrics in rocks of the northern EGB are reoriented within an E-W striking, northerly dipping ductile shear zone that is subsequently dissected by WNW-ESE trending, sub-vertical pseudotachylite-bearing faults and fractures. Tube and dug wells around the shear zone yield both hot (~ 60°C) and cold (~ 28°C) water, sometimes spatially only 20 metres apart. Chemical analyses indicate both have distinct compositions, with hot waters rich in Na<sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup> and Cl<sup>-</sup> while cold-waters have higher Ca<sup>2+</sup> and HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> concentration. Stable isotope analyses (δ<sup>2</sup>H and δ<sup>18</sup>O) of both waters indicate that both are meteoric in origin. Tritium (<sup>3</sup>H) and <sup>14</sup>C analyses indicate that hot spring waters are much older than the non-thermal groundwater. The hot water is 17714 years old, while the non-thermal groundwater indicates modern day recharge. This suggests that both waters come from different reservoirs. VLF-electromagnetic studies indicate that water exists in isolated pockets beneath the crystalline country rocks, but also circulated through WNW-ESE trending fracture systems. Heat production studies reveal that the EGB is a high radiation zone, and some host rocks have exceptionally high heat producing element (HPE) concentrations (primarily thorium) within the minerals monazite and thorite. Hence, meteoric water is entrapped in those “perched aquifers” near HPE-rich pockets for a long duration and has sufficient time to undergo radiogenic heating, shielded from the non-thermal groundwater circulating within the fracture system. These isolated pockets act as sources for the hot springs,with HPE being the source of heat. The high HPE distribution in the crust resulting from Neoproterozoic geological events has, thus, elevated the present-day equilibrium geotherm in the EGB, forming sources for shallow-level, non-volcanic hot springs within a tectonically inactive terrane. Therefore, the hot springs in these regions, as well as the hot dry rocks of these areas can be considered as potential geothermal resources.</p>

scholarly journals Origin of the low-medium temperature hot springs around Nanjing, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 820-834
Author(s):  
Jun Ma ◽  
Zhifang Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Geothermal Water ◽  
Geological Condition ◽  
Medium Temperature ◽  
Rock Interaction ◽  
Karst Landform ◽  
Karst Landforms ◽  
Development And Management

Abstract The exploration of the origin of hot spring is the basis of its development and utilization. There are many low-medium temperature hot springs in Nanjing and its surrounding karst landform areas, such as the Tangshan, Tangquan, Lunshan, and Xiangquan hot springs. This article discusses the origin characters of the Lunshan hot spring with geological condition analysis, hydrogeochemical data, and isotope data. The results show that the hot water is SO4–Ca type in Lunshan area, and the cation content of SO4 is high, which are related to the deep hydrogeological conditions of the circulation in the limestone. Carbonate and anhydrite dissolutions occur in the groundwater circulation process, and they also dominate the water–rock interaction processes in the geothermal reservoir of Lunshan. The hot water rising channels are deeply affected by the NW and SN faults. Schematic diagrams of the conceptual model of the geothermal water circulation in Lunshan are plotted. The origin of Tangshan, Tangquan, and Xiangquan hot springs are similar to the Lunshan hot spring. In general, the geothermal water in karst landforms around Nanjing mainly runs through the carbonate rock area and is exposed near the core of the anticlinal structure of karst strata, forming SO4–Ca/SO4–Ca–Mg type hot spring with the water temperature less than 60°C. The characters of the hot springs around Nanjing are similar, which are helpful for the further research, development, and management of the geothermal water resources in this region.

Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Thermophilic Bacterial Enumeration from Hot Water Springs of Himachal Pradesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 285-287
Author(s):  
Poonam Shirkot ◽  
Ambika Verma ◽  
Monika Gupta ◽  
Anshul Sharma Manjul ◽  
Ruchika Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Himachal Pradesh ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Bacterial Enumeration ◽  
Water Springs

scholarly journals Geosites of interest as a geopheritage of Jalisco, Mexico. Progress

2020 ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Roberto Maciel-Flores ◽  
José Rosas-Elguera ◽  
Laura Peña-García ◽  
Celia Robles-Murguía
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Belt ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Central Plateau ◽  
Productive Activities ◽  
Geothermal Activity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sierra Madre ◽  
Abiotic Resources ◽  
Geological Information ◽  
Sierra Madre Del Sur

Conserving the geological heritage in Jalisco implies, identifying, classifying and substantiating the importance of geosites in Jalisco and its subsequent dissemination through geotourism. The above can contribute to the creation of geo-park (s), according to the definition and methodology of UNESCO, with the consequent economic benefit to the inhabitants of these regions. The disclosure of geological information encourages an appreciation and care of abiotic resources (rocks, minerals, fossils, morphology, soil and water), especially prior to productive activities, minimizing their damage or avoiding building in areas with geological hazards. Jalisco has a great geodiversity, compared to other states, its history begins approximately 200 million years ago, recorded in the Sierra Madre del Sur and in the Jalisco Block, the most recent volcanic and tectonic activity is recorded in the Volcanic Belt Mexican. The previous provinces, together with the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Central Plateau, contain a wide range of rocks, fossil areas of economic and cultural importance (most of 70 places) and relate the geological history and its dynamics. Geothermal activity, is present in 400 locations.

scholarly journals Spatial Metagenomics of Three Geothermal Sites in Pisciarelli Hot Spring Focusing on the Biochemical Resources of the Microbial Consortia

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (17) ◽  
pp. 4023
Author(s):  
Roberta Iacono ◽  
Beatrice Cobucci-Ponzano ◽  
Federica De Lise ◽  
Nicola Curci ◽  
Luisa Maurelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Microbial Consortia ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
Geothermal Activity ◽  
Terrestrial Hot Springs ◽  
Metagenomic Study ◽  
Mechanisms Of Adaptation

Terrestrial hot springs are of great interest to the general public and to scientists alike due to their unique and extreme conditions. These have been sought out by geochemists, astrobiologists, and microbiologists around the globe who are interested in their chemical properties, which provide a strong selective pressure on local microorganisms. Drivers of microbial community composition in these springs include temperature, pH, in-situ chemistry, and biogeography. Microbes in these communities have evolved strategies to thrive in these conditions by converting hot spring chemicals and organic matter into cellular energy. Following our previous metagenomic analysis of Pisciarelli hot springs (Naples, Italy), we report here the comparative metagenomic study of three novel sites, formed in Pisciarelli as result of recent geothermal activity. This study adds comprehensive information about phylogenetic diversity within Pisciarelli hot springs by peeking into possible mechanisms of adaptation to biogeochemical cycles, and high applicative potential of the entire set of genes involved in the carbohydrate metabolism in this environment (CAZome). This site is an excellent model for the study of biodiversity on Earth and biosignature identification, and for the study of the origin and limits of life.

scholarly journals Direct Measurement of Basal Water Pressures: Progress and Problemss

1979 ◽  
Vol 23 (89) ◽  
pp. 309-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Hodge
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Water System ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Well Control ◽  
System A ◽  
Pressure Water ◽  
Internal Change

AbstractIn 1975 and 1977, 24 bore holes were drilled to the bed of South Cascade Glacier, Washington, U.S.A., using both electrothermal and hot-water drills. Only two holes connected directly with the basal water system, a significant decrease from the four to five such connections in 13 holes drilled in 1973 and 1974 (Hodge, 1976). Most of the bed, possibly as much as 90%, appears to be hydraulically inactive and isolated from a few active subglacial conduits. Bore holes which penetrate these inactive areas initially should connect eventually with the active basal water system due to bed pressurization by the water standing in the bore hole, provided there is a sufficient supply of water available to form and maintain the connection passageway. These sealed-off areas probably consist of the sub-sole drift and permeability barriers found recently at the bed of Blue Glacier by Engelhardt and others (1978); an increase in the area of bed covered by these features probably caused the decrease in chance of bore-hole connection. This apparently was not due to any external cause but rather was the result of a real internal change in the subglacial hydraulic system which occurred between 1974 and 1975.If most of the area of a glacier bed is hydraulically isolated sub-sole drift, or something similar, such features may well control large-scale glacier sliding changes, since changes in the amount of water having access to the glacier bed will take considerable time to affect the interstitial water pressure in the more widespread sub-sole drift.Water pressures in the active part of the basal water system of South Cascade Glacier are generally in the range of 50–75% of the ice overburden pressure. Water levels in a connected bore hole are probably representative over an area of the bed 100 m or more in extent. A correlation of bore-hole water levels with changes in surface motion supports the idea that the sliding of a temperate glacier is controlled largely by the basal water pressure.

Point process modelling of reservoir-induced seismicity

2001 ◽  
Vol 38 (A) ◽  
pp. 232-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masajiro Imoto
Keyword(s):  
Point Process ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Earthquake Hazard ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
Aftershock Sequence ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Reservoir Induced Seismicity ◽  
Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence ◽  
Background Seismicity

A point process procedure can be used to study reservoir-induced seismicity (RIS), in which the intensity function representing earthquake hazard is a combination of three terms: a constant background term, an ETAS (epidemic-type aftershock sequence) term for aftershocks, and a time function derived from observation of water levels of a reservoir. This paper presents the results of such a study of the seismicity in the vicinity of the Tarbela reservoir in Pakistan. Making allowance for changes in detection capability and the background seismicity related to tectonic activity, earthquakes of magnitude ≥ 2.0, occurring between May 1978 and January 1982 and whose epicentres were within 100 km of the reservoir, were used in this analysis. Several different intensities were compared via their Akaike information criterion (AIC) values relative to those of a Poisson process. The results demonstrate that the seismicity within 20 km of the reservoir correlates with water levels of the reservoir, namely, active periods occur about 250 days after the appearance of low water levels. This suggests that unloading the reservoir activates the seismicity beneath it. Seasonal variations of the seismicity in an area up to 100 km from the reservoir were also found, but these could not be adequately interpreted by an appropriate RIS mechanism.

SEISMIC NOISE MEASUREMENTS IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Geophysics ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. Iyer ◽  
Tim Hitchcock
Keyword(s):  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
Seismic Noise ◽  
National Park ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Spectral Band ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
High Noise ◽  
Geothermal Activity

In September and October, 1972 the U. S. Geological Survey made an investigation of seismic noise associated with the known geothermal phenomena in Yellowstone National Park. Eighty‐four stations, each recording for at least 48 hours, were operated. All major geyser basins were covered by the experiment. L-shaped three‐element arrays, three‐component stations, and single vertical component stations were operated. Four eight‐element mobile arrays were operated to study propagation characteristics of the noise. Preliminary analysis of data shows that high noise levels are associated with all the major thermal areas in the park. An elongated band of high noise envelops Lower and Upper Geyser Basins; noise levels are high around Norris Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain, and Mud Volcano; and a strong noise field exists around Lower and Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River. The seismic waves generated by the waterfalls have very different spectral characteristics from the waves associated with geothermal activity. The geothermal noise is predominantly in the spectral band of 2–8 hz, whereas the waterfall noise is predominantly around 2 hz. A mobile array operated near Norris Basin showed coherent wave trains radiating from seismic sources in the basin. Seismic noise measured around 50 m from Old Faithful Geyser showed amplitude fluctuations that followed the eruption cycles of the geyser. A few minutes after each eruption, the noise level starts rising slowly in ramplike fashion. Twenty to thirty minutes before the next eruption, sharp bursts of noise activity occur with increasing rapidity and continue for a few minutes after the eruption. The predominant energy of seismic noise generated by Old Faithful is at frequencies well above 8 hz. We postulate that only such high frequency noise is generated by the surface activity of geysers and hot springs and that the lower frequency noise found in and around the geyser basins is generated by a deeper convection system associated with the geothermal activity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document