Geochemistry of geothermal fluids in Moil Valley geothermal field, NW Iran

<p>The Moil valley geothermal field is located in the northwest of Sabalan volcano in the northwest of Iran. The geothermal activities attributed to the Sabalan volcano was intensified during Plio-Quaternary time and the manifestations of these activities are observable around the volcano especially in the northwestern corner. The hot springs, surficial manifestations, and extracted fluids from drilled wells represent the whole composition of underground reservoir fluids. The thermal measurement of fluids show wide ranges of temperature of fluids where the hottest spring show 89˚C and the fluids obtained from well samplings show maximum temperature of 202˚C.  </p><p>The reservoir temperature estimations based on different geothermometers show 250˚C for the reservoir. The interpretation of carried out chemical analyses represent Na-K-Cl dominant composition for the studies samples taken from hot springs and drilled wells. All of sampling stations show pH ranges of 4.2-7.6 which reveal acidic to neutral pH range. The variation of TDS for the studied samples ranges between 209 to 320 mg/L. The evaluation of correlation coefficients between main parameters gives notable results. The positive and good correlation coefficient between temperature and Cl is obvious in most of samples and consequently the Cl content of samples increases in high temperature samples.        </p><p>Boron as a key constituent in geothermal fluids show variable concentrations in Moil Valley geothermal fluids and shows 0.28-35 mg/L Boron content in the studied samples. The correlation between Boron and pH for the studied samples is positive. This correlation displays the highest concentrations in pH=7. The main Boron species in this pH value is B(OH)<sub>3</sub> which is more stable comparing to the other Boron phases.  </p><p>The stable isotope analyses of the studied samples show -12 to -9.1‰ for δ<sup>18</sup>O and -71.3 to -77.6‰ for δD. The interpretation of obtained δ<sup>18</sup>O and δD values represents the main role of meteoric waters in reservoir fluids of Moil Valley geothermal field. Magmatic waters show negligible share of the reservoir fluids.      </p><p>The Tritium analyses for the studied samples show 0.1 to 41.7 TU amounts. The evaluation of obtained Tritium contents reveals the circulation of young waters inside the reservoir and considering to the δD/δ<sup>18</sup>O ratios, it is most likely that the recharge zones of the reservoir are situated in close distance and there are evidences of mixing with meteoric waters.</p>

Crystal size and shape distribution systematics of plagioclase and the determination of crystal residence times in the micromonzogabbros of Qisir Dagh, SE of Sabalan volcano (NW Iran)

The Qisir Dagh igneous complex occurs as a combination of volcanic and intrusive rocks to the south-east of the Sabalan volcano, north-western Iran. Micromonzogabbroic rocks in the region consist of plagioclase, alkaline feldspar and clinopyroxene as the major mineral phases and orthopyroxene, olivine, apatite and opaque minerals as the accessory minerals. Microgranular and microporphyritic textures are well developed in these rocks. Considering the importance of plagioclase in reconstructing magma cooling processes, the size and shape distribution and chemical composition of this mineral were investigated. Based on microscopic studies, it is shown that the 2-dimensional size average of plagioclase in the micromonzogabbros is 538 micrometers and its 3-dimensional shape varies between tabular to prolate. Crystal size distribution diagrams point to the presence of at least two populations of plagioclase, indicating the occurrence of magma mixing and/or fractional crystallization during magma cooling. The chemical composition of plagioclase shows a wide variation in abundances of Anorthite-Albite-Orthoclase (An=0.31–64.58, Ab=29.26–72.13, Or=0.9–66.97), suggesting a complex process during the crystal growth. This is also supported by the formation of antiperthite lamellae, which formed as the result of alkali feldspar exsolution in plagioclase. The calculated residence time of magma in Qisir Dagh, based on 3D crystal size distribution data, and using growth rate G=10−10mm/s, varies between 457 and 685 years, which indicates a shallow depth (near surface) magma crystallization and subvolcanic nature of the studied samples.