Hydrogeochemical characteristics and evaluation of the water resources in Tuzlukcu (Konya/Turkey) geothermal area

The Tuzlukcu geothermal area is 25 km northeast of Aksehir (Konya/Turkey). The aim of the present study is to determine the hydrogeochemical and isotopic characteristics (delta O-18, delta H-2, H-3, and C-13) and reservoir temperatures. The electrical conductivity values of thermal waters with temperatures ranging between 48 degrees and 56 degrees C are between 3200 and 8795 mu s/cm. The sampled waters are of the Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Na-HCO3 types. The chemical composition of the waters is mainly controlled by the dissolution/ weathering of carbonates and silicates and reverse ion-exchange reactions. The calculated quartz geothermometers were 70-90 degrees C for Tuzlukcu thermal waters. The thermal waters' isotopic data (delta O-18, delta H-2 and 3H) shows mixing, intermediate to the deep circulating meteoric origin, and 20-80 years of residence time. The C-13 ratio of the water varies between -10.92 and 5.24. There are multiple carbon sources in cold waters, whereas the primary carbon sources in thermal waters are the dissolution of marine carbonates and metamorphic CO2.