Geochemical tracers and indicators for the evaluation of geothermal resources
This is a bilateral project between the Italian National Research Council and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan, funded for 2 years (2016-2017).
Geochemical tracers (ions, molecules, or isotopes that are not affected by secondary chemical reactions once they enter a geological system such as a geothermal reservoir) and geoindicators (ions, molecules, or isotopes) that participate in secondary chemical reactions under controlled chemical-physical conditions are useful parameters that can be successfully applied to thermal waters and free gases during geothermal exploration to estimate: i) the geochemical characteristics of geothermal reservoirs and ii) equilibrium temperatures and redox conditions.
The main aim of this project is to build a conceptual model in the Ilan area (NE Taiwan), where this geochemical-isotopic approach has not yet been applied, although preliminary geophysical and geochemical investigations have indicated this area as a favorable site for geothermal exploration.
The concepts previously expressed will also be applied to some hydrothermal systems: a) the active volcanic system (characterized by medium-high temperature fumaroles) and b) the extinct Vicano-Cimini volcanic complex, since previous studies have classified this area as an unexploited geothermal field.
– Italian coordinator: Orlando Vaselli, IGG-CNR;
– Taiwanese coordinator: Sheng-Rong Song, Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University.
– Partners: CNR (Italy) and MoST (Taiwan).