Geothermics, Vol.28, No.2, 241-252, 1999
Hydrogeochemistry of Damt thermal springs, Yemen Republic
The Damt thermal springs (40-45 degrees C), flowing through travertine deposits, belong to the Na-HCO3 type of water, and have higher pCO(2) (from -1.18 to -0.58 = PCO2 from 0.07 to 0.26 atm) relative to cold Ca-SO4-(Cl) groundwaters. The cold waters have pCO(2) ranging from -1.86 to -2.50 (=PCO2 from 0.014 to 0.0035 atm). The chemical composition of the cold springs is controlled by evaporite deposits present in the Tawilah sandstone and Amran limestone formations, while simple crustal dissolution, coupled with CO2-rich fluid-rock interaction control the chemical signature of the hot spring waters. The temperature of the feeding system, based on the K-2/Mg geothermometer, varies between 80 and 120 degrees C. Damt thermal springs appear to be related to a 10,000 year-old volcanic activity that led to the appearance of several craters in the area.
Keywords:EQUILIBRIA