Water Chemistry

The amount and composition of chemicals dissolved in the hot spring water provides a geochemist with ideas as to the composition of the rocks hosting the geothermal system, the thermal history of the water, and the time since it was last in contact with the atmosphere.  The relative amounts of sodium, potassium, calcium and silica tell us that the deep reservoir at Chena has a temperature near 250 ^oF.  As the hot and cold waters mix near the surface the chemistry also assists us in mapping out the boundaries of the shallow geothermal system.  The chemistry will also allow predictions as to whether or not mineral deposits will precipitate from the water and plug wells or pipelines.

Dr. Kenji Yoshikawa from the University of Alaska Water and Environmental Research Center is the PI for the water chemistry and hydrology portion of the GRED III project.