Isotopic and hydrochemical properties of hot and mineralized waters in SW Konya geothermal field (Turkey)

The study area is located at southwest part of Konya (Central Anatolia). The basement formation of the area is Caltepe, deposited from Early Cambrian through Middle Cambrian. Seydisehir Formation which is composed of alternating slate, sandstone and metasandstone overlies conformably the overthrown Caltepe Formation and is Upper Cambrian-Lower Ordovician in age. Seydisehir Formation is conformably underlined by Neocene in age Tarasci Limestone. Alluvium is Quaternary-Present in age. The hot and mineralized waters located in the study area around Ilicatepe and Kavakkoy villages have a temperature range between 31 deg. C and 46 deg. C, flow rate between 1.42 and 5 L/s and a total dissolved mineral between 2218-3500 mg/L. Aquifer of these waters are the porous limestone and dolomitic limestone of the Qaltepe formation. The travertine cones occur as a result of water activity. The waters classified according to the AIH standards are Ca, Na, HCO3, and B bearing hot and mineralized water. The oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions of geothermal waters reveal meteoric origin. They have more negative δ18O and δ2H values, and lower 3H contents compared to cold waters. The geothermal water aquifers are recharged from higher altitudes and are hardly affected by recent precipitations. (author)