Hydrogeochemical investigation of geothermal springs in Erzurum, East Anatolia (Turkey)

Geothermal water sources located within The Erzurum province were identified and hot water samples were taken from four different geothermal areas. The results of in situ and hydrogeochemical analyses of these hot water samples were interpreted and the properties of hot water, water–rock associations, estimated reservoir temperature and hot water usage areas were determined. The temperatures of the samples collected from the study area vary between 26.2 and 57.7 °C, while pH values change from 6.09 to 7.33, EC values obtained from in situ measurements are between 1829 and 9480 µS/cm and Eh values are (− 190) to (26.3) mV. Total dissolved solids of the hot waters have a range from 838.7 to 3914.1 mg/l. The maximum estimated reservoir temperature is calculated as 250 °C by applying chemical geothermometers. However, considering the actual temperatures of Pasinler, Köprüköy, Horasan and Ilıca thermal waters and wells, the most reliable temperature range depending on the applied geothermometers’ results indicate minimum and maximum reservoir temperatures 85–158.9 °C, respectively, taking in account the errors. According to the isotope analysis, the waters circulating within the geothermal system are of meteoric origin and modern waters. In addition, two samples taken from clayey levels observed in the field were analyzed and the mineralogy of the clays was evaluated.