Physico-chemical characteristics of Jharkhand and West Bengal thermal springs along SONATA mega lineament, India

Abstract

The chemical and isotopic compositions of thermal springs located along the Son-Narmada-Tapti (SONATA) mega lineament in central India have been investigated. The issuing temperatures of the thermal waters vary from 31 • to 89 • C for the thermal springs and 24 • to 25 • C for the cold springs. These thermal springs are located on the Archean Chotanagpur Gneissic Complex (CGC) in the eastern part of peninsular India. The thermal springs are mostly alkaline in nature with pH varying from 7.5 to 9.5. Piper diagram suggests that the chemistry of the thermal waters is compatible with the granitic host rocks through which the waters circulate. Mineral saturation index suggests that the thermal waters are saturated with cristobalite and quartz at lower temperatures (less than ∼130 to 150 • C), and calcite and forsterite at higher temperatures (∼160 • to 250 • C). The estimated reservoir temperature based on chemical geothermometers is in the range of 132 •-265 • C, which favours a medium enthalpy geothermal system. Oxygen isotope fractionation of Bakreswar and Tantloi thermal springs highlights a higher reservoir temperature than estimated by chemical geothermometer. Positive gravity anomalies over Bakreswar and Tantloi areas strongly suggest a basement/mantle upliftment or mafic intrusion which could account for the heat source close to the surface. However, the large negative gravity anomaly depression around the Surajkund and Katkamsandi thermal springs indicates presence of deep seated faults. Keywords. Hazaribagh thermal spring; Bakreswar and Tantloi thermal spring; geochemistry of thermal water.

Microbial diversity in relation to physico-chemical properties of hot water ponds located in the Yamunotri landscape of Garhwal Himalaya

“…(2013) . The same observation (pH 6.9–9.5) of acidic nature of hot water was reported by Singh et al. (2015) o n the thermal springs of Jharkhand and West Bengal.…”

“…Concentration of calcium ranged from 21.60 mg l −1 to 24.05 mg l −1 in the hot water of Surya Kund. Magnesium concentration was recorded between 26.34 mg l −1 to 27.34 mg l −1 Singh et al. (2015) recorded the concentration of Magnesium in the range of 12.60 mg l −1 to 15.62 mg l −1 in the thermal springs of Jharkhand and West Bengal.…”

“…The pH of Yamunotri Tapt Kund water ranged from 7.3 to 7.8, showing slightly alkaline nature of water. Singh et al. (2015) reported wide variation (6.9–9.5) in pH of hot water springs located in West Bengal and Jharkhand.…”

Magnetotelluric (MT) and Resistivity Survey along Belsara-Rasunpur Traverse Delineating Conductivity Structure over Bakreswar Geothermal Region in Birbhum District, West Bengal

“…Precambrian granites and gneisses, Gondwana sedimentary rocks and Rajmahal volcanics characterize this region. The Bakreswar and Tantloi thermal springs flow along the N-S trending fault that cuts the main mega SONATA lineament (Nagar et al, 1996 [18], Singh et al, 2014 [22]). The N-S fault is characterized by silicification and brecciation, that can be traced over 1.4 km.…”

Audio-magnetotelluric investigation of Bakreswar Geothermal Province, Eastern India

“…BGP lies over the Archaean gneisses and schists formations belonging to the Chotanagpur granite gneiss complex (CGGC). Bakreswar hot spring (BHS) (23 • 52 30 N; 87 • 22 30 E) is located over NNW-SSE trending fault (Singh et al 2015) and lies in the Precambrian of the western margin of Birbhum district, West Bengal, India. BHS is a cluster of seven thermal springs with differing water temperatures (45-71 • C) (Majumdar et al 2005).…”