Geothermal springs in Algeria's Mila basin: geochemical and isotopic investigations
摘要
This study presents a comprehensive geochemical analysis of 13 hot and cold-water springs in the Mila region of northeastern Algeria. The physicochemical evaluation demonstrated that the temperature of the water samples ranged from 16.2 to 61°C. Moreover, the mineralization levels vary considerably, highlighting a broad spectrum of water quality. The samples were classified into three distinct hydrochemical types: mixed NaCl, and Ca-HCO3. The water samples were grouped into three clusters using Q-mode hierarchical cluster analysis, revealing underlying similarities and differences among the sources. The results of the saturation index indicate that the waters are supersaturated with respect to carbonate minerals-suggesting the potential for mineral deposition, while being undersaturated with respect to evaporitic minerals, implying a lower likelihood of salt crystallization. The temperature of the deep reservoirs is estimated to vary dramatically from 27 to 383°C, reflecting diverse geothermal conditions. In addition, the estimated depth of groundwater circulation ranges from approximately 0.2–3 km, highlighting significant variability in the hydrogeological dynamics of the region. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex geochemical properties and hydrodynamic behaviors of the water sources in the Mila region, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of its geological setting.