Evidence of a new geothermal prospect in the Northern-Central trans-Mexican volcanic belt: Rancho Nuevo, Guanajuato, Mexico
Por:
Landa-Arreguin, J. F. A., Villanueva-Estrada, R. E., Rodriguez-Diaz, A. A., Morales-Arredondo, I, J., Rocha-Miller, R., Alfonso, P.
Publicada:
1 dic 2021
Ahead of Print:
1 ago 2021
Resumen:
Thermal manifestations are commonly found in central Mexico as result of
the volcanic activity originating from the formation of the
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt during the Quaternary. The Rancho Nuevo hot
spring is one of them that has not been described before with a
discharge temperature near 92 degrees C. The goal of the present study
is to provide geothermal characteristics of thermal manifestations at
Rancho Nuevo location based on geochemical and mineralogical results to
explain deep-subsurface processes that occurred in the geothermal
system. The presence of kaolinite, montmorillonite, opal, zeolite,
barite, pyrite, and stibnite in altered soil sediments or around the hot
springs identified by the techniques used in the present study, confirms
the presence of hydrothermal activity. In addition, based on the X-ray
diffraction, calcite precipitates at the surface of the thermal springs.
This mineral association reflects deep geothermal processes and is
eventually deposited in shallow zones. Fluid mixing processes and
variations in redox conditions are suggested by mineral association and
isotopic sulfur data. Finally, based on the physicochemical data
provided by the water samples and the discharge conditions of the
springs, stability diagrams were constructed for pyrite, barite, and
zeolites using the Geochemist's Work Bench program to corroborate these
data with the mineralogical results. The mineralogical results and
distribution, as well as the N-S trend of mineral associations suggest
interaction processes between geothermal fluid and rocks of the
stratigraphic sequence, and active major faults, enabling the upward
flow of deep geothermal fluids. The approach to the conceptual model of
the Rancho Nuevo geothermal prospect reveals an attractive potential for
the exploration of a viable geothermal resource in central Mexico.
Filiaciones:
Landa-Arreguin, J. F. A.:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Posgrad Ciencias La Tierra, Ciudad De Mexico 04510, Mexico
Villanueva-Estrada, R. E.:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geofis, Unidad Michoacan, Antigua Carretera Patzcuaro 8701, Morelia 58341, Michoacan, Mexico
Rodriguez-Diaz, A. A.:
Morales-Arredondo, J
Rocha-Miller, R.:
I , Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geofis, Ciudad Univ, Ciudad De Mexico 04510, Mexico
Alfonso, P.:
Univ Politecn Cataluna, Dept Engn Minera & Recursos Nat, Av Bases Manresa 61-73, Manresa 08242, Spain
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