Geochemistry and Field Assessment to Construct Simple Conceptual Model

Field observation and fluid sampling at thermal manifestations at the Waitangi Geothermal Prospect has
been recently completed. The major element analysis (mg/kg) is as follows, and the photographs of the
manifestations attached.

Location ToC pH Na K Ca Mg Cl SO4 HCO3 SiO2

Papatu spring 97 2.5 30 2 15.7 3.59 7 865 _ 350

Ranginui pool 85 3.0 71 16.4 14.5 5.02 32 123 - 314
Te Puia spring 100 8.0 1275 223 13.91 0.07 2222 30 - 726
Ikatere spring 86 5 170 17 112 2.23 10 168 68 300
Wanawana spring 76 7.3 403 46 14 0.04 537 105 276 250

(Sampling date: 22 March 2019)

1. Assess the suitability of the fluids from each manifestation for interpreting the subsurface
conditions, and strengthen your analysis by evaluating the water compositions using Cl-HCO3-
SO4 Ternary diagram. Comment on the possible origin of the waters (deep, shallow, steam
heated?)
Table 1. Water manifestation type of Waitangi Prospect
Temp.
NO Manifestation o pH Water type Origin of water
C
1 Papatu spring 97 2.5
2 Ranginui pool 85 <3
3 Te Puia spring 100 8
4 Ikatere spring 86 5
5 Wanawana spring 76 7.6

2. Select fluids which are usable for geothermometry. Estimate the subsurface temperature using
and Quartz (maximum steam loss or conductive cooling), Na-K, and Na-K-Mg (Ternary plot).
Quartz geothermometry
T°C = [1309/(5,19−logSiO2)] – 273.15 (conductive cooling)
T°C = [1522/(5,75−logSiO2)] – 273.15 (maximum steam loss)
Na-K geothermometry (Fournier, 1979)
T°C = {1217/[(1,482−log (Na/K)]} – 273.15

Table 2. Geothermometry of fluid manifestations from Waingapu Prospect

Temperature (oC)
No Lokasi
Silica Na-K Na-K-Mg Range
1 Papatu spring
2 Ranginui pool
3 Te Puia spring
4 Ikatere spring
5 Wanawana spring
 3. Build a cross-section showing the hydrology, thermal and chemical structures of the Waitangi
geothermal prospect. Interpret the distribution of the thermal fluid at the subsurface, and indicate
the upflow and outflow using arrows.

Wanawana
Ranginui Papatu Te Puia Ikatere spring
pool spring spring spring

Discussion:
WATER TYPE TERNARY DIAGRAM

Na-K-Mg TERNARY DIAGRAM