Hydrochemical Characterization of Groundwaters' Fluid Flow through the Upper Mesozoic Carbonate Geothermal Reservoirs in the Geneva Basin: An Evolution more than 15,000 Years Long

Groundwaters circulating in Upper Mesozoic carbonates are of great interest for geothermal heat production and storage applications in the Geneva area. This study aims at providing new insights and proposing new interpretations about the mineral-water reactions and the fluid-flow paths mechanisms across the Geneva Basin (GB). Data from previous studies are combined and improved by new ones collected from cold and hot springs and geothermal exploration wells in 2018 and 2020 in the framework of the GEothermies program and HEATSTORE project. Major ions, trace elements, and the isotopes of Oxygen, Hydrogen, Sulfur, Strontium, and Carbo have been analysed and the results show that the sampled waters have a meteoric origin, the carbonate aquifers act as preferential host rocks for geothermal waters, and partial contribution from the Cenozoic sediments can be observed in some samples. The Jura Mountains and the Saleve Ridge are the main catchment areas and an evolution from a pure Ca-HCO3 footprint for the cold springs, to a Na > Ca-HCO3 and a Na-Cl composutions, is observed at the two geothermal wells. The residence time is in the order of a few years for the cold springs and reaches up to 15-20,000 years for the deep wells.

Automated summary

The study provides new insights and interpretations about mineral-water reactions and fluid-flow mechanisms in the Geneva Basin. Data was collected from cold and hot springs, as well as geothermal exploration wells, showing that the sampled waters have a meteoric origin and that carbonate aquifers are preferred host rocks for geothermal waters. The Jura Mountains and Saleve Ridge act as main catchment areas, with cold springs exhibiting a Ca-HCO3 composition and geothermal wells showing Na > Ca-HCO3 and Na-Cl compositions, indicating different water sources and geological influences. Residence times range from a few years for cold springs to up to 15-20,000 years for deep wells.