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Geosciences
Special Issues
Geochemistry in the Development of Geothermal Resources
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Geochemistry in the Development of Geothermal Resources

A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 3535

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Giovanni Vespasiano

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Guest Editor
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
Interests: origin and evolution of fluids in geothermal areas; water geochemistry; isotopic geochemistry; environmental geochemistry; geothermobarometry; water-rock interaction; coastal management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marco Taussi

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Guest Editor
Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Ca’ Le Suore 2/4, 61029 Urbino, Italy
Interests: geothermics; volcanic evolution; hydrothermal alteration; Igneous petrology
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Dr. Carmine Apollaro

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Guest Editor
Department of Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria (UNICAL), 87036 Rende, Italy
Interests: water chemistry; isotope geochemistry; geochemistry
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Dr. Ilaria Fuoco

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Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DIBEST), University of Calabria (UniCAL), 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
Interests: water quality; water-rock interaction; soil pollution; heavy metals; water remediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Geothermal energy usually refers to the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface, which can be harnessed for electricity generation or direct use in heating and cooling applications. The exploitation of such resources needs a deep understanding of the chemical characteristics of geothermal fluids (both waters and gases) and associated rocks that host the fluids’ circulation pathways.

In this view, geochemistry plays a crucial role in both the geothermal resource exploration and exploitation by providing valuable insights into the composition, and origin of fluids and rocks within the Earth's crust, and their variations following interaction processes.

This information helps in identifying potential geothermal reservoirs even when no obvious manifestations occur at the surface (i.e., hidden or blind systems), evaluating their productivity, and assessing the long-term sustainability of geothermal systems.

Geothermal fluids usually carry dissolved elements and gases derived from the surrounding rocks with which they interact. By analyzing the concentration and isotopic composition of these elements, geoscientists can determine the source of the fluid, its temperature at depth, and the mineral reactions it has undergone which are crucial parameters for estimating the exploitability and sustainability of a geothermal resource.

Geochemical techniques such as water sampling, chemical analysis, and stable isotope analysis are used to characterize the composition of such geothermal fluids. The presence of certain elements and isotopes, such as silica, sodium, potassium, and helium, can provide valuable clues about the geothermal system's maturity, heat source, and fluid-rock interactions.

Another important aspect of geochemistry in geothermal exploration is the study of rock geochemistry. Rocks associated with geothermal systems often undergo alteration due to the circulation of hot fluids. Geochemical analysis of altered rocks helps identify mineralogical changes, such as the formation of clay minerals and zeolites, which can indicate the presence of a geothermal reservoir. Understanding the extent and nature of rock alteration is crucial for predicting the permeability and fluid flow pathways within a geothermal system.

Furthermore, geochemical studies also aid in monitoring the environmental impact of geothermal operations. By analyzing the composition of geothermal fluids before and after energy extraction, potential contamination risks can be assessed, and appropriate mitigation measures can be implemented to minimize any adverse effects on water quality or ecosystems.

This special issue aims at collecting scientific contributions relating to the application of geochemical studies to geothermal systems. The papers can be related to both the fluid or rock/mineral matrixes and should focuse on the exploration, exploitation or monitoring phases of the development of a geothermal system. Multi/inter-disciplinary studies are also strongly encouraged. 

Dr. Giovanni Vespasiano
Dr. Marco Taussi
Dr. Carmine Apollaro
Dr. Ilaria Fuoco
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Geosciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • geothermal energy
  • geochemical analysis
  • fluid chemistry
  • isotopic composition
  • geothermal fluids
  • rock geochemistry
  • alteration minerals
  • geothermal reservoirs

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 4388 KiB  
Article
Closed-System Magma Degassing and Disproportionation of SO2 Revealed by Changes in the Concentration and δ34S Value of H2S(g) in the Solfatara Fluids (Campi Flegrei, Italy)
by Luigi Marini, Claudia Principe and Matteo Lelli
Geosciences 2025, 15(5), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15050162 - 1 May 2025
Viewed by 306
Abstract
The use of a conceptual model of reference and modelling of relevant processes is mandatory to correctly interpret chemical and isotopic data. Adopting these basic guidelines, we have interpretated the unprecedented increase in the H2S(g) concentration and the concurrent unexpected [...] Read more.
The use of a conceptual model of reference and modelling of relevant processes is mandatory to correctly interpret chemical and isotopic data. Adopting these basic guidelines, we have interpretated the unprecedented increase in the H2S(g) concentration and the concurrent unexpected decrease in the δ34S value of H2S(g) recorded since 2018 in the fumarolic effluents of the Bocca Grande fumarolic vent at Solfatara, Campi Flegrei caldera, in the framework of our conceptual model of the Solfatara magmatic–hydrothermal system. Assuming that the magma chamber situated at depths ≥ 8 km was filled at the end of the 1982–1984 bradyseismic crisis and no refilling episodes took place afterwards, as suggested by gas geochemistry, the concentration and the δ34S value of H2S(g) of the Bocca Grande fumarolic effluents are controlled by closed-system degassing of the melt at depths ≥ 8 km and disproportionation of SO2 in the deep hydrothermal reservoir (6.5–7.5 km depth) hosted in carbonate rocks where H2S equilibrates. These processes have been active during the last 40 years, but 41.1% (±6.4%) of the sulfur initially stored in the melt (2200 mg/kg) was lost in the 4-year period of April 2018–April 2022. This marked loss of S from the melt in 2018–2022 might be due to the high solubility of sulfur in the melt, which caused its preferential separation during the late degassing stages. These findings are of utmost importance for the surveillance of the Solfatara magmatic–hydrothermal system during the ongoing bradyseismic crisis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemistry in the Development of Geothermal Resources)
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14 pages, 835 KiB  
Article
Geochemical Feed Zone Analysis Based on the Mineral–Solution Equilibrium Hypothesis
by Luigi Marini, Stefano Orlando, Giovanni Vespasiano and Carmine Apollaro
Geosciences 2025, 15(2), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15020052 - 4 Feb 2025
Viewed by 623
Abstract
In this work we propose a method of geochemical feed zone (FZ) analysis based on the assumption of thermochemical equilibrium between geothermal fluids and hydrothermal minerals, for each FZ contributing to well discharge. Using our method, it is possible to calculate the mass [...] Read more.
In this work we propose a method of geochemical feed zone (FZ) analysis based on the assumption of thermochemical equilibrium between geothermal fluids and hydrothermal minerals, for each FZ contributing to well discharge. Using our method, it is possible to calculate the mass fraction and the chemistry of each FZ fluid, namely (1) the pH and the concentrations of SiO2, CO2, Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO3, SO4, F, and Cl of FZ liquids, and (2) the concentrations of SiO2 and CO2 of FZ vapors. The method can be applied to wells with two single-phase FZs and to wells with either three single-phase FZs or two FZs, one single-phase and the other two-phase, with different temperature and fluid chemistry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemistry in the Development of Geothermal Resources)
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24 pages, 7824 KiB  
Article
Biogenic Origin of Fe-Mn Crusts from Hydrothermal Fields of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Puy de Folles Volcano Region
by Elena S. Sergienko, Elena R. Tarakhovskaya, Oleg V. Rodinkov, Svetlana Yu. Yanson, Dmitrii V. Pankin, Valery S. Kozlov, Kamil G. Gareev, Alexander N. Bugrov and Petr V. Kharitonskii
Geosciences 2024, 14(9), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14090240 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1510
Abstract
Ferromanganese formations are widespread in the Earth’s aquatic environment. Of all the mechanisms of their formation, the biogenic one is the most debatable. Here, we studied the Fe-Mn crusts of hydrothermal fields near the underwater volcano Puy de Folles (rift valley of the [...] Read more.
Ferromanganese formations are widespread in the Earth’s aquatic environment. Of all the mechanisms of their formation, the biogenic one is the most debatable. Here, we studied the Fe-Mn crusts of hydrothermal fields near the underwater volcano Puy de Folles (rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge). The chemical and mineralogical composition (optical and electron microscopy with EDX, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence analysis, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC-MS)) and the magnetic properties (static and resonance methods, including at cryogenic temperatures) of the samples of Fe-Mn crusts were investigated. In the IR absorption spectra, based on hydrogen bond stretching vibrations, it was concluded that there were compounds with aliphatic (alkane) groups as well as compounds with double bonds (possibly with a benzene ring). The GC-MS analysis showed the presence of alkanes, alkenes, hopanes, and steranes. Magnetically, the material is highly coercive; the blocking temperatures are 3 and 13 K. The main carriers of magnetism are ultrafine particles and X-ray amorphous matter. The analysis of experimental data allows us to conclude that the studied ferromanganese crusts, namely in their ferruginous phase, were formed as a result of induced biomineralization with the participation of iron-oxidizing and iron-reducing bacteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemistry in the Development of Geothermal Resources)
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