Formation mechanism and evaluation of geothermal resources in Yanqi Qikexing town, Xinjiang

Abstract The study of geothermal genesis mechanism is the basis for the evaluation and effective development of geothermal field resources. On the basis of previous research results, the formation mechanism of geothermal field in Qikexing Township was analysed and the geothermal resources were evalu...

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Main Authors: Mengmeng Zhao, Kai Chen, Jinyu Chang, Genyi He, Feng Chen, Lifeng Chen, Zhiqi Liu, Yuhang Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91443-9
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author Mengmeng Zhao
Kai Chen
Jinyu Chang
Genyi He
Feng Chen
Lifeng Chen
Zhiqi Liu
Yuhang Huang
author_facet Mengmeng Zhao
Kai Chen
Jinyu Chang
Genyi He
Feng Chen
Lifeng Chen
Zhiqi Liu
Yuhang Huang
author_sort Mengmeng Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The study of geothermal genesis mechanism is the basis for the evaluation and effective development of geothermal field resources. On the basis of previous research results, the formation mechanism of geothermal field in Qikexing Township was analysed and the geothermal resources were evaluated by identifying geothermal anomalies in the area. In this paper, two geothermal anomalies were identified based on remote sensing inversion, soil chemical exploration, shallow temperature measurement and the main heat-control fractures, and the distribution characteristics and causes of hot springs were comprehensively studied by means of hydrogeochemistry and isotope analysis. The results show that the sources of geothermal water recharge are atmospheric precipitation and ice melt water in the vicinity. The cations of the geothermal water are mainly Na+, with an anionic ratio of 68.75%, followed by Ca2+ and K+; the anions are mainly SO4 2−, with an anionic ratio of 47.25%, followed by Cl− and HCO3 −; and the geothermal water is of the Cl·SO4-Na(Ca) type. The geothermal wells are mainly distributed along the active fracture spreading direction in the form of beads, and the maximum depth of thermal storage cycle is 2393 m. The temperature of thermal storage ranges from 49.4 to 93.7 ℃, and the heat source mainly comes from the heat transfer of mantle channel flow, the heat generated by the decay of radioactive elements, the heat generated by magmatic activities and so on. The results of the evaluation of geothermal resources in the study area show that the total geothermal resources are 1.38 × 1019 J/a, equivalent to 4.71 × 108 t/a of standard coal. This study mainly focuses on the distribution law of hydrothermal geothermal resources in Yanqi Qikexing town and the geothermal genesis, which can provide a reference basis for the development and utilisation of geothermal resources in Yanqi County in the later stage.
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spelling doaj-art-cd0c0ff48b734370b9e9be2a3db6b2852025-08-20T02:16:54ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115112010.1038/s41598-025-91443-9Formation mechanism and evaluation of geothermal resources in Yanqi Qikexing town, XinjiangMengmeng Zhao0Kai Chen1Jinyu Chang2Genyi He3Feng Chen4Lifeng Chen5Zhiqi Liu6Yuhang Huang7College of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang UniversityCollege of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Deep Geotechnics Deep Geotechnical Mechanics and Underground EngineeringThe Second Hydrology Engineering Geology Brigade of Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral Re-SourcesThe Second Hydrology Engineering Geology Brigade of Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral Re-SourcesCollege of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang UniversityCollege of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang UniversityCollege of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang UniversityAbstract The study of geothermal genesis mechanism is the basis for the evaluation and effective development of geothermal field resources. On the basis of previous research results, the formation mechanism of geothermal field in Qikexing Township was analysed and the geothermal resources were evaluated by identifying geothermal anomalies in the area. In this paper, two geothermal anomalies were identified based on remote sensing inversion, soil chemical exploration, shallow temperature measurement and the main heat-control fractures, and the distribution characteristics and causes of hot springs were comprehensively studied by means of hydrogeochemistry and isotope analysis. The results show that the sources of geothermal water recharge are atmospheric precipitation and ice melt water in the vicinity. The cations of the geothermal water are mainly Na+, with an anionic ratio of 68.75%, followed by Ca2+ and K+; the anions are mainly SO4 2−, with an anionic ratio of 47.25%, followed by Cl− and HCO3 −; and the geothermal water is of the Cl·SO4-Na(Ca) type. The geothermal wells are mainly distributed along the active fracture spreading direction in the form of beads, and the maximum depth of thermal storage cycle is 2393 m. The temperature of thermal storage ranges from 49.4 to 93.7 ℃, and the heat source mainly comes from the heat transfer of mantle channel flow, the heat generated by the decay of radioactive elements, the heat generated by magmatic activities and so on. The results of the evaluation of geothermal resources in the study area show that the total geothermal resources are 1.38 × 1019 J/a, equivalent to 4.71 × 108 t/a of standard coal. This study mainly focuses on the distribution law of hydrothermal geothermal resources in Yanqi Qikexing town and the geothermal genesis, which can provide a reference basis for the development and utilisation of geothermal resources in Yanqi County in the later stage.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91443-9Formation mechanismGeothermalResource assessmentXinjiang, Yanqi
spellingShingle Mengmeng Zhao
Kai Chen
Jinyu Chang
Genyi He
Feng Chen
Lifeng Chen
Zhiqi Liu
Yuhang Huang
Formation mechanism and evaluation of geothermal resources in Yanqi Qikexing town, Xinjiang
Scientific Reports
Formation mechanism
Geothermal
Resource assessment
Xinjiang, Yanqi
title Formation mechanism and evaluation of geothermal resources in Yanqi Qikexing town, Xinjiang
title_full Formation mechanism and evaluation of geothermal resources in Yanqi Qikexing town, Xinjiang
title_fullStr Formation mechanism and evaluation of geothermal resources in Yanqi Qikexing town, Xinjiang
title_full_unstemmed Formation mechanism and evaluation of geothermal resources in Yanqi Qikexing town, Xinjiang
title_short Formation mechanism and evaluation of geothermal resources in Yanqi Qikexing town, Xinjiang
title_sort formation mechanism and evaluation of geothermal resources in yanqi qikexing town xinjiang
topic Formation mechanism
Geothermal
Resource assessment
Xinjiang, Yanqi
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91443-9
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