Chemogenic sediments of Mutnovsky geothermal complex (South Kamchatka)

Abstract

By studying the processes taking place at the operating geothermal stations it is possible to model and understand some features of formation of minerals of geothermal origin, processes of transfer by hydrothermal solutions and concentration of some metals by analogy with the ore-forming processes at the formed deposits. During the release of steam-water mixture and outpouring of water from the wells silica gel is deposited, a number of elements (including noble metals) migrate and accumulate in the sediments. A great role during exploitation of wells, operation of turbines, separators and other structural elements of geothermal stations is played by the chemical composition of the coolant. Because of its high mineralization deposition on various units and parts of equipment occurs, what may complicate the operation of a geothermal plant. We describe the composition of chemogenic deposits on various technological elements of the Mutnovskaya geothermal power plant. Data on sediments sampled in boreholes, on turbine blades and separator are presented. We have revealed a wide variety of such deposits, both oxide compounds and ore phases (from magnetite, chalcopyrite, minerals of faint ore group to native gold, tellurides, selenides and sulfides of gold and silver). We suppose that the processes currently taking place at the Mutnovskoye steam hydrothermal field are similar to the hydrothermal processes that contributed to the formation of vein zones of the gold-silver-polymetallic deposit of the same name.

Keywords

• chemogenic sediments
• technogenic mineralization
• mutnovsky geothermal complex
• minerals