L.M. Willey | USGS Science

USGS1975

Short chain aliphatic acid anions in oil field waters and their contribution to the measured alkalinity

High alkalinity values found in some formation waters from Kettleman North Dome oil field are due chiefly to acetate and propionate ions, with some contribution from higher molecular weight organic acid ions. Some of these waters contain no detectable bicarbonate alkalinity. For waters such as these, high supersaturation with respect to calcite will be incorrectly indicated by thermodynamic calculations based upon carbonate concentrations inferred from traditional alkalinity measurements

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗

USGS1974

The chemical composition and estimated minimum thermal reservoir temperatures of the principal hot springs of northern and central Nevada

Fifty-five of the principal hot springs in northern and central Nevada have been sampled for chemical analyses. Major element constituents, sodium, potassium, calcium, and silica suggest minimum thermal-aquifer temperatures of 140°C or more at 16 of the hot spring complexes. At least five of the hot springs issue mixed waters which may indicate thermal-aquifer temperatures significantly lower than the true thermal-aquifer temperature. Sodium is the principal cation in almost all the spring waters. Four springs in northern Nye County and adjacent Eureka County have approximately equal amounts of sodium and calcium. Bicarbonate is the principal anion in most of the spring waters. However, the sampled hot springs on the western edge of the State have chloride as the principal anion. A diffuse zone of bicarbonate chloride waters with or without sulfate separates the chloride and bicarbonate regions.

Nevada↗