Fluid geochemistry of the Mondragone hydrothermal systems (southern Italy): water and gas compositions vs. geostructural setting

• Published in: International journal of earth sciences : Geologische Rundschau 2017-10, Vol.106 (7), p.2429-2444
• Main Authors: Cuoco, Emilio, Minissale, Angelo, Di Leo, Antonella “Magda”, Tamburrino, Stella, Iorio, Marina, Tedesco, Dario
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbonates; Chemical analysis; Chemical composition; Discharge; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Ecological succession; Emission measurements; Evaporites; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Fluids; Gases; Geochemistry; Geology; Geophysics/Geodesy; Geothermal springs; Groundwater; Hot springs; Hydrology; Hydrothermal systems; Isotope composition; Mantle; Mineral Resources; Miocene; Original Paper; Rain; Rainfall; Ratios; Salinity; Salinity effects; Seawater; Sedimentology; Spring; Structural Geology; Temperature; Thermal energy; Thermal pollution; Thermal springs; Thermal water; Water analysis; Water resources; Water springs; Wedges
• ISSN: 1437-3254; 1437-3262
• DOI: 10.1007/s00531-016-1439-4

The geochemistry of natural thermal fluids discharging in the Mondragone Plain has been investigated. Thermal spring emergences are located along the Tyrrhenian coast in two different areas: near Padule-S. Rocco (41°7.5′N 13°53.4′E) at the foot of Mt. Petrino, and near Levagnole (41°8.5′N 13°51.3′E) at the foot of Mt. Pizzuto. The water isotopic composition of both thermal discharges is lighter than the one of local shallow groundwater (δ 18 O ≅ −6.3‰ SMOW vs. ≅ −5.9‰; δD ≅ −40‰ SMOW vs. ≅ −36‰, respectively) as a consequence of inland higher altitude of recharge by rainfall, suggesting that thermal water undergoes a deep and long flow-path before emerging along the coast. The chemical composition of the highest temperature samples of two areas points that fluids in the hydrothermal reservoir(s) interact with similar lithologies, since they are both hosted in the lower sedimentary carbonate formations of the Campanian–Latial Apennine succession. However, the two spring systems are different in terms of temperature and salinity (Levagnole: ≅50 °C and 8.9 g/L vs. Padule: ≅32 °C and 7.4 g/L, respectively). The higher salinity of Levagnole springs is due to a longer interaction with evaporite material embedded in Miocene sedimentary formations and to the eventual mixing, during rising, with fresh seawater close to the seashore. The chemical and isotopic composition of the free gases associated with the springs, again suggests a different source of the two hydrothermal systems. Comparing the 3 He/ 4 He measured ratios with other gas emissions located NE and SE of Mt. Massico-Roccamonfina alignment, it is evident that the Levagnole thermal springs are related to the northern Latial mantle wedge where the 3 He/ 4 He is about 0.5  R /Ra, whereas the Padule-S. Rocco springs, although being only 3.5 km south of Levagnole, are related to the Campanian mantle wedge where R /Ra is always ≥2.0. Such a difference in 3 He/ 4 He ratio in a very short distance, clearly, suggests a different source of the Padule-S.Rocco gas phase rising to the surface through the deep transpressive regional fault(s) system related to the NE–SW Ortona–Roccamonfina tectonic alignment.