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The major, minor, and trace element geochemistry of mineral scales from The Geysers geothermal field, California, USA

May 8, 2024

This data release provides quantitative whole rock geochemical results from The Geysers vapor-dominated geothermal field in California. The concentrations of major elements are reported in oxide weight percent by wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), the concentrations for sixty elements are reported in elemental weight percent (pct) or parts per million (ppm) from inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry-mass spectrometry ICP-OES-MS analysis, mercury is reported in ppm by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS), and ammonium in ppm from automated colorimetry analysis. The analyses show significant enrichment of volatile elements and elements such as sulfur, boron, arsenic, and mercury. Mineral scales from the Northwest Geysers are characterized by high concentrations of ammonium and mercury while the mineral scales from the Central and Southeast Geysers are enriched in boron, iron and sulfur. The mineral scales from orifice plates and condensers contain significant concentrations of Cr, Ni, Co, Zn, and W which are common contaminants from rusted steel equipment.

Publication Year 2024
Title The major, minor, and trace element geochemistry of mineral scales from The Geysers geothermal field, California, USA
DOI 10.5066/P92N32YE
Authors Mario A. Guzman, Jeffrey L Mauk
Product Type Data Release
Record Source USGS Asset Identifier Service (AIS)
USGS Organization Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Rights This work is marked with CC0 1.0 Universal
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