A Comparison of Hydrothermal Characteristics of Newly Discovered Çamlidere Geothermal Field and the Kizilcahamam Geothermal Field, Central Anatolia, Turkey

The Galatian Volcanic Complex includes one of the most important geothermal fields in northern Central Anatolia. Among the known of these are Kizilcahamam, Seyhamam, Camlidere, Cubuk-Meliksah, Beypazari and Ayas geothermal fields. Among these fields, Camlidere field has become a research base for Geosciences due to its geological and geomorphologic features. As a result of the drilling conducted by General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration of Turkey (MTA) and IL Bank (ILB) recently, Camlidere field has been found that there is also thermal water potential in the area. Kizilcahamam geothermal field is located 27 km east to Camlidere of Ankara province. Using geothermal energy for district heating and for the purpose of bathing and balneology (thermal hotel) is major benefit for the region. This field is characterized by thermal and mineralized springs, travertine deposits, with wide alteration zones. The temperatures of the thermal springs and wells in the Kizilcahamam area is 1843°C and 67-86°C, respectively. The Camlidere field is characterized by thermal and mineralized springs, with temperatures in the range 20–28°C and thermal water with temperature of 34-43°C has been produced. The Camlidere and Kizilcahamam geothermal systems occur in a volcanic terrain, and issue through the faults and fracture zones of the volcanics. Camlidere and Kizilcahamam geothermal systems is currently being investigated in relation with recharge area and interconnected fault/fracture networks providing conduits for groundwater flow. The thermal waters in Camlidere and Kizilcahamam are Na-HCO3 type. Based analysis results of isotops ( 18 O, 2 H, 3 H), it can be said that water samples from Camlidere and Kizilcahamam are of meteoric origin, all thermal waters have low tritium content suggesting a source from high elevations and long residence time. The rainwater infiltrated downward through fractures and fault systems is heated by an intrusive-cupola and then rises to the surface along faults and effective fractures that act as hydrothermal conduits. The obtained results from hydrogeochemistry, during their rise to the surface, Camlidere and Kizilcahamam thermal waters are inferred to lose some heat due to possible mixing with cold waters along the fracture zones. The potential of the Camlidere waters must be increased and new drilling’s must be performed to increase flow rates and the temperatures of the waters. Thermal waters of this field are estimated to be a potential for district heating. Our work in the area continues to create a hydrothermal model of the both Camlidere and Kizilcahamam geothermal fields.