Analysis and Characteristics of Thermal Springs in Kazakhstan

Hot springs are extensively distributed across the world, and the territory of Kazakhstan covered with folded and mountainous areas is no exception. They harbor plenty of microorganisms that can be the source of complex bioactive compounds. Although several microbiological studies on geothermal hot springs from different areas of the planet are available, there is limited information regarding the microbial diversity of similar ecosystems from Kazakhstan. This chapter provides information about thermal springs located in the territory of Kazakhstan as well as microbial diversity analyses of Zharkent hot spring. In Kazakhstan, thermal waters are widespread, which is due to the presence of large artesian basins with the immersion of water-bearing rocks to great depths, as well as the development of folded areas experiencing the impact of the latest tectogenesis. A survey of the available literature has revealed a considerable amount of information on the location of the springs, flow rates, temperature, chemical composition of the water and how the thermal spring has been used. All of these data have been tabulated by geographic areas of Kazakhstan and this tabular information for each geographic zone includes a summarized description of the geology and a map showing the situation of the thermal springs.