Hydrogeology

Well types - Permafrost - Hydrolaccolith

Well types

Carbon dioxid waters

There are only few springs of this type to be found in the Baikal-Rift-Zone. Most of them are located at the boarders of the Baikal-Rift-Zone and are associated to vulkanites. The waters are enriched in carbon dioxide. Waters could have concentrations of CO₂ of about 2000 mg/L, the total mineralization can reach 8 g/L (TDS). For an exact distinction one has to mention two subtypes according to their area of origin: Sumak- and Borzom type.

Methane waters

Hot springs enriched in methane can be found in the central axis of the Baikal-Rift-Zone. Their extension is very limited. They occur in neotectonic basins which are filled with sediments and are rich in organic material. These basins are alkaline and highly enriched in gaseous components (80 to 90 %). For an exact distinction one has to distinguish between two subtypes according to the area of origin: Tunka- and Istok type.

Nitogen waters

Most of the waters in the Baikal-Rift-Zone (80 %) are nitrogen waters. These waters have a characteristic concentration of nitrogen greater than 78 %, in most cases it´s between 85 % to 95 %. That means, that about 20 to 35 mg/L of gaseous nitrogen is dissolved in the water. The degree of mineralisation is also very low, comparable with freshwater (< 1000 mg/L). For an exact distinction one has to mention four subtypes according to their area of origin: Goryaschinsk-, Alin-, Kuldur- and Pitatel type.

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