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T. S. Presser

Publications and source records attributed to T. S. Presser.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Chemical and isotopic composition of water from thermal springs and mineral springs of Washington

Water from thermal springs of Washington range in chemical composition from dilute NaHC03, to moderately saline C02-charged NaHC03-Cl waters. St. Martin 's Hot Spring which discharges a slightly saline NaCl water, is the notable exception. Mineral springs generally discharge a moderately saline C02-charged NaHC03-Cl water. The dilute Na-HC03 waters are generally associated with granite. The warm to hot waters charged with C02 issue on or near the large stratovolcanoes and many of the mineral springs also occur near the large volcanoes. The dilute waters have oxygen isotopic compositions which indicate relatively little water-rock exchange. The C02-charged waters are usually more enriched in oxygen-18 due to more extensive water-rock reaction. Carbon-13 in the C02-charged thermal waters is more depleted (-10 to -12 permil) than in the cold C02-charged soda springs (-2 to -8 permil) which are also scattered throughout the Cascades. The hot and cold C02-charged waters are supersaturated with respect to CaC03, but only the hot springs are actively depositing CaC03. Baker, Gamma, Sulphur , and Ohanapecosh seem to be associated with thermal aquifers of more than 100C. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Hot springs of the central Sierra Nevada, California

Thermal springs of the central Sierra Nevada issue dilute to slightly saline sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium mixed-anion waters ranging in pH from 6.4 to 9.3. The solubility of chalcedony appears to control the silica concentration in most of the spring waters. Fales Hot Springs may be associated with a higher temperature aquifer, 150 degrees Celsius or more, in which quartz is controlling the silica concentration. Carbon dioxide is the predominant gas escaping from Fales Hot Springs, the unnamed hot spring on the south side of Mono Lake, and the two thermal springs near Bridgeport. Most of the other thermal springs issue small amounts of gas consisting principally of nitrogen. Methane is the major component of the gas escaping from the unnamed spring on Paoha Island in Mono Lake. The deuterium and oxygen isotopic composition of most of the thermal waters are those expected for local meteoric water which has undergone minor water-rock reaction. The only exceptions are the hot spring on Paoha Island in Mono Lake and perhaps the unnamed warm spring (south side of Mono Lake) which issues mixtures of thermal water and saline lake water. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Chemical, isotopic, and gas compositions of selected thermal springs in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah

Twenty-seven thermal springs in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah were sampled for detailed chemical and isotopic analysis. The springs issue sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium mixed-anion waters of near neutral (6.2) to alkaline (9.2) pH. High concentrations of fluoride, more than 8 milligrams per liter, occur in Arizona in waters from Gillard Hot Springs, Castle Hot Springs, and the unnamed spring of Eagle Creek, and in New Mexico from springs along the Gila River. Deuterium compositions of the thermal waters cover the same range as those expected for meteoric waters in the respective areas. The chemical compositions of the thermal waters indicate that Thermo Hot Springs in Utah and Gillard Hot Springs in Arizona represent hydrothermal systems which are at temperatures higher than 125 deg C. Estimates of subsurface temperature based on the quartz and Na-K-Ca geothermometer differ by up to 60 deg C for Monroe, Joseph, Red Hill, and Crater hot springs in Utah. Similar conflicting estimates of aquifer temperature occur for Verde Hot Springs, the springs near Clifton and Coolidge Dam, in Arizona; and the warm springs near San Ysidro, Radium Hot Springs, and San Francisco Hot Springs, in New Mexico. Such disparities could result from mixing, precipitation of calcium carbonate, or perhaps appreciable concentrations of magnesium. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Chemical characteristics of the major thermal springs of Montana

Twenty-one thermal springs in western Montana were sampled for chemical, isotope, and gas compositions. Most of the springs issue dilute to slightly saline sodium-bicarbonate waters of neutral to slightly alkaline pH. A few of the springs issue sodium-mixed anion waters of near neutral pH. Fluoride concentrations are high in most of the thermal waters, up to 18 milligramsper litre, while F/Cl ratios range from 3/1 in the dilute waters to 1/10 in the slightly saline waters. Most of the springs are theoretically in thermodynamic equilibrium with respect to calcite and fluorite. Nitrogen is the major gas escaping from most of the hot springs; however, Hunters Hot Springs issue principally methane. The deuterium content of the hot spring waters is typical of meteoric water in western Montana. Geothermal calculations based on silica concentrations and Na-K-Ca ratios indicate that most of the springs are associated with low temperature aquifers (less than 100?C). Chalcedony may be controlling the silica concentrations in these low temperature aquifers even in 'granitic' terranes.

Open-File Report↗

Chemical composition data and calculated aquifer temperature for selected wells and springs of Honey Lake Valley, California

Major element, minor element, and gas composition data are tabulated for 15 springs and wells in Honey Lake Valley, California. Wendel and Amedee hot springs issue Na-S04-C1 waters at boiling or near boiling temperatures; the remaining springs and wells issue Na-HC03 waters at temperatures ranging from 14 to 33 deg C. Gases escaping from the hot springs are principally nitrogen with minor amounts of methane. The geothermometers calculated from the chemical data are also tabulated for each spring. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Short chain aliphatic acid anions in oil field waters and their contribution to the measured alkalinity

High alkalinity values found in some formation waters from Kettleman North Dome oil field are due chiefly to acetate and propionate ions, with some contribution from higher molecular weight organic acid ions. Some of these waters contain no detectable bicarbonate alkalinity. For waters such as these, high supersaturation with respect to calcite will be incorrectly indicated by thermodynamic calculations based upon carbonate concentrations inferred from traditional alkalinity measurements

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗

Chemical analysis of the waters of the Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming from 1965 to 1973

Analyses of Yellowstone Park thermal waters have been reported by many investigators extending back almost one hundred years. The first detailed analyses were reported by Gooch and Whitfield (1888). Allen and Day (1935) were second. White, Brannock, and Murata (1956) and Morey, Fournier, Hemley, and Rowe (1961) reported field analyses of dissolved silica content of hot springs. White, Hem, and Waring (1963) reported six new chemical analyses. Noguchi and Nix (1963) reported partial analyses of five geysers. Rowe, Fournier, and Morey (1973) published the analyses of 166 samples from 89 different locations and the previous analyses of the same hot springs and geysers from 1888 to their study. The analyses compiled here are from 541 samples from 405 different locations of streams, rivers, cold springs, warm springs, hot springs, pools, and geysers. We are indebted to many colleagues at the Survey who have contributed to this report. These include Manuel Nathenson for his help in writing the computer program, E. E. Bell and H. S. Cortez for coding the analyses, R. O. Fournier, L. P. J. Muffler, A. H. Truesdell, and D. E. White for collecting and locating the water samples. We are also grateful to the U. S. National Park Service for their cooperation and assistance.

Wyoming↗

The chemical composition and estimated minimum thermal reservoir temperatures of the principal hot springs of northern and central Nevada

Fifty-five of the principal hot springs in northern and central Nevada have been sampled for chemical analyses. Major element constituents, sodium, potassium, calcium, and silica suggest minimum thermal-aquifer temperatures of 140°C or more at 16 of the hot spring complexes. At least five of the hot springs issue mixed waters which may indicate thermal-aquifer temperatures significantly lower than the true thermal-aquifer temperature. Sodium is the principal cation in almost all the spring waters. Four springs in northern Nye County and adjacent Eureka County have approximately equal amounts of sodium and calcium. Bicarbonate is the principal anion in most of the spring waters. However, the sampled hot springs on the western edge of the State have chloride as the principal anion. A diffuse zone of bicarbonate chloride waters with or without sulfate separates the chloride and bicarbonate regions.

Nevada↗

Special techniques for determining chemical properties of geothermal water

A reliable determination of the chemical composition of geothermal fluids may require special sampling and preservation techniques. A sample collected without pretreatment is usually adequate for the analysis of sodium, potassium, and chloride. Other constituents may require further treatment or even analysis in the field, depending on the data requirements. The collection and preservation methods described permit accurate results for 31 chemical variables, including major and minor chemical constituents.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗