TITLE:
Impact of Stratigraphically Unpositioned Saline Units on Electrical Resistivity in Geothermal Potential Investigations: Case Study Area Eldivan (Çankiri, Turkiye)
AUTHORS:
Halil Bölük
KEYWORDS:
Eldivan, Vertical Electrical Soundings, Geothermal, Resistivity
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.13 No.2,
February
17,
2025
ABSTRACT: Since 1968, geothermal energy utilization in Turkey has increased rapidly due to the country’s significant geological potential. This study aims to evaluate the geothermal potential of the Eldivan region, focusing on subsurface characteristics. Initial analyses indicated a high geothermal gradient at a depth of 900 meters. However, further investigations revealed the presence of previously unmapped and stratigraphically unpositioned saline units, which are identified as the primary cause of low resistivity anomalies observed in Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) data. Hydrogeochemical analysis of water samples collected from the Gözdöken Spring confirmed the presence of high sodium (1071 mg/L) and chloride (585 mg/L) concentrations, supporting the existence of these saline units. Using the Fournier & Rowe (1966) quartz geothermometer, a reservoir temperature of 61.88˚C was estimated, indicating a low- to medium-enthalpy geothermal system. These findings underscore the necessity for more detailed and integrated approaches to accurately assess the geothermal energy potential of the region.