Hydrogeochemistry and Hydrogeology
Deep reservoir analysis and characterisation of the earth`s surface (TRACE)
Geochemical and isotopical multi-method-concept to characterise deep aquifers in the upper Rhein Graben
Geothermal energy is an eco-friendly energy source and provides base load capable regenerative low-carbon energy. Certainly there are still huge research and development needs to use the vast potential of deep geothermal energy economically.
The project is supported by the BMU and limited for three years. Compared to the acquisition of seismic data TRACE is meant to develop a cheap method combination. This relies on natural and geochemical tracers and will be tested in the deep geothermal-projects Groß-Gerau, Heidelberg and Neuenburg/ Südbaden (upper Rhein Graben). The success is composed mainly of the expected temperature and the flow rate of the fluid. For an estimation several parameters, like the rock type, geometry, permeability (porosity, faults, cracks, karsts) of the deep aquifer and the composition of the fluids (concentration of gas and salinity) are essential. In the worst case the flow rate in an aquifer may be low or reduced by precipitation or corrosion in the geothermal water circuit which opposes a sustainable use. Therefore it is in the scope of TRACE to identify the distribution, difussion and the sources of the fluid as well as miscibility processes via naturally occurring tracers in the run-up of a geothermal exploration. TRACE is a collaborative project of the university research group Hydrogeochemistry und Hydrogeology under the direction of Prof. Dr. Margot Isenbeck-Schröter (Heidelberg, Institute of Earth Sciences), Groundwater and Paleoclimate under the direction of Prof. Dr. Aeschbach-Hertig (Heidelberg, Institute of Environmental physics), a research group within the scope of Isotope Geology (N.N.) and an engineering company called GeoT (Karlsruhe, GeoThermal Engineering).
The purpose of the research group of Prof. Dr. Isenbeck-Schröter is to conclude from the chemical composition of ground waters to the origin and flow paths through the reservoir. This will be done by extensive modelling of the hydraulic, the heat transfer and the reactive mass transport. Further on a geochemical model will be constructed, in which water-rock-interactions, miscibility processes of various waters as well as dissolution and precipitation processes will be simulated. Beside standard methods a main scope will be put on trace analysis like uranium, arsenic, lead, yttrium and the rare earth elements.
The research group of Prof. Dr. Aeschbach-Hertig is working on the analysis and interpretation of helium isotopes in ground and thermal waters. Increased 3He/4He rates show the presence of mantle fluids and therefore a deep circulation shall be identified and researched in detail. The helium analysis will be complemented with complete noble gas measurements (Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe) and the analysis of the stable isotopes of waters (2H and 18O). Additionally a set of dating methods (3H-3He, 222Rn, CFCs, SF6, 14C) for groundwater can be deployed.
A mobile analyser can measure the carbon isotopes of methane and carbon dioxide dissolved in water onsite. Combined with soil gas measurements and helium isotopes analysis it shall be used to map faults.
In addition the working group on isotope geology will analyse strontium-, neodymium- and lead isotopes in ground- and thermal waters as well as in bedrocks. Thus the potential of a combination of isotopic methods shall be estimated and used to identify lithological units of deep aquifers and the distribution, diffusion and sources of the fluid as well as mixing processes. To determine the contribution of saline rocks Sulphur isotopes will be analysed.
The engineering company GeoT acts as project coordinator and possesses a wide expertise regarding the geology of the upper Rhein Graben and hydrogeothermal exploration. The data set is completed with already acquired seismic and published resistance measurements. The aim of GeoT is to combine the results of the three university research groups. Consequently the exploration strategy will be refined and risks and costs shall be lowered.
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Kraml, M., Eichstädter, R., Aeschbach, W. Ascending deep fluids into shallow aquifer at hydraulically active segments of the Western Boundary Fault of the northern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany: Constraints from 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science (2017), pp. 81-84 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.proeps.2016.12.001
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Kraml, M., Aeschbach, W. 87Sr/86Sr ratios in shallow and deep aquifers from the southern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science (2017), pp. 626-629 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.proeps.2016.12.168
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Kraml, M., Aeschbach, W. 87Sr/86Sr ratios in thermal water from the southern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science (2017). pp. 364-367 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.proeps.2016.12.092
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Kraml, M., Eichstädter, R., Aeschbach, W. 87Sr/86Sr ratios in shallow and deep aquifers and thermal water from the Eastern Boundary Fault of the northern Upper Rhine Graben at the Heidelberg Basin, Germany. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science (2017), pp. 108-111 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.proeps.2016.12.017
Kraml, M., Jodocy, M., Freundt, F., Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Reinecker, J., Kreuter, H., Aeschbach, W., Isenbeck-Schröter, M. Ergebnisse des Forschungsprojekts TRACE zur Senkung des Fündigkeitsrisikos. Geothermie Kongress 2016, 29. Nov. - 01. Dez., Haus der Technik, Essen Vortrag zum Thema „Verminderung des Fündigkeitsrisikos“ am 30.11.2016, 15:00 Uhr, Hörsaal A1 http://www.geothermie.de/aktuelles/der-geothermiekongress-2016.html
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Kraml, M., Eichstädter, R., Aeschbach, W. Ascending deep fluids into shallow aquifer at hydraulically active segments of the Western Boundary Fault of the northern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany: Constraints from 87Sr/86Sr ratios. 15th Water-Rock Interaction International Symposium, WRI-15, 16 to 21 October 2016, Évora, Portugal. – oral presentation 20.10.2016, http://wri15portugal.org/
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Kraml, M., Aeschbach, W. 87Sr/86Sr ratios in shallow and deep aquifers from the southern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany. 15th Water-Rock Interaction International Symposium, WRI-15, 16 to 21 October 2016, Évora, Portugal. – E-Poster presentation 20.10.2016, http://wri15portugal.org/
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Kraml, M., Aeschbach, W. 87Sr/86Sr ratios in thermal water from the southern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany. 15th Water-Rock Interaction International Symposium, WRI-15, 16 to 21 October 2016, Évora, Portugal. – E-Poster presentation 20.10.2016, http://wri15portugal.org/
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Kraml, M., Eichstädter, R., Aeschbach, W. 87Sr/86Sr ratios in shallow and deep aquifers and thermal water from the Eastern Boundary Fault of the northern Upper Rhine Graben at the Heidelberg Basin, Germany. 15th Water-Rock Interaction International Symposium, WRI-15, 16 to 21 October 2016, Évora, Portugal. – E-Poster presentation 20.10.2016, http://wri15portugal.org/
Kraml, M., Jodocy, M., Reinecker, J., Leible, D., Freundt, F., Al Najem, S., Schmidt, G., Aeschbach, W., Isenbeck-Schröter, M. TRACE: Detection of Permeable Deep Reaching Fault Zone Sections in the Upper Rhine Graben, Germany, During Low Budget Isotope Geochemical Surface Exploration. European Geothermal Congress 2016, Paper Number: S-GC-98, Strasbourg, France https://www.geothermal-energy.org/pdf/IGAstandard/EGC/2016/EGC2016-S-GC-98.pdf
Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Aeschbach, W., Al Najem, S., Freundt, F., Schmidt, G. TRACE - Deep reservoir-analysis and characterisation from the earth's surface: Geochemical-isotopic multimethod-concept to characterise deep Aquifers in the upper Rhine graben
Technische Informationsbibliothek Hannover (2016) 95 pp. DOI: 10.2314/GBV:871282461
Freundt, F., Al Najem, S., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Schmidt, G., Kraml, M., Geothermal exploration using He isotopes in shallow aquifers of the Upper Rhine Graben. In 7th German-Brazilian Symposium, Heidelberg, Oktober 04 - 10. 2015. (Vortrag) http://www.geow.uni-heidelberg.de/md/chemgeo/geow/tagung/SBA-DBS/abstract-book_sba-dbs.pdf
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Kraml, M., 87Sr/86Sr systematics and Li of shallow groundwaters and springs at the western main fault of the northern Upper Rhine Graben. 25th Annual V. M. Goldschmidt Conference, Prag, August 16 - 21. 2015. http://goldschmidt.info/2015/uploads/abstracts/origPDFs/3367.pdf (Vortrag)
Freundt, F., Al Najem, S., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Schmidt, G., Kraml, M., Application of helium isotopes in shallow groundwater for geothermal exploration in the Upper Rhine Graben. 25th Annual V. M. Goldschmidt Conference, Prag, August 16 - 21. 2015. http://goldschmidt.info/2015/uploads/abstracts/origPDFs/2109.pdf (Poster)
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, H.-M. Seitz, N. Gaspers, M., Freundt, F., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Kraml, M., Hochfraktionierte Lithium-Isotopenverhältnisse (negative δ7Li-Werte) in Grundwässern und Mineralquellen der westlichen Grabenrandstörungszone des nördlichen Oberrheingrabens. Forschungsseminar Universität Heidelberg, 5. Mai 2015 (Vortrag). http://www.geow.uni-heidelberg.de/veranstaltungen/forschungsseminar.html
Freundt, F., Al Najem, S., Schmidt, G., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Kraml, M. The role of shallow ground water 3He/4He ratios in geothermal energy potential and fault zone characterization. Frühjahrstagung der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft e. V., Heidelberg 2015, 23.-27. März 2015. http://www.dpg-verhandlungen.de/year/2015/conference/heidelberg/part/up/session/10/contribution/1
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Kraml, M., Grobe, R., 87Sr/86Sr-Isotopenverhältnisse und Spurenelemente in Grundwässern des nördlichen Oberrheingraben. Institut für Umweltphysik, Universität Heidelberg. 27.10.2014 (Vortrag)
Kraml, M., Freundt, F., Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Grobe, R., Trace – Tiefenreservoir Analyse und Charakterisierung von der Erdoberfläche – Forschungsprojekt zur Detektion von permeablen tiefreichenden Störungszonen im Oberrheingraben. 9. Tiefengeothermie-Forum am 30. September 2014 an der Technischen Universität Darmstadt http://hessenenergie.de/Downloads/Dl-Nach/dln-tgf/tgf-14/tgf-14-pdfs/05_Kraml_140930.pdf
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Grobe, R., Kraml, M., 2014. Detection of ascending fluids in shallow groundwater at the western marginal fault of the northern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany: Constraints from 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios and trace elements. Schriftenreihe der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften, Heft 85, S. 559 – 560. GeoFrankfurt 2014, Goethe Universität Frankfurt a.M., 21.-24. September 2014 (Vortrag)
Freundt, F., Al Najem, S., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Schmidt, G., Grobe, R., Kraml, M., A multi-tracer approach for the exploration of deep geothermal energy potential and fault zone characterisation, applied in the Upper Rhine Graben. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16, EGU2014-13059, 2014, EGU General Assembly 2014 http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2014/EGU2014-13059.pdf
Schmidt, G., Al Najem, S., Isenbeck-Schröter, M., Freundt, F., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Kraml, M., Grobe, R., 87Sr/86Sr-Isotopenverhältnisse in Grundwässern des nördlichen Oberrheingraben, Workshop TRACE –TiefenReservoir-Analyse und Charakterisierung von der Erdoberfläche, FKZ: 0325390, Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Heidelberg, 23.05.2014 (Vortrag)
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