Hydrogeochemistry and genesis of metasilicate spring water in the Changbai Mountain volcanic area, NE China

The Changbai Mountain volcanic area, NE China is abundant in metasilicate spring water due to its unique geological conditions. This work studied the hydrochemical characteristics and genesis of the spring water based on analyses of water chemistry, water isotopes, SF 6 and lithology of the volcanic rocks. Results showed that the spring water is mainly recharged by local precipitation, with an elevation of 654–2600 m, then run along water conductive faults and discharges at low-lying areas as springs. The circulation depth of the groundwater is ca. 50–160 m, which is less than the thickness of the bulk basalt layer, indicating that the groundwater circulation is limited to the basalt layer. The SF 6 age of the spring water is around 8.5–16.0 a, indicating a rather fast flow rate. The hydrogeochemical facies of the spring waters are dominated by HCO 3 –Ca·Mg·Na and HCO 3 –Mg·Na·Ca. Based on cross-plots of main chemical components, Pearson Correlation and principle component analysis, the origin of the solutes in the groundwater and the main water–rock interactions were identified.