Genetic mechanism of high geotemperature in tunnels in consideration of temperature monitoring and hydrogeochemical analysis

During the tunnel construction, high geotemperature is a recurrent phenomenon in geothermal anomalous zones, significantly affecting both human resources and equipment involved in the process. The current study takes the Nige tunnel, the tunnel with the highest known geotemperature in China, as a case study to analyze the underlying dynamics of this phenomenon. The geotemperature within the tunnel is monitored during excavation before delving into a detailed analysis of the basic characteristics of the high geotemperatures measured. Subsequently, an investigation is conducted into the hot springs in close proximity to the Nige tunnel, which serves to reveal potential heat sources contributing to the high geotemperature. To further reveal the hydrochemical and geothermal reservoir characteristics of the area surrounding the tunnel and hot spring, a water quality test is performed. Lastly, the study situates its findings regarding the geological genesis of high geotemperature within the context of investigating heat conduction channels. Results demonstrate the coexistence of high water temperature (Water T) and rock temperature (Rock T) in the Nige tunnel, with maximum temperatures recorded as 63.4 °C and 88.8 °C, respectively. This study concludes that the source of deep circulating hot water likely stems from infiltration and combination of atmospheric precipitation and shallow water from the continental environment. Additionally, the geotemperature within tunnels primarily stems from thermal anomalous bodies in the deep crust. The performances may be used as guidance to address similar issues that arise in regions with high geotemperature.