Analysis of natural sparkling mineral water has given scientists valuable clues on how to locate hot water springs.
Analysis of natural sparkling mineral water has given scientists valuable clues on how to locate hot water springs.
These are potential sources of sustainable, clean energy.
Studies at naturally carbonated springs have shown how oxygen in the water comes to have a distinctive chemical fingerprint.
Research showed that this fingerprint is influenced by the presence of carbon dioxide gas – and not by heat from below the Earth’s surface, as was previously thought.
The finding may help scientists narrow their search for sites where geothermal energy – heat generated and stored in the Earth – could be sustainably recovered.
Scientists from the University of Edinburgh analysed water from naturally carbonated springs in Daylesford, Australia, and Pah Tempe in Utah, US.
Read more at The University of Edinburgh
