Geothermal activities in Rwanda: Hydrogeochemical characterization of geothermal waters and geothermometry applications

Mulindankaka Evalde, Zhang Caixiang, Mathews Nyirenda Tananga, Xiaoping Liao, Ndihokubwayo Noel, Tumwitike Mapoma Harold Wilson and Zhenli Zhu

Received 07 September 2015, Accepted 02 November 2015, Available online 08 December 2015.

Abstract

Prospecting studies indicate that Rwanda has a potential capacity to generate geothermal energy in the volcano-tectonically active zones of the East African Rift System (EARS). Two typical regions, Gisenyi and Mashyuza, were re-evaluated for the geothermal potential in Rwanda, where the hot springs were of Na-HCO₃ type waters. Geothermometers were applied to estimate subsurface temperatures of Gisenyi and Mashyuza springs and their suitability were discussed using Na-K-Mg diagram. In contradiction to previous studies, the results showed that only K-Mg geothermometer provided reliable estimations for Gisenyi and Mashyuza prospects for which reservoir temperatures are too low for energy production.

Keywords

Geothermal water; Rwanda; Hydrogeochemistry; Geothermometers

@article{evalde2015, author = {Evalde Mulindankaka and Caixiang Zhang and Tananga Mathews Nyirenda and Liao Xiaoping and Noel Ndihokubwayo and Harold Wilson Tumwitike Mapoma and Zhu Zhenli}, title = {Geothermal activities in Rwanda: Hydrogeochemical characterization of geothermal waters and geothermometry applications}, journal = {East African Journal of Science and Technology}, year = {2015}, volume = {5}, number = {1}, pages = {1-19} }