Published February 2012

Gaseous characteristics of thermal waters of Mesozoic deposits in Khudat – Khachmaz

S. Sh. Salahov

Natural outlets of gases in study region are linked to mud volcanoes and mineral springs. From this point of view, foothills zone of Guba is rich with mineral springs and natural gas outlets and therefore is of special interest. In heating systems of such residential areas it is considered efficient to use thermal waters as an alternative source of energy. Outlet locations of mud volcanoes were mainly recorded in foothills zones of Peri-Caspian Guba region. There are Gaynarja, Khidirzinde, Zarat, Shurabad etc. mud volcanoes here. The largest mud volcano Gaynarja is 120 km towards north-west from Baku city, 8-10 km south-west from Shabran railway station, in the right side of Takhtakorpu river. Gaynarja mud volcano extends from south-east towards north-west at the diameter of 100 m in flat and protuberant form. Mineral springs with output of 2120 m3/day, with temperature of 52 ОC at 1.5 km south-west from Khinalig give rise to a greater interest. These springs flow from snowy slopes of Shahdagh, Tfan and Khinalig at 2390 m height. Mineral springs are mainly of hydrocarbonate-sulphate-calcium-natrium-magnesium type, their mineralization degree is low (0.6g/l). Total amount of sulphur reaches 16 mg/l in chemical content.