The East African Rift System is the world's major continental rift. While much geophysical and petrological attention has been paid to it, at least in the eastern branch ("Eastern Rift"), comparatively little research has been carried out into the geochemistry of rift fluids, despite the potential benefits to theoretical and practical studies. Hydrothermal activity provides the opportunity to sample a very wide range of waters and gases in the Eastern Rift. This thesis combines data from the literature with the results of the author's major investigation into Eastern Rift fluids carried out chiefly in Kenya, though with subsidiary investigations in Ethiopia and Djibouti. A synthetic approach has been adopted, whereby relationships and interactions are cross-referenced as far as possible to illuminate problems, thus demonstrating the usefulness of considering a wide range of fluids in the rift context. After reviews of physiography, geology, geothermics and hydrology of the Eastern Rift, the following topics are considered in detail: (i) chemical and isotopic evidence for water origin, movement and evolution, (ii) chemical and isotopic evidence for gas origin, movement and evolution, and (iii) fluid geothermometry. Within this context some specific aims have been pursued. The strong possibility of longdistance axial flows of groundwater has been shown by use of stable isotopic techniques. Further insights into alkaline hydrological discharge areas have been obtained by a combination of chemical and isotopic approaches. While carbon isotope ratios indicate an apparently homogeneous source of carbon dioxide, the existence of distinct mantle sources for volcanic rocks beneath different parts of the Eastern Rift has been comprehensively demonstrated by use of helium isotope ratios. Following the rather unsatisfactory performance of various gas geothermometers for evaluating geothermal system temperatures, a new relationship based on hydrocarbon breakdown has been developed. The possible use of oxygen isotopes in hydrothermal sinters as indicators of palaeoconditions has been investigated. In conclusion, topics worthy of further research in the Eastern Rift are suggested where the study of fluids would be of benefit.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:321297 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Creators | Darling, William George |
| Publisher | Open University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://oro.open.ac.uk/57625/ |
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