Mercury and Soil Carbon Dioxide Analysis to Determine Geothermal Potential in Mt. Telomoyo, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Mercury and soil carbon dioxide are two of many elements that can be used to determine geothermal source potential. The simple concept is that these elements are commonly present in geothermal fluids and usually reside on rocks or soil along its migration path while going onto the surface through porosities. The research is located at Mt.Telomoyo, Central Java Province, located approximately 400 kilometers east-southeast of Jakarta. Around the mountain, four hot springs and four cold springs were found, as well as 144 soil samples. This study aims to determine the geothermal source by using soil geochemical analysis which uses mercury and carbon dioxide as analysed elements. Methods of mercury and carbon dioxide analysis were also aided by Fault-and-Fracture analysis in the study area. The anomaly map of both elements and the fracture density shows anomalies in the same location thas is at the north side of Mt. Telomoyo. This anomaly zone is indicated as a geothermal prospect area in the study area.