title: Examination of element concentrations in groundwater by ICP-MS for monitoring of pre-earthquake activities.
abstract: This study presents the results of hydrogeochemical studies carried out in Zeytun thermal springs in Kahramanmaras, located South Middle Anatolia-Turkey. More than 90 thermal water samples were collected on a regular basis from 2006 to 2008 to measure element concentrations as a monitor of earthquake precursors. Water samples were analyzed using ICP-MS. The observed B, Ba, Br and Ge concentrations for 16 months are in ranges of 79-422, 103-167, 28-93 and 0.3-1.2 microg x L(-1), respectively. Chloride concentrations for these periods are in range of 7-21 mg x L(-1). The data identify some element anomalies before earthquakes. These anomalies are characterized by decreases up to 158% in Ba and Cl concentrations. The occurrence of these anomalies can be attributed to stress/strain induced pressure changes in the subsurface water systems. It can be suggested that the thermal springs in the fault line area are ideal sites for precursors of earthquakes.
authors.affiliation: Firat University, Sciences Faculty, Department of Chemistry, Elazig, Turkey. myaman@firat.edu.tr
authors.forename: Yaman
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mehmet
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sasmaz