Examination of Element Concentrations in Groundwater by ICP-MS for Monitoring of Pre-Earthquake Activities

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 μg·L-1, respectively. Chloride concentrations for these periods are in range of 7～21 mg·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.