Examining origins of thermal water resources in Diyarbakir (Çermik) and Sanliurfa (Karaali) provinces

In this study, the characteristics of thermal resources of Karaali (Sanliurfa) and Cermik (Diyarbakir) were examined and compared in terms of their origin and features. Chemical analysis of Karaali and Cermik thermal water resources were performed. Origins of anions and cations in the resource waters were expalined. Based on the chemical contents, Piper, Schoeller, USA Salinity and Wilcox diagrams were designed and the relationship of chemical composition of waters with their lithologies were interpreted.The dominant cation of Karali is Ca and anion is HCO3 and according to Schoeller graphic it is in Ca-HCO3 water group. The dominant cation of Çermik is Na and anion are HCO3 and Cl. According to Schoeller graphic it is in Na-Cl and Na-HCO3 water groups. Based on the Piper diagram, the Karaali and the Çermik are placed in mixed water class. According to USA Salinity diagram, Karali is defined as C2S1 whereas the Cermik is classified as C3S1 water classes. These thermal waters are interpreted as ?good usable? and ?hard water? according to Wilcox diagram and French Hardness Degree. Low Cl content of thermal waters indicates that the water resources are of meteoric in origin. Waters of Karaali and Cermik areas correspond to Unstable or Raw Water area of Giggenbach diagram. The depth of reservoirs were calculated as 736 for Karaali and 1190 m for the Çermik. It is determined that the thermal waters were not suitable for drinking as a result of Alpha and Beta analysis. The temperatures of water resources were in range between 41 and 52 oC and the outputs were measured as between 6 and 27 litre/second.