| Abstract |
According to hydrochemical analyses four different water types: bicarbonate dominant water (facies-I), sulfate dominant cold brine water (facies-II), sodiumbicarbonate dominant thermal water and thermal and mineralized water (facies-III), and sulfate–chloride dominant thermal and mineralized water (facies-IV) observed in the study area. It is objected that the mineral content/salinity of the water is related to the ions that these waters dissolve from the minerals on the rocks during infiltration and circulation in the saturated zone. Gypsum cover units that exist on the granitoids in the region is the main factor for the ion increase in the facies III geothermal water similar to the cold brine water (facies II). By means of isotopic analyses the thermal springs (Dutlu bath spring, Ayas bath well, Çoban bath well and Kapullu bath spring) are of meteoric origin and receive recharge from precipitation in the Beypazarı granitoids and around gypseous formations with elevations of about 950–1,150 m. On the other hand Karakaya bath well and Ilıca bath spring thermal water points are recharged from the Bilecik limestone hills, Tekke volcanics and Incedoruk Formations. It is observed that Karakoca mineral spring of thermal and mineralized water is recharged from out of the study area. The Ayas resort has been used for balneological purposes since 1892, and the facility currently operates as a spa as well as a physical therapy and rehabilitation center. This is also true for the Dutlu resort. The Coban bath was a spring site in 1970s; however the spring is currently dry. The water of the Karakoca mineral spring is sold in the market under the brand name of Beypazarı; mineral water. According to oxygen-18 (SO42-) and sulfur-34 (SO42-) contents, sulfate in water samples from Ayas and Dutlu resorts as well as Coban bath is derived from the gypsum of Kirmir Formation as the primary source. Sulfates of the Kapullu bath water and Karakoca mineral water originate from secondary sources such as pyrite oxidation and bacteriological reduction. Since 1892, Ayas geothermal waters put forwarded to be good for especially rheumatical problems, sciatica, orthopedic and gynaecologic issues balneologically. Now it has doing service with a modern facility and physical therapy center with 380 rooms and 1000 beds where Dutlu bath in the region giving service with 300 room and 700 bed capacity. |