Surface and Groundwater Hydrochemistry of the Menengai Caldera Geothermal Field and Surrounding Nakuru County, Kenya

Groundwater and surface water hydrochemistry around the Menengai Caldera geothermal field, Kenya, reveals significant mixing between meteoric, irrigation, and Lake Nakuru waters. Geothermal wells exhibit high cation/anion concentrations with isotopic signatures indicating a predominantly meteoric origin, though some show evaporitic influences from Lake Nakuru, particularly MW-09, which also displays evidence of water-rock interaction and oxygen isotopic exchange. Seasonal shifts in Lake Nakuru's ionic and isotopic values correlate with reduced water inflow and increased evaporation, further illuminating the hydrological dynamics. This study provides critical insights for assessing the sustainability and environmental impact of geothermal power production in the region.

Montcoudiol, N., Burnside, N. M., Györe, D., Mariita, N., Mutia, T., & Boyce, A. (2019). Surface and Groundwater Hydrochemistry of the Menengai Caldera Geothermal Field and Surrounding Nakuru County, Kenya. Energies, 12(16), 3131. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12163131