Deep reaching fluid-flow in the Central European Basin System

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Asaf Pekdeger (†)
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2002 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5366929

Extensive evidence for rising saline waters has been gathered through three centuries and in different regions of the Central European Basin System. These saline springs are temporary and spatially instable (vagabonding). The ultimate causes are not yet clear, however, the chemistry of the waters indicates a deep (Pre-Tertiary) origin. Rising relatively dense salty waters requires forces, either intrinsic to the basins like thermal variations or external (hydraulic head). Because the topography is rather flat, local effects from a varying hydraulic head are not feasible while preliminary model approaches indicate a sufficiently strong interaction with the temperature field in order to induce free convection. The dynamics of the process will be studied in combining hydrology, water chemistry and modelling. The proposal will directly contribute to the theme "recent state and young processes" of the SPP Dynamics of Sedimentary Systems under Varying Stress Conditions by Example of the Central European Basin-System by evaluating the most likely present day flow regime within the basin fill, its interaction with the thermal field as well as fault systems and salt structures. In addition, the proposed work will need and provide feed back with the theme "Fluid- and salt-dynamics" and will also have some connection to the theme "structure and evolution of the crust" as far as the deep thermal field is considered. The final objective is, to understand the fluid dynamics intrinsic to the basin as well as the effects of possible external forces like the impact of the hydraulic head at the southern margin of the basin.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1135: Dynamics of Sedimentary Systems under Varying Stress Regimes: The Example of the Central European Basin System
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Ulf Bayer (†); Dr. Jürgen Fuhrmann; Professor Dr. Peter Möller; Professor Dr. Hans-Jürgen Voigt