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 90thermal water samples were collected on a regular basis from 2006to 2008to 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 16months are in ranges of 79～422,103～167,28～93and 0.3～1.2 μ g.L-1,respectively.Chloride concentrations for these periods are in range of 7～21mg.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.