Ekological aspect of the geothermal potentials of ne Serbia

Abstract

The explored area of Banat, located in NE Serbia, with its geological and geothermal characteristics, represents an area with extraordinary ecological potential. The geological structure of Banat is represented by various complexes of Neogene and Quaternary deposits. The Neogene sediments are mostly composed of sandstone, shale, marlstone, sand and gravel. Mesozoic igneous complex is represented by dacites, andesites and basalts. During Quaternary a relatively thick succession of genetically different types of sediments was deposited. Pleistocene and Holocene aeolian sand and loess and fluvial sandy-clayey alevrites, clays, sands and gravel cover the large area. Thickness and lithological composition of crust and lithosphere, as well as character, types and age of tectonic movements and magmatism decisively influence the content of radioactive elements (uranium, thorium and potassium) in the rocks. Nevertheless, the geothermal characteristics of a particular area are influenced in a significant extent by seismicity and hydrogeological properties. The small thickness of the crust and lithosphere, as a result of various geodynamic movements, during the lower and middle Miocene, classify the Pannonian Basin, and therefore the Banat area, among the most promising geothermal areas in Europe. The favorable geothermal characteristics of Banat also show high average values of geothermal gradient and terrestrial heat flux.