Understanding the evolution of thermal fluids along the western continental margin of India using geochemical and boron isotope signatures

•Trace element chemistry of the thermal waters classify them into three distinct groups.•Chondrite-normalized REE patterns indicate a pronounced ‘Eu’ anomaly in the thermal waters.•Water-rock interaction experiments indicate involvement of Precambrian granites, although the springs issue through the Deccan basaltic province.•Boron isotopic signatures indicate involvement of marginal basin sediments apart from the granites in the evolution of the thermal waters. Thermal springs lined up for about 350 km along the Western coast of Maharashtra, India, have been studied for major, minor, trace and rare earth elements, along with the boron isotope ratios for selected samples, to understand their evolution pattern. These alkaline springs have discharge temperatures varying from 40 to 72 °C. Based on the major ion composition, it is established that most of the thermal springs are of Na(Ca)-Cl or Ca(Na)-Cl type, with a few of Na-Cl(SO4) type. Only one thermal spring at Rajapur is Na-HCO3 type behavior. Trace elements concentration vary significantly e.g., Li (19–386 ppb), B (104–1362 ppb), Sr (16–13560 ppb), Rb (13–220 ppb), Cs (0.75–44 ppb) and Ba (3–2077 ppb). Chondrite-normalized REE patterns indicate a pronounced ‘Eu’ anomaly probably due to the involvement of plagioclase, but the effect of temperature reaching more than 250 °C cannot be ruled out in case of some springs. First-time study of δ11B isotope (range between 2.5‰ to 27.0‰) of the West Coast thermal fluid suggests role of leaking marine sediments in their evolution. Water-rock interaction experiments with granite, basalt and diluted seawater at elevated temperatures and pressures have given an insight into the evolution of the thermal springs. Based on all the findings, a conceptual model has been prepared, which gives an overview of the evolution of the thermal springs.