Quantitative analysis of Cenozoic faults and fractures and their impact on groundwater flow in the bedrock aquifers of Ireland

Faults and fractures are a critical store and pathway for groundwater in Ireland’s limestone bedrock aquifers either directly as conductive structures or indirectly as the locus for the development of karst conduits. From the quantitative analysis of post-Devonian faults and fractures in a range of lithological sequences, this report describes the principal characteristics of Cenozoic strike-slip faults and joints, the youngest and the most intrinsically conductive fractures within Irish bedrock. Analysis of these structures in more than 120 outcrop, quarry, mine and cave locations in a range of bedrock types, provides a basis for: (1) definition of quantitative models for their depth dependency, lithological control, scaling systematics and links to preexisting structure, (2) conceptualisation of their impact on groundwater behaviour, and (3) estimation of groundwater flow parameters. The quantitative models provide constraints on fracture-controlled flow connectivity. Commonly observed decreases in sustainable flows and water strike interceptions with depth are attributed to increasing confinement and decreasing fracture connectivity and dissolution. Faults and joints have quite different end member geometries, with faults having strongly heterogeneous scale-independent properties and joints more often showing scale-dependent stratabound properties. The highest and most sustainable groundwater flows are usually associated with the complexity of structure of Cenozoic faults and of preexisting Carboniferous structures (on which conductive fracturing localises), enhanced by karstification and strongly jointed limestone bedrock particularly in the near-surface. Increased groundwater flow is promoted within bedded, rather than massive (i.e. unbedded), limestone sequences, characterised by bedding-parallel fractures and karst connecting otherwise subvertical fractures and subvertical wells.

A hydrological framework for persistent river pools

Persistent surface water pools along non-perennial rivers represent an important water resource for plants, animals, and humans. While ecological studies of these features are not uncommon, these are rarely accompanied by a rigorous examination of the hydrological and hydrogeological characteristics that create or support the pools. Here we present an overarching framework for understanding the hydrology of persistent pools. We identified perched water, alluvial through flow and groundwater discharge as mechanisms that control the persistence of pools along river channels. Groundwater discharge is further categorized into that controlled by a geological contact or barrier (not previously described in the literature), and discharge controlled by topography. Emphasis is put on clearly defining through-flow pools and the different drivers of groundwater discharge, as this is lacking in the literature. A suite of diagnostic tools (including geological mapping, hydraulic data and hydrochemical surveys) is generally required to identify the mechanism(s) supporting persistent pools. Water fluxes to pools supported by through-flow alluvial and bedrock aquifers can vary seasonally and resolving these inputs is generally non-trivial. This framework allows the evaluation of the susceptibility of persistent pools along river channels to changes in climate or groundwater withdrawals. Finally, we present three case studies from the Hamersley Basin of north-western Australia to demonstrate how the available diagnostic tools can be applied within the proposed framework.

Prediction of the Water-Bearing Capacity of Coal Strata by Using the Macro and Micro Pore Structure Parameters of Aquifers

Accurate prediction of the water-bearing capacity of aquifers is crucial for protecting the surface ecological environment and ensuring safety during coal mining. In this study, a macro–micro combination was used to investigate the water-bearing capacity of bedrock aquifers. At the micro-level, the micro pore parameters of various sandstones were determined through cast sheeting. At the macro-level, the porosity and water absorption rate of various sandstones were determined experimentally. After that, a new index weighting method was proposed to comprehensively evaluate the water-bearing capacity index of sandstone. According to this method, the water-bearing capacity of aquifers in the Guojiahe coalmine were evaluated. The research results revealed that the water-bearing capacity of sandstone was mainly related to its pore connectivity, and the water-bearing capacity of sandstone in the Luo’he and Zhi’luo formation was considerably greater than that in the Yan’an formation. The water bearing capacity of strata in the eastern part of the mining area is lower than that in the western part of the mining area. The research results can provide considerable money savings for coal mining and protect the ecological environment and groundwater resources in the region.

Improving the Hydrogeologic Conceptualization of a Remote Semi-Arid Palaeovalley Groundwater System using Airborne Electromagnetics, Seismic Refraction and Reflection, and Downhole Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

A hydrogeologic conceptualization is critical to understand, manage, protect, and sustain groundwater resources, especially in regions where data are sparse, and accessibility is difficult. We used airborne electromagnetic (AEM), shallow seismic reflection and refraction data, and downhole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logs to improve our understanding of an arid groundwater system influenced by palaeovalleys. In the current hydrogeologic conceptualization it is unknown if the palaeovalley and underlying bedrock aquifers are connected. We focused on defining the spatial distribution of saprolite, which is the layer of chemically altered rock separating the palaeovalley and bedrock aquifers. The AEM data provided an estimate of the top of saprolite but failed to effectively image the bottom. In contrast, the seismic data provided an estimate of the bottom of saprolite but failed to image the top. This unique geophysical combination of electrical and elastic data allowed us to map saprolite thickness in detail along a 1.7 km long transect that runs perpendicular the main trunk of a well-defined palaeovalley. We show that the palaeovalley is lined with a heterogenous layer of saprolite (3-120 m thick) that is thickest near the palaeovalley edges. Despite the variability, only a small percentage of the bedrock aquifer (8-17%) is in contact with the palaeovalley aquifer. Furthermore, the lack of an elastic boundary at the top of saprolite suggests that the porosity of the saprolite is similar to the palaeovalley sediments. An observation that is supported by the downhole NMR water contents. The electrical change at the top of saprolite is caused by a change in pore structure associated with the difference of weathering in situ versus transported materials. Our geophysical data suggest that the saprolite acts as an aquitard limiting groundwater exchange between the palaeovalley and bedrock aquifers.

Evaluation of groundwater potential of bedrock aquifers in Geological Sheet 223 Ilorin, Nigeria, using geo-electric sounding

Electrical resistivity data acquired in one hundred and ten (110) locations using vertical electrical sounding method of Schlumberger array have been used to study the hydrogeological properties and groundwater storage potential of bedrock aquifers in an area covered by Geological Sheet 223 Ilorin, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to identify productive aquifer zones for citing boreholes for community water supply. The data acquired were processed and interpreted using auxiliary curve matching and computer automation method to delineate the different geo-electric layers, their resistivities, thicknesses, and depths. Geo-electrical layers were interpreted to their equivalent geological layers using borehole lithological logs from the study area. Then, the hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, fracture contrast, reflection coefficient were estimated and plotted in the form of 2D maps to describe the spatial variations of these parameters in the area. The results of the study revealed the presence of three to five geo-electric layers. The geo-electric layers, from top to the bottom, corresponds to the topsoil layer, lateritic layer, weathered rock layer, fractured rock layer, and the fresh basement rock. Lateritic and/or fractured rock layers were not delineated in some places. The weathered and fractured rock layers, where present, correspond to the aquifer units. The thickness of the fracture aquifer ranges from 0.6 to 33.6 m while the thickness of the weathered aquifer ranges from 1.4 to 49.3 m. The transmissivity, $$ T $$ T , and hydraulic conductivity, $$ K $$ K , range from 3 to 1200 m2/day and 1 to 48 m/day, respectively. The reflection coefficient and fracture contrast map showed the presence of water-bearing fractures and shared some similarities with T and K maps. A mathematical model for predicting groundwater potential, $$ {\text{GW}}_{\text{P}} $$ GW P , of weathered aquifer in the basement complex terrain was proposed in this study. The consistencies between the overall groundwater potential map and aquifers parameters distributions maps suggest the appropriateness of the proposed mathematical model for predicting groundwater potential of weathered rock in the basement complex area of Nigeria. The western, northwestern, and central parts of the study area, having $$ {\text{GW}}_{\text{P}} $$ GW P greater than 0.6 (60%), were recommended for groundwater development through boreholes drilled to a depth ranging between 75 and 100 m.

Seismic refraction tracks porosity generation and possible CO2production at depth under a headwater catchment

In weathered bedrock aquifers, groundwater is stored in pores and fractures that open as rocks are exhumed and minerals interact with meteoric fluids. Little is known about this storage because geochemical and geophysical observations are limited to pits, boreholes, or outcrops or to inferences based on indirect measurements between these sites. We trained a rock physics model to borehole observations in a well-constrained ridge and valley landscape and then interpreted spatial variations in seismic refraction velocities. We discovered that P-wave velocities track where a porosity-generating reaction initiates in shale in three boreholes across the landscape. Specifically, velocities of 2.7 ± 0.2 km/s correspond with growth of porosity from dissolution of chlorite, the most reactive of the abundant minerals in the shale. In addition, sonic velocities are consistent with the presence of gas bubbles beneath the water table under valley and ridge. We attribute this gas largely to CO2produced by 1) microbial respiration in soils as meteoric waters recharge into the subsurface and 2) the coupled carbonate dissolution and pyrite oxidation at depth in the rock. Bubbles may nucleate below the water table because waters depressurize as they flow from ridge to valley and because pores have dilated as the deep rock has been exhumed by erosion. Many of these observations are likely to also describe the weathering and flow path patterns in other headwater landscapes. Such combined geophysical and geochemical observations will help constrain models predicting flow, storage, and reaction of groundwater in bedrock systems.