Recharge mechanism and salinization processes in coastal aquifers in Nam Dinh province, Vietnam

In Nam Dinh province, in the Red River delta plain in Northern Vietnam, groundwater in the shallow Holocene aquifer shows elevated total dissolved solids up to 35 km from the coastline, indicating a saltwater intrusion from the Gulf of Tonkin. High groundwater salinities have been encountered below and adjacent to the Red River in the deep Pleistocene aquifer. Since 1996, large-scale groundwater abstraction was initiated from the deep aquifer, and the observed elevated salinities now raise concerns about whether the groundwater abstraction is undertaken sustainably. We have conducted a study to obtain a fundamental understanding of the recharge mechanisms and salinization processes in the Nam Dinh province. A holistic approach with multiple methods including transient electromagnetic sounding and borehole logging, exploratory drilling, sampling and analyzing primary ion and stable isotope compositions of water and pore water, groundwater head monitoring, hydraulic experiments laboratory of clay layers, and groundwater modeling by using the SEAWAT code. Results reveal that saline river water is leached from the Red River and its distributaries into the shallow aquifers. The distribution and occurrence of salty pore water in the Holocene aquitard clay shows that meteoric water has not been flowing through these low permeable clay layers. Marine pore water has, however, been leached out of the Pleistocene clay. When this layer is present, it offers protection of the lower aquifer against high salinity water from above. Salinity as high as 80 % of oceanic water is observed in interstitial pore water of the transgressive Holocene clay. Saltwater is transported into the Pleistocene aquifer, where the Holocene clay is directly overlying the aquifer.

Geological Feature Modeling and Reserve Estimation of Uranium Deposits Based on Multiple Interpolation Methods

Uranium resource distribution and accurate reserve evaluation are important references for mineral investment and production. Eight kinds of interpolation methods in the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS), including ordinary kriging (OK), are used in this study to predict the spatial distribution of reserve-related parameters, such as uranium grade, ore thickness and uranium content per square meter. The present study draws the following conclusions: (1) Cross-validation found that the uranium grade value using the spherical method is the closest to the actual value. The spherical method has the best interpolation effect. (2) The relative error, which is +3.62%, between the uranium reserves that is calculated by the spherical interpolation method and that by the traditional calculation value is the smallest. (3) The setting of the number of interpolation grids is related to the actual number of boreholes. The ratio between the two will affect the accuracy of reserve estimation, and different interpolation methods have different degrees of influence on reserve estimation. This method is applicable to all in-situ leaching sandstone uranium mines. Further study needs to be carried out toward heterogeneity of three-dimensional space, which will make the estimation more accurate.

Groundwater Effect on Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining: a Case of West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

The stability of open pit slopes in Biangan district, West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan Province, is greatly influenced by groundwater conditions. The existence of groundwater reduces the shear strength of the materials which causes a decrease in the stability value of pit slopes. The main objective of this study is to assess the impact of groundwater on the stability of the low wall and high wall pit mining. Groundwater modeling is used to determine the prediction of groundwater level on the pit slope which determines the value of the slope stability. Slope stability analysis in this study was performed using the Finite Element Method, producing output in the form of strain zones, deformation and displacement values. Therefore, the Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) approach was used, which is a gradual reduction of shear strength until the values of cohesion and friction angles reach minimums and the slopes are at a critical state. Groundwater modeling results indicate that groundwater flows to the Biangan river with hydraulic heads between 76 and 108 meters above sea level. Based on the analysis using the Finite Element Method, the stability values of the pit slopes, which are influenced by groundwater, are 0.65 on the low wall and 1.40 on the high wall. The total displacements are 0.019 meters on the low wall and 0.002 meters on the high wall. The impact of groundwater on the slope is an increase in the slope load. This increases the materials’ thrust and reduces the shear strength of the materials which reduces the rock mass that can function as a water seepage path. Thus, the recommendation for low wall pit construction is a safety factor of 7.79 with a total displacement of 0.020 meters.