Hydrogeology of the McBride and Nulla basalt provinces in the Upper Burdekin region, north Queensland  


Authors / CoAuthors

Ransley, T.R. | Dixon-Jain, P. | Cook, S.B. | Lai, E.C.S. | Kilgour, P.L. | Wallace, L. | Dunn, B. | Hansen, J.W.L. | Herbert, G.

Abstract

We present a multifaceted hydrogeological investigation of the McBride and Nulla basalt provinces in the Upper Burdekin region, north Queensland. The project aims to better understand their key groundwater system processes to inform future development and water management decisions. This work, carried out as part of the Exploring for the Future Upper Burdekin Groundwater Project, has shown that basalt aquifers in each province are typically unconfined where monitored. Groundwater recharge is widespread but highly variable, largely occurring within the boundaries of the basalt provinces. Groundwater salinity based on electrical conductivity is <1000 μS/cm in the McBride Basalt Province (MBP) and up to 2000 μS/cm in the Nulla Basalt Province (NBP). Groundwater levels have been declining since 2011 (following major flooding in Queensland), showing that the study period covers a small fraction of a longer-functioning dynamic groundwater system. The basalt provinces contain distinct lava flows, and the degree of hydraulic connectivity between them is unclear. Despite similarities in their rock properties, the geometry of lava emplacement leads to different groundwater flow regimes within the two basalt provinces. Radial flow away from the central high elevations towards the edges is characteristic of the MBP, while regional flow from west to east dominates the NBP. Basalt aquifers in both provinces support a range of groundwater-dependent ecosystems, such as springs, some of which sustain flow in tributaries of the Burdekin River. Where streams intersect basalt aquifers, this also results in direct groundwater discharge. Springs and perennial tributaries, particularly emanating from the MBP, provide important inflows to the Burdekin River, especially in the dry season. This work has highlighted that management of MBP and NBP groundwater sources is crucial for maintaining a range of environmental assets in the region and for ensuring access for existing and future users. <b>Citation:</b> Ransley, T.R., Dixon-Jain, P., Cook, S.B., Lai, E.C.S., Kilgour, P., Wallace, L., Dunn, B., Hansen, J.W.L. and Herbert, G., 2020. Hydrogeology of the McBride and Nulla basalt provinces in the Upper Burdekin region, north Queensland. In: Czarnota, K., Roach, I., Abbott, S., Haynes, M., Kositcin, N., Ray, A. and Slatter, E. (eds.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, 1–4.

Product Type

document

eCat Id

133647

Contact for the resource

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Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia)  
Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia

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Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.11636/133647

Keywords

theme.ANZRC Fields of Research.rdf
  • EARTH SCIENCES
( Project )
  • EftF
( Project )
  • Exploring for the Future
  • groundwater
  • surface water
  • groundwater dependent ecosystem
  • spring
  • Burdekin River
  • basalt
  • McBride
  • Nulla
  • remote sensing
  • hydrochemistry
  • hydrogeology
  • LiDAR
  • Groundwater Systems
  • Published_External

Publication Date

2020-06-30T03:27:07

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Australian Government Security ClassificationSystem    

Classification - unclassified

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence    

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Use - license

Status

completed

Purpose

EFTF Extended Abstract

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asNeeded

Topic Category

geoscientificInformation

Series Information

Lineage

This study presents key results from the Upper Burdekin Groundwater Project, conducted as part of Exploring for the Future (EFTF) initiative. The study presents a multifaceted hydrogeological investigation of the McBride and Nulla basalt provinces in the Upper Burdekin region, North Queensland. Field investigations were carried out between 2017-2019 to collect hydrogeological, hydrochemical, geological and geophysical data. Data acquired for the project and associated value-added products are discoverable and available for public use via the EFTF portal (https://portal.ga.gov.au/).

Parent Information

Extents

[-22.51, -18.40, 142.73, 147.83]

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Spatial Resolution

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Downloads and Links

Extended Abstract for download (pdf) [5 MB]  

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