Mapping Potential Groundwater-Recharge Pathways by Integrating 3D Hydrogeophysical Data with Geomorphic Maps, Hydrodynamic and Hydrogeochemical Data  

Authors / CoAuthors

Gow, L. | Halas, L. | Lawrie, K. | Brodie, R.S. | Magee, J. | Gibson, D. | Clarke, J. | Tan, K.P. | Somerville, P.

Abstract

Poster prepared for International Association of Hydrogeologists Congress 2013 Surface-groundwater interactions are often poorly understood. This is particularly true of many floodplain landscapes in Australia, where there is limited mapping of recharge and discharge zones along the major river systems, and only generalised quantification of hydrological fluxes based on widely spaced surface gauging stations. This is compounded by a lack of temporal data, with poor understanding of how surface-groundwater interactions change under different rainfall, river flow and flood regimes. In this study, high resolution LiDAR, in-river sonar, and airborne electromagnetic (AEM) datasets (validated by drilling) have been integrated to produce detailed 3-dimensional mapping that combines surface geomorphology and hydrogeology. This mapping enables potential recharge zones in the river and adjacent landscape to be identified and assessed under different flow regimes. These potential recharge zones and groundwater flow pathways were then compared against the spatial distribution of discontinuities in near-surface and deeper aquitard layers derived from the AEM interpretation. These 3D mapping constructs provide a framework for considering groundwater processes. Hydrochemistry data, allied with hydraulic data from a bore monitoring network, demonstrate the importance of recharge during significant flood events. In many places, the AEM data also affirm the spatial association between fresher groundwater resources and sites of river and floodplain leakage. At a more localised scale, hydrogeochemical data allows discrimination of lateral and vertical fluxes. Overall, this integrated approach provides an important conceptual framework to constrain hydrogeological modelling, and assessments of sustainable yield. The constructs are also invaluable in targeting and assessing managed aquifer recharge (MAR) options.

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nonGeographicDataset

eCat Id

77129

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• GA PublicationPoster/Image

( Theme )

• groundwater

( Theme )

• hydrochemistry

( Theme )

• hydrogeology

( Theme )

• mapping

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

• Hydrogeology

• Published_Internal

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2013-01-01T00:00:00

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Poster prepared for International Association of Hydrogeologists Congress 2013

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