The use of airborne electromagnetics (AEM) data as part of an integrated hydrogeological systems approach to guide irrigation management and irrigation expansion in the Ord River Irrigation Area, WA, Australia  

Authors / CoAuthors

Lawrie, K. | Tan, K.P. | Halas, L. | Brodie, R.S. | Munday, T. | George, R.

Abstract

The Ord Valley Airborne Electromagnetics (AEM) Interpretation Project was undertaken to provide information in relation to salinity and groundwater management in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA), and to guide its future expansion. The project included the acquisition of 5,936 line km of AEM data acquired using the SKYTEM time domain system, the acquisition of a Light Ranging and Detection (LiDAR) survey, and complementary drilling, borehole geophysics, laboratory analysis and interpretation services. Within the limits of available bore data and the scales of airborne data acquisition, this study provided greater spatial detail on critical elements of the hydrostratigraphy in the sedimentary alluvial aquifer systems. This included the indicative 3D extent and thickness of gravel, sand, silt, clay units as well as salt stores and groundwater quality. It also produced first generation of salinity hazard maps. The AEM mapping identified discrete palaeochannels, interpreted as elements of the palaeo-Ord drainage system. Overall, the amount and extent of gravel and sand aquifers present in the study area was significantly less than previously thought, with gravel aquifers present in laterally confined palaeochannel systems. There was also several buried bedrock ridges and shallow pediments that were interpreted to reduce aquifer storage and throughflow. In the Mantinea Plain-Carlton Hill-Parry's Lagoon area, the presence of a marine sand aquifer containing very saline groundwater was confirmed. The 3D mapping provided an important framework for hydrodynamic analysis and hydrogeochemical process studies. In summary, the project demonstrated the potential for 'calibrated' AEM systems and iTEM Fast Approximate Inversion software to shorten project timelines for studies that involve the analysis and interpretation of AEM data.

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nonGeographicDataset

eCat Id

73799

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Keywords

• External PublicationAbstract

( Theme )

• AEM

( Theme )

• palaeogeography

( Theme )

• hydrogeology

( Theme )

• groundwater

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

• Earth Sciences

• Published_Internal

Publication Date

2012-03-15T00:00:00

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Australian Government Security ClassificationSystem    

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence    

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geoscientificInformation

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