Authors / CoAuthors
Lawrie, K. | Brodie, R.S.
Abstract
Surface water availability limits managed aquifer recharge (MAR) opportunities in inland Australia, however new mining and energy developments (e.g. coal seam gas and shale gas) have increased the range of available source waters for MAR. Furthermore, in northern Australia, recent studies have shown that shallow aquifers may not experience seasonal 'fill and spill', and hence have greater potential for enhanced recharge than previously realised. Economic factors generally limit MAR investigations to shallow (<200m depth) groundwater systems near existing infrastructure. However, in the near-surface environment, MAR storage potential lies in shallow palaeo-channel and alluvial fans systems. Sands deposited in marine environments have a more restricted distribution, but generally have more consistent hydraulic properties. Some of the challenges for MAR projects in inland Australia include: 1. There is a general paucity of relevant spatial and temporal hydrogeological data; 2. Hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical processes in Australia's shallow aquifer systems are generally poorly understood at all scales relevant to MAR assessments; 3. Many of Australia's inland depositional landscapes are characterised by fining-upwards sedimentary systems, limiting surface infiltration options; 4. Palaeo-channel systems are difficult investigative targets, with highly variable hydraulic properties; 5. Confining aquitards (lacustrine or marine clays) have a restricted distribution, and are poorly understood; 6. Post-depositional weathering of sedimentary sequences is significant but highly variable, modifying hydraulic and geochemical properties, with implications for aquifer clogging potential; 7. Faults in sediments and geological basement may be MAR targets and/or play a role in recharge, but their distribution and hydraulic properties are poorly understood; 8. Water quality in aquifers (e.g. salinities and trace metals), important for recovery efficiencies, is poorly understood. Overall, there are significant scientific, technical, economic and social challenges to be overcome to develop MAR options in inland Australia. However, a stringent national risk assessment framework greatly assists with guiding the investigative effort required to assess proposed schemes.
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nonGeographicDataset
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75740
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- External PublicationAbstract
- Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
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- Geology
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- Published_Internal
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2013-01-01T00:00:00
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Abstract prepared for submission to the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH).
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