Authors / CoAuthors
Lawrie, K. | Brodie, R.S. | Tan, K.P. | Dillon, P | Vanderzalm, J. | Page, D.
Abstract
The Broken Hill Managed Aquifer Recharge (BHMAR) project is part of a larger strategic effort aimed at securing Broken Hill's water supply and identifying significant water-saving measures for the Darling River system. Hydrogeological investigations to rapidly identify and assess potential MAR targets and groundwater resources over a large area (>7,500 km2), included acquisition of an airborne electromagnetics (AEM) survey, a 7.5 km drilling program (100 sonic and rotary mud holes), and complementary field and laboratory hydrogeochemical investigations. In this study, AEM mapping validated by drilling has identified significant groundwater resources and potential MAR targets within shallow unconsolidated Pliocene sediments at relatively shallow depths (25-100m). Pliocene sand aquifers comprise the fluvial Calivil Formation, with the shallow marine Loxton-Parilla Sands restricted to the southernmost part of the area. The Calivil Formation is widely distributed, and has high storage capacity and very high transmissivities (up to 50 l/s), with particularly good aquifers developed in palaeochannels at the confluence of palaeo-river systems. The hydraulic properties make the Calivil Formation aquifer potentially suitable for groundwater extraction and/or MAR injection, with excellent recovery efficiencies predicted. The aquifer is sandwiched between variably thick clay aquitards, and can be characterised as varying from a confined to a 'leaky confined' system. Post-depositional warping, tilting and discrete offsets associated with neotoectonics are also recognised. Entry-level risk assessments were carried out for a number of potential MAR targets, with a pre-commissioning semi-quantitative residual risk assessment carried out for a priority site. Assessment of 12 hazard types included hydrogeological modelling, laboratory column clogging studies and geochemical assessment to assess source water treatment requirements.
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nonGeographicDataset
eCat Id
73790
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Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
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2601
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Keywords
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- External PublicationAbstract
- ( Theme )
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- AEM
- ( Theme )
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- groundwater
- ( Theme )
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- hydrogeology
- Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
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- Earth Sciences
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- Published_Internal
Publication Date
2012-03-15T00:00:00
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