Environmental isotopes meet 3D geological modelling: Conceptualising recharge and structurally-controlled aquifer connectivity in the basalt plains of south-western Victoria, Australia

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorRaiber, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorWebb, JAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCendón, DIen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWhite, PAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorJacobsen, GEen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2021-12-07T00:06:11Zen_AU
dc.date.available2021-12-07T00:06:11Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2015-08en_AU
dc.date.statistics2021-10-21en_AU
dc.description.abstractTo develop a conceptual model of recharge and inter-aquifer connectivity for a complex aquifer system in southwestern Victoria, Australia, a three-dimensional (3D) geological model was constructed and used to examine the influence of the regional geology on groundwater composition and age, as well as recharge mechanisms. The major aquifers are three basalts, differentiated on age and geomorphological features, and an underlying palaeovalley (deep lead) system. The upper fine-grained sediments of the deep lead form an aquitard that separates the basalt from the permeable sands and gravels beneath. Recharge calculations (chloride mass balance and water-table fluctuation methods), salinity, stable isotope, tritium and radiocarbon data show that volcanoes and the youngest basalts, although volumetrically minor, form preferential recharge areas for all the basalts (up to ∼30 mm/year), and also recharge the deep lead sediments through volcanic necks that penetrate the aquitard. Infiltration through the thick, clay-rich soils on the older basalts is small (typically ⩽ 1–2 mm/year) and saline, resulting in a progressive increase of groundwater salinity along the flow path in these basalts. The comparison of fault location with groundwater age in the deep lead aquifer suggests that in some areas, faults exert significant structural control on groundwater flow. This study demonstrates the value of integrating geological, hydrogeological and hydrochemical data to identify preferential recharge areas, inter-aquifer connectivity and the influence of faults on groundwater flow in a complex aquifer system. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.en_AU
dc.description.sponsorshipThe authors also thank La Trobe University and the Australian Institute for Nuclear Sciences and Engineering (AINSE) for funding this project through a postgraduate research award to MR. Also, the UNESCO-funded IGCP-618 and the G@GPS network (Groundwater@Global Palaeoclimatic Signals) are acknowledged for financial support.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationRaiber, M., Webb, J. A., Cendón, D. I., White, P. A., & Jacobsen, G. E. (2015). Environmental isotopes meet 3D geological modelling: Conceptualising recharge and structurally-controlled aquifer connectivity in the basalt plains of south-western Victoria, Australia. Journal of Hydrology, 527, 262-280. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.04.053en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0022-1694en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleJournal of Hydrologyen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination262-280en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.04.053en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/12363en_AU
dc.identifier.volume527en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherElsevier B. V.en_AU
dc.subjectGroundwater rechargeen_AU
dc.subjectAquifersen_AU
dc.subjectGeologic faultsen_AU
dc.subjectSimulationen_AU
dc.subjectBasalten_AU
dc.subjectVictoriaen_AU
dc.subjectAustraliaen_AU
dc.titleEnvironmental isotopes meet 3D geological modelling: Conceptualising recharge and structurally-controlled aquifer connectivity in the basalt plains of south-western Victoria, Australiaen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
Files
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.63 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Journal Articles