Groundwater mean residence times of a subtropical barrier sand island

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dc.contributor.authorHofmann, Hen_AU
dc.contributor.authorNewborn, Den_AU
dc.contributor.authorCartwright, Ien_AU
dc.contributor.authorCendón, DIen_AU
dc.contributor.authorRaiber, Men_AU
dc.date.accessioned2020-04-07T01:01:51Zen_AU
dc.date.available2020-04-07T01:01:51Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2020-03-19en_AU
dc.date.statistics2020-04-01en_AU
dc.description.abstractFresh groundwater on barrier islands is affected by changing sea levels and precipitation variability due to climate change and is also vulnerable to anthropogenic processes, such as contamination and groundwater over-abstraction. Constraining groundwater mean residence times (MRTs) and flow paths is essential for understanding and managing these resources. This study uses tritium (3H) and carbon-14 (14C) to determine the MRTs of groundwater along a transect across subtropical North Stradbroke Island, south-east Queensland, Australia. Hydraulic properties, major ion geochemistry and stable isotopes are used to validate residence times and to identify the processes responsible for their variability. 3H activities range from less than 0.01 to 1 TU (tritium units), which are values lower than those of local average rainfall (1.6–2.0 TU). 14C concentrations range from 62.5 to 111 pMC (percent modern carbon). Estimated MRTs determined using lumped parameter models and 3H activities range from 37 to more than 50 years. Recharge occurs over the entire island, and groundwater MRTs generally increase vertically and laterally towards the coastal discharge areas, although no systematic pattern is observed. MRTs estimated from 14C concentrations display similar spatial relationships but have a much greater range (from modern to approximately 5000 years). Water diversion and retention by lower-permeability units in the unsaturated parts of the dune systems are the most likely course for relatively long MRTs to date. The results indicate that the internal structures within the dune systems increase MRTs in the groundwater system and potentially divert flow paths. The structures produce perched aquifer systems that are wide-spread and have a significant influence on regional recharge. The geochemical composition of groundwater remains relatively consistent throughout the island, with the only irregularities attributed to old groundwater stored within coastal peat. The outcomes of this study enhance the understanding of groundwater flow, recharge diversion and inhibition for large coastal sand masses in general, especially for older sand masses that have developed structures from pedogenesis and dune movement. With respect to south-east Queensland, it allows the existing regional groundwater flow model to be refined by incorporating independent MRTs to test models' validity. The location of this large fresh groundwater reservoir, in dry and populous south-east Queensland, means that its potential to be used as a water source is always high. Background information on aquifer distribution and groundwater MRTs is crucial to better validate impact assessment for water abstraction. © Author(s) 2020en_AU
dc.identifier.citationHofmann, H., Newborn, D., Cartwright, I., Cendón, D., & Raiber, M. (2020). Groundwater mean residence times of a subtropical barrier sand island. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 24(3), 1293-1318. doi:10.5194/hess-24-1293-2020en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc9323en_AU
dc.identifier.issn1607-7938en_AU
dc.identifier.issue3en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleHydrology and Earth System Sciencesen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination1293-1318en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-1293-2020en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/9317en_AU
dc.identifier.volume24en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherEuropean Geosciences Unionen_AU
dc.subjectGround wateren_AU
dc.subjectIslandsen_AU
dc.subjectTritiumen_AU
dc.subjectCarbon 14en_AU
dc.subjectQueenslanden_AU
dc.subjectAustraliaen_AU
dc.subjectFlow rateen_AU
dc.subjectSanden_AU
dc.titleGroundwater mean residence times of a subtropical barrier sand islanden_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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