THE ORD BONAPARTE PLAINS PROJECT: THE USE OF AIRBORNE ELECTROMAGNETICS AND GROUND MAGNETIC RESONANCE TO RAPIDLY ASSESS THE GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL IN A FRONTIER AREA OF NW AUSTRALIA
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Previous No AccessSymposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems 2017THE ORD BONAPARTE PLAINS PROJECT: THE USE OF AIRBORNE ELECTROMAGNETICS AND GROUND MAGNETIC RESONANCE TO RAPIDLY ASSESS THE GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL IN A FRONTIER AREA OF NW AUSTRALIAAuthors: Neil SymingtonKen LawrieRoss Stuart BrodieKok Piang TanLarysa HalasRoss C BrodieBell JoeNeil SymingtonGeoscience AustraliaSearch for more papers by this author, Ken LawrieGeoscience AustraliaSearch for more papers by this author, Ross Stuart BrodieGeoscience AustraliaSearch for more papers by this author, Kok Piang TanSearch for more papers by this author, Larysa HalasSearch for more papers by this author, Ross C BrodieGeoscience AustraliaSearch for more papers by this author, and Bell JoeGeoscience AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.4133/SAGEEP.30-052 SectionsAboutPDF/ePub ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract The East Kimberley Region of north-western Australia has been identified as a priority for potential agricultural development. Preliminary investigations identified suitable soils in the Ord Bonaparte Plain to the north of existing irrigated agriculture in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA). However, prohibitive costs preclude the extension of the existing surface water supply distribution system to this elevated plain. Therefore, this study was commissioned to assess the potential for underlying aquifers to supply water to the proposed irrigation area. The Ord Bonaparte study area is remote, with limited access and significant areas of indigenous and environmental sensitivity. Initially, spatio-temporal mapping using remote sensing and potential field data, combined with data on the deeper basin stratigraphy from the energy sector was used to plan an airborne electromagnetics (AEM) survey. The relatively resistive nature of the basin sediments has enabled the AEM to map the hydrostratigraphy to depths of 300-500m, except in the coastal zone affected by seawater intrusion. Two overlying aquifers, separated by a faulted, ‘leaky' aquitard (Bennetts Shale), have been identified. The AEM and remote sensing data were subsequently used to plan a ground magnetic resonance (GMR) survey. The latter has provided greater spatial mapping of water table depths, with good aquifer properties indicated, including a high free water content and high aquifer transmissivity. The GMR survey has been validated by borehole NMR and induction logging of pre-existing boreholes. Integration of AEM, GMR and remote sensing data has enabled us to rapidly map and characterise the groundwater system in a remote area. These data have also enabled us to map complex faulting within and bounding the aquifer system, delineated the sea-water intrusion interface, and mapped groundwater dependent ecosystems. These data have been used to target drilling and pump testing that will inform groundwater modelling, water allocations and development decisions. Keywords: Groundwater resource exploration, AEM, GMRPermalink: https://doi.org/10.4133/SAGEEP.30-052FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byMulti-physics, inter-disciplinary approaches for groundwater system investigations and hydrogeological assessments in Northern Australia11 November 2019 | ASEG Extended Abstracts, Vol. 2019, No. 1 Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems 2017ISSN (online):1554-8015Copyright: 2017 Pages: 399 publication data© 2017 Published in electronic format with permission by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and Environment and Engineering Geophysical SocietyPublisher:Environmental & Engineering Geophysical Society HistoryPublished Online: 23 Mar 2017 CITATION INFORMATION Neil Symington, Ken Lawrie, Ross Stuart Brodie, Kok Piang Tan, Larysa Halas, Ross C Brodie, and Bell Joe, (2017), "THE ORD BONAPARTE PLAINS PROJECT: THE USE OF AIRBORNE ELECTROMAGNETICS AND GROUND MAGNETIC RESONANCE TO RAPIDLY ASSESS THE GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL IN A FRONTIER AREA OF NW AUSTRALIA," Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems Proceedings : 396-399. https://doi.org/10.4133/SAGEEP.30-052 Plain-Language Summary KeywordsGroundwater resource explorationAEMGMRPDF DownloadLoading ...Keywords:
Electromagnetics
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