An Integrated Hydrogeophysical Approach to Exploring for Groundwater Resources in Southern Northern Territory
Laura GowNiels B. ChristensenJohn D. H. WischusenKen LawrieDonna CathroSam BuchananMartin SmithKokPiang Tan
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In Australia’s semi-arid and arid interior, groundwater resources provide water supply security for agriculture and community consumptive use and are critical for underpinning economic development. . The Southern Stuart Corridor Project in central Australia, is an inter-disciplinary study which aims to better characterise regional groundwater systems and identify the location, quantity and quality of new groundwater resources. The main aims of the project are(1) to de-risk investment in development of a potential agricultural precinct in the Western Davenport Basin, and expansion of horticulture in Ti-Tree Basin, (2) to identify future water supplies for Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, and (3) for regional water supplies for mineral resource development.The project is funded by Geoscience Australia (GA) as part of the Exploring for the Future (EFTF) Programme. The project integrates airborne electromagnetic (AEM), ground geophysics (ground magnetic resonance (GMR) and borehole geophysics (Induction, gamma and nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)) with drilling and pump testing; hydrochemistry and geochronology; and geomorphic, geological, hydrogeological and structural mapping and modelling. Advancements in temporal remote sensing technologies for surface hydrology, vegetation and landscape mapping are also used to facilitate the identification of recharge and discharge zones and groundwater-dependent vegetation.This paper reports on initial AEM inversion results for the Alice Springs, Ti-Tree Basin, Western Davenport and Tennant Creek areas and the use of a machine learning approach for rapid geological and hydrogeological interpretation of the AEM data. These machine learning approaches have the potential to significantly reduce interpretation time and facilitate the rapid delivery of project results.Cite
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Specific storage
Aquifer test
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The study examines the hydrogeological conditions and the hydraulic characteristics of the water bearing horizons within the hydrogeologic regime of the study area located west of Iraq to the west of longitude 40°40'. Also the study shed light on the flow behavior regime and its impacts on the groundwater movement, ground water flow velocities (permeability and hydraulic gradients) considering the regional structural phenomena. The Hydrogeological data presented as spatial distribution maps and three dimensional models. The results which were achieved from the field measurements are correlated with the main hydrogeologic control points such as storage and transmissivity coefficients, groundwater depths, aquifers thickness, lateral extensions and groundwater recharge to classify the hydrogeologic districts for development and exploitation. The hydrogeologic regime of the study area is classified and screened into various aquifers, including Ga'ra, Mullusi, Mullusi-Ubaid, Hartha, Tayarat-Digma (Jeed), Muhaywir-Ubaid and Rattga aquifers. The statistical results of the hydraulic and hydrochemical parameters were examined for explaining the spatial distribution of each parameter within the uppermost aquifers and determining the preference hydrogeologic districts for future groundwater exploitation as hereinafter order, Ubaid Mullusi aquifer within district-6, Rattga and Digma-Tayarat aquifer within district-7, Mullusi aquifer within district-2, Hartha aquifer within district-3, Digma-Tayarat aquifer within district-4, Ga'ra aquifer within district-1, Muhaywir-Ubaid aquifer within district-5 and Digma-Tayarat within district-8, respectively.
Aquifer properties
Aquifer test
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A study of hydrogeological process involves movement of water beneath the ground surface. Water content in the aquifer influences the quantitative determination of aquifer hydraulic parameters. The limited opportunity to
explore and demonstrate groundwater processes is the reason why students have inappropriate understanding of groundwater concept. The visualisation of groundwater flow is quite difficult as it deals with subsurface condition which cannot be seen. In research, field experiments on groundwater are difficult to carry out because time consuming and involves uncertainty in aquifer conditions. Physical models have been used in classroom as a tool for teaching hydrogeology. Further understanding was developed by demonstration and
observation of groundwater flow using simple sand tank. Previous research implemented sand tank under controlled conditions to investigate the mechanism and flow process of groundwater. A large artificial physical aquifer
model was developed in this study as an alternative to show the students the real aquifer condition and hydrogeology processes. The model consisted of
three different layers of soils, in which water table level was controlled using water tank at both sides of the physical model structure. Hydraulic parameters
of the artificial aquifer and performance of production well were evaluated by pumping tests. The groundwater flow in the artificial aquifer model was simulated accordingly to Darcy‟s law. Analysis of pumping test was computed by an Aquifer Test software. Well performance measurement provided by a step drawdown pumping test estimated the efficiency of well as 99%. The artificial aquifer model was verified by constant rate discharge pumping test and found to be a leaky aquifer. The pumping test analyzed the aquifer with transmissivity of 78.50m2/day and hydraulic conductivity of 7.37m/day while
recovery test analyzed the transmissivity to be 8.22m2/day and hydraulic conductivity of 7.34m/day. Both test analyzed the storage coefficient as 0.5.
This artificial aquifer physical model was designed and developed to enhance student‟s understanding of groundwater theory. Through hands-on pumping test on the aquifer model, students would be able to visualize clearer the groundwater processes.
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Declining groundwater levels resulting from groundwater withdrawals in the Santa Fe, New Mexico, area have caused concern about the future availability of water in the Tesuque aquifer system. This report describes the geohydrology of the Tesuque aquifer system in the Santa Fe area and presents a three-dimensional regional groundwater flow model which assesses the effects of existing and possible future groundwater withdrawals on the regional aquifer system. The model was calibrated using simulations of the predevelopment steady-state condition and the 1947-82 historical period. The response of the aquifer to two scenarios of future groundwater withdrawals from 1983 to 2020 was simulated. (USGS)
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