Hydrogeology and Groundwater Systems of the Isa GBA Region Technical Appendix for the Geological and Bioregional Assessment: Stage 2

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Hydrogeology and Groundwater Systems of the Isa GBA Region Technical Appendix for the Geological and Bioregional Assessment: Stage 2 Hydrogeology and groundwater systems of the Isa GBA region Technical appendix for the Geological and Bioregional Assessment: Stage 2 2020 A scientific collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia The Geological and Bioregional Assessment Program The Geological and Bioregional Assessment Program will provide independent scientific advice on the potential impacts from shale and tight gas projects on the environment. The geological and environmental data and tools produced by the program will assist governments, industry, landowners and the community to help inform decision making and enhance the coordinated management of potential impacts. The Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy. The Department of the Environment and Energy, Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia are collaborating to undertake geological and bioregional assessments. For more information, visit http://www.bioregionalassessments.gov.au. Department of the Environment and Energy The Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy is strengthening the regulation of unconventional gas and large coal mining development by ensuring that future decisions are informed by substantially improved science and independent expert advice about the potential environmental impacts of those developments. For more information, visit https://www.environment.gov.au. Bureau of Meteorology The Bureau of Meteorology is Australia’s national weather, climate and water agency. Under the Water Act 2007, the Bureau is responsible for compiling and disseminating Australia's water information. The Bureau is committed to increasing access to water information to support informed decision making about the management of water resources. For more information, visit http://www.bom.gov.au/water/. CSIRO Australia is founding its future on science and innovation. Its national science agency, CSIRO, is a powerhouse of ideas, technologies and skills for building prosperity, growth, health and sustainability. It serves governments, industries, business and communities across the nation. For more information, visit http://www.csiro.au. Geoscience Australia Geoscience Australia is Australia’s national geoscience agency and exists to apply geoscience to Australia’s most important challenges. Geoscience Australia provides geoscientific advice and information to the Australian Government to support current priorities. These include contributing to responsible resource development; cleaner and low emission energy technologies; community safety; and improving marine planning and protection. The outcome of Geoscience Australia’s work is an enhanced potential for the Australian community to obtain economic, social and environmental benefits through the application of first-class research and information. For more information, visit http://www.ga.gov.au. ISBN-PDF 987-1-921069-30-7 Citation Buchanan S, Dixon-Jain P, Martinez J, Raiber M, Kumar PR, Woods M, Arnold D, Dehelean A and Skeers N (2020) Hydrogeology and groundwater systems of the Isa GBA region. Technical appendix for the Geological and Bioregional Assessment: Stage 2. Department of the Environment and Energy, Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia, Australia. On 1 February 2020 the Department of the Environment and Energy and the Department of Agriculture merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Work for this document was carried out under the then Department of the Environment and Energy. Therefore, references to both departments are retained in this report. Copyright © Commonwealth of Australia 2020 With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and where otherwise noted, all material in this publication is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia Licence https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Bioregional Assessment Programme requests attribution as ‘© Commonwealth of Australia (Bioregional Assessment Programme http://www.bioregionalassessments.gov.au)’. Disclaimer The information contained in this report is based on the best available information at the time of publication. The reader is advised that such information may be incomplete or unable to be used in any specific situation. Therefore decisions should not be made based solely on this information or without seeking prior expert professional, scientific and technical advice. The Geological and Bioregional Assessment Program is committed to providing web accessible content wherever possible. If you are having difficulties with accessing this document please contact [email protected]. Cover photograph The Burketown Bore, drilled in 1897 by the Queensland Government, is a naturally flowing bore that taps the artesian Gilbert River Formation aquifer at a depth of about 700 m below surface. Groundwater within this aquifer naturally contains a variety of dissolved chemical compounds that have deposited around the bore as the hot water (around 68 °C) has evaporated over the years, leading to the formation of a distinctive multi-coloured mound. Credit: Steven Lewis, Geoscience Australia, July 2018 Element: GBA-ISA-2-264 v20200228 Executive summary This technical appendix focuses on the hydrogeology and groundwater systems of the Isa GBA region in north-west Queensland. This region includes part of the Isa Superbasin, a Paleoproterozoic to earliest Mesoproterozoic superbasin of the North Australian Craton. The Isa GBA region is in the Northern Lawn Hill Platform, an area where petroleum exploration (for both conventional and unconventional resources) has previously occurred. The Isa GBA region is host to two groundwater systems that are potentially connected: 1. groundwater associated with the Proterozoic rock units of the Isa Superbasin and South Nicholson Basin – typically the deeper groundwater system in the region 2. groundwater associated with the overlying Jurassic to Cretaceous Carpentaria Basin (part of the Great Artesian Basin or GAB) and Karumba Basin. The supersequences of the Isa Superbasin and South Nicholson Basin rocks extend from outcrop in the west of the Isa GBA region and dip southwards to depths of over 9 km. These older basin sequences are overlain by younger sediments of the Mesozoic Carpentaria and Cenozoic Karumba basins in central and eastern parts of the region. The Proterozoic units of the Isa Superbasin and South Nicholson Basin are generally highly lithified fine-grained rocks, typically with aquitard properties, and include the prospective shale gas plays of the Lawn and River supersequences. Groundwater exploration of these units has been limited; however, some of the carbonate-dominated lithofacies, particularly the Lady Loretta Formation (Loretta Supersequence) and to a lesser degree the Paradise Creek Formation and Esperanza Formation, exhibit aquifer properties, potentially under artesian pressure. The Carpentaria Basin (GAB) overlies the Proterozoic units and covers most of the assessment area. The basin consists of a variably confined groundwater system comprising a multi- layered complex of aquifers of variable character within predominantly continental sandstones. Within the assessment area are two regionally recognised aquifers of the GAB: 1. The Gilbert River Formation and underlying basal Jurassic to Cretaceous aquifer system of the Eulo Queen Group 2. The Late Cretaceous Normanton Formation aquifer. These two groundwater systems are separated by the Rolling Downs Group aquitard, which forms a substantial low-permeability zone that is up to about 500 m thick in eastern parts of the region. Overlying the Carpentaria Basin is the Cenozoic Karumba Basin, a thin (typically less than 50 m thick in the region) sedimentary basin hosting a series of partial aquifers and leaky aquitards. The aquifers of the Carpentaria and Karumba basins are more widely utilised than the Proterozoic groundwater systems in the region. Of the 190 registered groundwater bores within the assessment area for this study, 152 are in the Carpentaria and Karumba basins, providing the shallowest and most economically important groundwater resources. The Hydrogeology and groundwater systems of the Isa GBA region | i remaining 38 bores (all in the west of the region) access groundwater from the Proterozoic rock units of the Isa Superbasin and South Nicholson Basin. The regional watertable aquifer, which lies in the Karumba Basin across most of the region, flows to the north-east towards the Gulf of Carpentaria. Groundwater in the confined Gilbert River Formation aquifer is typically under artesian pressure and the direction of groundwater flow is uncertain. The groundwater flow direction in the Proterozoic units has not been established due to the lack of available water level data and the potential influence of major fault structures in compartmentalising groundwater flow systems. Groundwater within all of the aquifers in the region is of low to moderate salinity, with median total dissolved solid (TDS) concentrations typically of 600 to 1400 mg/L. The potential exists for intra-basin groundwater connectivity throughout the region, both within the Proterozoic units of the Isa Superbasin and South Nicholson Basin as well as the overlying Carpentaria and Karumba basins. In addition, five hydrological connectivity pathways that can potentially link shale gas reservoirs to overlying aquifers or near-surface environmental and economic
Recommended publications
  • Regolith-Landform Evolution on Cape York Peninsula
    REGOLITH-LANDFORM EVOLUTION ON CAPE YORK PENINSULA REGOLITH-LANDFORM EVOLUTION ON CAPE YORK PENINSULA: IMPLICATIONS FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION C F PAIN 1, J R WILFORD 1 AND J C DOHRENWEND2 1 Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape Evolution and Mineral Exploration, c/- Australian Geological Survey Organisation, PO Box 378, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia 25755 East River Road #3207, Tucson, AZ 85750, USA A number of landform features on Cape York Peninsula (CYP) contain important clues for the development of landforms and regolith in the area The Great Escarpment, up to 200 m high, separates old landforms and regolith on the westem side from younger landforms and regolith on the eastem side West of the Great Escarpment there are smaller less continuous scarps which also form important boundaries between different regolith types There is clear eVidence for superimposed drainage, river capture and reversal, and inversion of relief on CYP Formation of the Carpentaria and Laura Basins during Middle to Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous time covered the Palaeozoic and Proterozoic rocks of the Coen Inlier with coarse terrestrial to fine marine sediment The uplift and emergence of these basin sediments in the Late Cretaceous marks the beginning of the latest stage of landform and regolith evolution on CYP The sediments probably covered most, if not all, of the Coen Inlier, and post-Mesozoic erosion subsequently uncovered the basement to form the Inlier Substantial erosion and surface lowering in the area followed emergence at the end of the Cretaceous,
    [Show full text]
  • John Hillier HYDROGEOLOGY Great Artesian Basin /Galilee Basin
    HYDROGEOLOGY Great Artesian Basin /Galilee Basin Presented by John Hillier Acknowledgement Part of this presentation includes some of the findings of a report commissioned by members of the Galilee Basin Operators Forum (GBOF). The report was compiled by RPS Australia East Pty Ltd. Some Maps and Figures form their report have been used in this presentation. Location of GAB & Galilee Basins The Galilee Basin partly underlies the Great Artesian Basin Both were deposited on a very uneven surface STRATIGRAPHY AGE BASIN FORMATION ROLLING DOWNS GROUP (e.g. Winton Formation, Wallumbilla Formation, etc) CRETACEOUS CADNA-OWIE FORMATION (66 – 145 Myr) EROMANGA HOORAY SANDSTONE (GREAT ARTESIAN WESTBOURNE FORMATION BASIN) ADORI SANDSTONE JURASSIC BIRKHEAD FORMATION (145 – 200 Myr) HUTTON SANDSTONE GALILEE MOOLAYEMBER FORMATION TRIASSIC (GREAT ARTESIAN CLEMATIS SANDSTONE (200 – 253 Myr) BASIN) REWAN FORMATION (includes Dundas Beds) BETTS CREEK BEDS (Includes Bandanna PERMIAN Formation and Colinlea Sandstone) GALILEE (253 – 299 Myr) JOE JOE FORMATION (Includes Aramac Coal Measures) GAB - Surface Geology Eastern Area Outcrop Galilee Basin Coal Coal is mainly in the Colinlea Sandstone and the overlying Bandana Formation Near outcrop, where it is to be mined for coal, the coal seams range up to 8m in thickness Seam thicknesses vary considerable throughout the Basin How does the GAB operate •Water is stored in sandstone aquifers •Recharge is from rainfall that enters the aquifers where they outcrop at the surface •Groundwater movement in the GAB
    [Show full text]
  • From the Early Cretaceous Wonthaggi Formation (Strzelecki Group)
    Journal of Paleontology, 93(3), 2019, p. 543–584 Copyright © 2019, The Paleontological Society. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 0022-3360/19/1937-2337 doi: 10.1017/jpa.2018.95 New small-bodied ornithopods (Dinosauria, Neornithischia) from the Early Cretaceous Wonthaggi Formation (Strzelecki Group) of the Australian-Antarctic rift system, with revision of Qantassaurus intrepidus Rich and Vickers-Rich, 1999 Matthew C. Herne,1,2 Jay P. Nair,2 Alistair R. Evans,3 and Alan M. Tait4 1School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale 2351, New South Wales, Australia <ornithomatt@ gmail.com> 2School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia <[email protected]> 3School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia <[email protected]> 4School of Earth, Atmosphere & Environment, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia <[email protected]> Abstract.—The Flat Rocks locality in the Wonthaggi Formation (Strzelecki Group) of the Gippsland Basin, southeastern Australia, hosts fossils of a late Barremian vertebrate fauna that inhabited the ancient rift between Australia and Antarc- tica. Known from its dentary, Qantassaurus intrepidus Rich and Vickers-Rich, 1999 has been the only dinosaur named from this locality. However, the plethora of vertebrate fossils collected from Flat Rocks suggests that further dinosaurs await discovery. From this locality, we name a new small-bodied ornithopod, Galleonosaurus dorisae n.
    [Show full text]
  • Poropat Et Al 2017 Reappraisal Of
    Alcheringa For Peer Review Only Reappraisal of Austro saurus mckillopi Longman, 1933 from the Allaru Mudstone of Queensland, Australia’s first named Cretaceous sauropod dinosaur Journal: Alcheringa Manuscript ID TALC-2017-0017.R1 Manuscript Type: Standard Research Article Date Submitted by the Author: n/a Complete List of Authors: Poropat, Stephen; Swinburne University of Technology, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology; Australian Age of Dinosaurs Natural History Museum Nair, Jay; University of Queensland, Biological Sciences Syme, Caitlin; University of Queensland, Biological Sciences Mannion, Philip D.; Imperial College London, Earth Science and Engineering Upchurch, Paul; University College London, Earth Sciences, Hocknull, Scott; Queensland Museum, Geosciences Cook, Alex; Queensland Museum, Palaeontology & Geology Tischler, Travis; Australian Age of Dinosaurs Natural History Museum Holland, Timothy; Kronosaurus Korner <i>Austrosaurus</i>, Dinosauria, Sauropoda, Titanosauriformes, Keywords: Australia, Cretaceous, Gondwana URL: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/talc E-mail: [email protected] Page 1 of 126 Alcheringa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 8 9 1 Reappraisal of Austrosaurus mckillopi Longman, 1933 from the 10 11 12 2 Allaru Mudstone of Queensland, Australia’s first named 13 14 For Peer Review Only 15 3 Cretaceous sauropod dinosaur 16 17 18 4 19 20 5 STEPHEN F. POROPAT, JAY P. NAIR, CAITLIN E. SYME, PHILIP D. MANNION, 21 22 6 PAUL UPCHURCH, SCOTT A. HOCKNULL, ALEX G. COOK, TRAVIS R. TISCHLER 23 24 7 and TIMOTHY HOLLAND 25 26 27 8 28 29 9 POROPAT , S. F., NAIR , J. P., SYME , C. E., MANNION , P. D., UPCHURCH , P., HOCKNULL , S. A., 30 31 10 COOK , A. G., TISCHLER , T.R.
    [Show full text]
  • Epm 16511 Brodies Lookout
    Investigator Resources Limited: Surrender and Final Report EPM 16511 “Brodies Lookout” Investigator Resources Limited Suite 48, Level 3, Benson House 2 Benson Street, Toowong, Qld 4066 Tel: +61 (0)7 3870 0357 Fax: +61 (0)7 3876 0351 Email: [email protected] web: www.investres.com.au EPM 16511 BRODIES LOOKOUT SURRENDER AND FINAL REPORT for period 27 April 2009 to 26 April 2011 D G Jones and B R Willott Investigator Resources Limited 6 September 2011 Page | 1 Investigator Resources Limited: Surrender and Final Report EPM 16511 “Brodies Lookout” 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3. SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 4. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 5 4.1. TENURE ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 4.2. LOCATION ................................................................................................................................................... 6 4.3. LOCAL ACCESS ........................................................................................................................................... 7 4.4. EXPLORATION RATIONALE ......................................................................................................................... 8 4.5. PROGRAM UNDERTAKEN
    [Show full text]
  • Geology and Mineral Resources of the Northern Territory
    Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory Ahmad M and Munson TJ (compilers) Northern Territory Geological Survey Special Publication 5 Chapter 41: Eromanga Basin BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: Munson TJ, 2013. Chapter 41: Eromanga Basin: in Ahmad M and Munson TJ (compilers). ‘Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory’. Northern Territory Geological Survey, Special Publication 5. Disclaimer While all care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this publication is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of its information. The Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this publication, or that it is suitable for your intended use. You should not rely upon information in this publication for the purpose of making any serious business or investment decisions without obtaining independent and/or professional advice in relation to your particular situation. The Northern Territory of Australia disclaims any liability or responsibility or duty of care towards any person for loss or damage caused by any use of, or reliance on the information contained in this publication. Eromanga Basin Current as of May 2012 Chapter 41: EROMANGA BASIN TJ Munson INTRODUCTION geology and regolith). However, the southwestern margins of the basin are exposed in SA and the northeastern part of The ௘Cambrian±"Devonian Warburton Basin, the basin in central Qld is also exposed and has been eroding Carboniferous±Triassic 3edirNa Basin and Jurassic± since the Late Cretaceous.
    [Show full text]
  • Land Zones of Queensland
    P.R. Wilson and P.M. Taylor§, Queensland Herbarium, Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts. © The State of Queensland (Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts) 2012. Copyright inquiries should be addressed to <[email protected]> or the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, 111 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000. Disclaimer This document has been prepared with all due diligence and care, based on the best available information at the time of publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within this document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. Information contained in this document is from a number of sources and, as such, does not necessarily represent government or departmental policy. If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Library Services on +61 7 3224 8412. This publication can be made available in an alternative format (e.g. large print or audiotape) on request for people with vision impairment; phone +61 7 3224 8412 or email <[email protected]>. ISBN: 978-1-920928-21-6 Citation This work may be cited as: Wilson, P.R. and Taylor, P.M. (2012) Land Zones of Queensland. Queensland Herbarium, Queensland Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Brisbane. 79 pp. Front Cover: Design by Will Smith Images – clockwise from top left: ancient sandstone formation in the Lawn Hill area of the North West Highlands bioregion – land zone 10 (D.
    [Show full text]
  • Context Statement for the Central West Subregion, PDF, 14.08 MB
    1 Context statement for the Central West subregion Product 1.1 for the Northern Inland Catchments Bioregional Assessment 29 August 2014 A scientific collaboration between the Department of the Environment, Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia The Bioregional Assessment Programme The Bioregional Assessment Programme is a transparent and accessible programme of baseline assessments that increase the available science for decision making associated with coal seam gas and large coal mines. A bioregional assessment is a scientific analysis of the ecology, hydrology, geology and hydrogeology of a bioregion with explicit assessment of the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of coal seam gas and large coal mining development on water resources. This Programme draws on the best available scientific information and knowledge from many sources, including government, industry and regional communities, to produce bioregional assessments that are independent, scientifically robust, and relevant and meaningful at a regional scale. The Programme is funded by the Australian Government Department of the Environment. The Department of the Environment, Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia are collaborating to undertake bioregional assessments. For more information, visit <http://www.bioregionalassessments.gov.au>. Department of the Environment The Office of Water Science, within the Australian Government Department of the Environment, is strengthening the regulation of coal seam gas and large coal mining development by ensuring that future decisions are informed by substantially improved science and independent expert advice about the potential water related impacts of those developments. For more information, visit <http://www.environment.gov.au/coal-seam-gas-mining/>. Bureau of Meteorology The Bureau of Meteorology is Australia’s national weather, climate and water agency.
    [Show full text]
  • Combined Analysis of Different Logs in Quantification of Exhumation and Its Implications for Hydrocarbon Exploration, a Case Study from Australia
    Geologica Acta, Vol.4, Nº 3, 2006, 355-370 Available online at www.geologica-acta.com Combined analysis of different logs in quantification of exhumation and its implications for hydrocarbon exploration, a case study from Australia A. MAVROMATIDIS Petroleum Development LLC P.O. Box 81, Muscat, 113 Oman. E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT Exhumation in the Eromanga Basin of South Australia and Queensland has been quantified using the com- paction methodology. The standard method of estimating exhumation using the sonic log has been modified and the adjusted sonic, the bulk density and neutron logs, have been used to estimate exhumation. Additionally the use of a single shale has not been adopted, and seven units, ranging in age from Cretaceous to Jurassic have been analysed. All units yield similar results; and burial at depth greater than currently observed is the most likely cause of overcompaction. The use of the adjusted sonic, bulk and neutron logs have been justified. This study has major implications for hydrocarbon exploration since predicted maturation of source rocks will be greater for any given geothermal history if exhumation is incorporated in maturation modelling. KEYWORDS Eromanga basin. Compaction. Adjusted sonic log. Density log. Neutron log. Source rock maturity. INTRODUCTION in the Eromanga Basin, using the adjusted sonic log, the bulk density and the neutron log from 195 The Eromanga Basin of South Australia and Queens- released wells and compare the results with compac- land is not at its maximum burial-depth due to Late Creta- tion studies using the sonic log (Mavromatidis and ceous - Tertiary exhumation.
    [Show full text]
  • A Hydrogeological and Ecological Characterisation of Springs Near Lake Blanche, Lake Eyre Basin, South Australia
    LAKE EYRE BASIN SPRINGS ASSESSMENT PROJECT A HYDROGEOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF SPRINGS NEAR LAKE BLANCHE, LAKE EYRE BASIN, SOUTH AUSTRALIA DEWNR TECHNICAL REPORT 2016/03 Funding for these projects has been provided by the Australian Government through the Bioregional Assessment Programme. A hydrogeological and ecological characterisation of springs near Lake Blanche, Lake Eyre Basin, South Australia Mark Keppel1, Travis Gotch1, Kent Inverarity1, Darren Niejalke2 and Daniel Wohling1 1Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources 2Yacca Environmental April 2016 DEWNR Technical report 2016/03 Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA 5001 Telephone National (08) 8463 6946 International +61 8 8463 6946 Fax National (08) 8463 6999 International +61 8 8463 6999 Website www.environment.sa.gov.au Disclaimer The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and its employees do not warrant or make any representation regarding the use, or results of the use, of the information contained herein as regards to its correctness, accuracy, reliability, currency or otherwise. The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and its employees expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility to any person using the information or advice. Information contained in this document is correct at the time of writing. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. ISBN 978-1-925369-34-2 Preferred way to cite this publication Keppel M, Gotch T, Inverarity K, Niejalke D and Wohling D, 2016, A hydrogeological and ecological characterisation of springs near Lake Blanche, Lake Eyre Basin, South Australia, DEWNR Technical report 2016/03, Government of South Australia, through the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Adelaide Download this document at www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydrochemistry Highlights Potential Management Issues for Aquifers and Springs in the Lake Blanche and Lake Callabonna Region, South Australia
    Hydrochemistry Highlights Potential Management Issues for Aquifers and Springs in the Lake Blanche and Lake Callabonna Region, South Australia Mark Keppel1, Daniel Wohling2, Andrew Love3, and Travis Gotch1 Abstract A hydrochemistry-based study has highlighted potential management implications for selected aquifers and springs located within the Lake Blanche and Lake Callabonna region in the far north of South Australia. The interpretation of hydrochemical and environmental tracers from 14 springs and 17 water wells, as well as historically available data, were used to establish five hydrochemical-based aquifer types for the region: 1. Fractured rock crystalline basement aquifer. 2. Patchawarra Formation (Cooper Basin) aquifer. 3. J-K aquifer (Algebuckina Sandstone, Cadna-owie Formation and lateral equivalents) of the Great Artesian Basin. 4. A sandstone unit or units interpreted to occur within the Neocretaceous Rolling Downs Group, which is informally termed the ‘Rolling Downs Group sandstone (RDGS) aquifer’. 5. Cenozoic aquifer. Two key findings from this study have potential implications for ongoing resource management. First, artesian groundwater conditions were identified for the first time within sandstones found within the Neocretaceous confining layer (the RDGS aquifer). Although the exact stratigraphic nomenclature of this sandstone unit is not yet confirmed, groundwater sourced from this unit is currently being used for stock. Second, the RDGS aquifer may contribute to spring flow at Lake Blanche and Lake Callabonna. Similarly, the fractured rock aquifer may be a source of water for the Petermorra Springs complex. Beyond certain results from these three spring complexes, the majority of hydrochemical and environmental tracer analyses infer that the J-K aquifer is the primary source aquifer supporting spring flow.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydrogeology of the Cooper GBA Region. Technical Appendix for the Geological and Bioregional Assessment Program: Stage 2
    Hydrogeology of the Cooper GBA region Technical appendix for the Geological and Bioregional Assessment: Stage 2 2020 A scientific collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia The Geological and Bioregional Assessment Program The Geological and Bioregional Assessment Program will provide independent scientific advice on the potential impacts from development of selected unconventional hydrocarbon plays on water and the environment. The geological and environmental data and tools produced by the Program will assist governments, industry, landowners and the community to help inform decision making and enhance the coordinated management of potential impacts. The Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy. The Department of the Environment and Energy, Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia are collaborating to undertake geological and bioregional assessments. For more information, visit http://www.bioregionalassessments.gov.au. Department of the Environment and Energy The Department designs and implements Australian Government policy and programs to protect and conserve the environment, water and heritage, promote climate action, and provide adequate, reliable and affordable energy. For more information visit http://www.environment.gov.au. Bureau of Meteorology The Bureau of Meteorology is Australia’s national weather, climate and water agency. Under the Water Act 2007, the Bureau is responsible for compiling and disseminating Australia's water information. The Bureau is committed to increasing access to water information to support informed decision making about the management of water resources. For more information, visit http://www.bom.gov.au/water/. CSIRO Australia is founding its future on science and innovation.
    [Show full text]