Hydrogeological Characterisation of Regional Faults and Dolerite Dykes in the Precambrian Basement and Karoo Supergroup (Tete Province, Mozambique)
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Hydrogeological characterisation of regional faults and dolerite dykes in the Precambrian Basement and Karoo Supergroup (Tete Province, Mozambique) Submitted as partial requirement for the degree M.Sc Hydrogeology Submitted to: Department of Geology School of Physical Sciences Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences University of Pretoria Submitted by: Raymond Clifford Minnaar 27007295 February 2019 DECLARATION: I, Raymond Clifford Minnaar, declare that the dissertation, which I hereby submit for the degree MSc at the University of Pretoria, is my own work and has not previously been submitted by me for a degree at this or any other tertiary institution. Full names: Raymond Clifford Minnaar Student number: 27007295 Date submitted: 11 February 2019 Degree: M.Sc. Hydrogeology Topic of work: Hydrogeological characterisation of regional faults and dolerite dykes in the Precambrian Basement and Karoo Supergroup (Tete Province, Mozambique) Supervisor: Dr. M.A. Dippenaar Co-supervisor: Prof. J.L. Van Rooy Signature: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their contribution and support to this dissertation: • Dr Matthys A Dippenaar from the University of Pretoria for mentorship and valuable input. • Mr Cornelius Roets for his support and valuable input during the fieldwork phase of the project. ii ABSTRACT: Faults and dolerite dykes within Basement- and Karoo-aquifers in northern Mozambique may increase groundwater occurrence but may also be barriers to groundwater flow. Should observation boreholes drilled into regional and local faults as well as dykes show a response to aquifer testing, it would be deduced that these hydrogeological discontinuities are not barriers to groundwater flow. The approach adopted for this study included a sequential process involving data acquisition through a hydrogeological fieldwork programme consisting of geophysical surveys, borehole drilling, aquifer testing, and groundwater level monitoring. The Zambezi Border and geological contact faults were characterised by high variability in hydraulic properties. Aquifer testing resulted in drawdown in observation boreholes as well as a reduction in piezometric surface in the installed vibrating wire piezometers located in different aquifer units, indicating the Zambezi Border- and geological contact-faults were not barriers to groundwater flow. Not all the northwest-southeast trending dykes acted as barriers to groundwater flow, as there were discreet intervals with relatively high permeability present. iii Table of Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Rationale ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Aim and objectives ......................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Scope and outline of the dissertation ...................................................................... 2 2 Literature ...................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Basement aquifers .......................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Karoo Supergroup aquifers ......................................................................................... 5 2.3 Secondary hydrogeological features and groundwater occurrence ............ 6 2.3.1 General ..................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3.2 Fracture flow ......................................................................................................................... 8 2.3.3 Matrix flow ............................................................................................................................. 8 2.3.4 Dykes......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.4 Weathering ......................................................................................................................11 3 Study Area .................................................................................................................. 13 3.1 Locality .............................................................................................................................13 3.2 Physiography and climate .........................................................................................13 3.3 Geology .............................................................................................................................14 3.3.1 Regional geology ............................................................................................................... 14 3.3.2 Local geology ...................................................................................................................... 16 4 methodology .............................................................................................................. 20 4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................20 4.2 Geophysical survey.......................................................................................................20 4.2.1 Geophysical survey and drilling site selection ..................................................... 20 4.2.2 ERT survey .......................................................................................................................... 21 4.2.3 Ground magnetic survey ................................................................................................ 23 4.3 Drilling ..............................................................................................................................25 4.3.1 Rotary-percussion air drilling ..................................................................................... 25 4.3.2 Inclined hydraulic-rotary core drilling .................................................................... 26 4.4 Aquifer properties and characterisation .............................................................27 4.4.1 Packer tests ......................................................................................................................... 27 4.4.2 Pumping tests ..................................................................................................................... 28 4.4.3 Pumping tests data analyses ........................................................................................ 28 iv 4.5 Vibrating wire piezometers ......................................................................................29 5 Data Acquisition ....................................................................................................... 31 5.1 Geophysical survey.......................................................................................................31 5.1.1 ERT survey .......................................................................................................................... 31 5.1.2 Ground magnetic survey ................................................................................................ 33 5.2 Drilling ..............................................................................................................................33 5.2.1 Rotary percussion air drilling ...................................................................................... 35 5.2.2 Inclined hydraulic-rotary core drilling .................................................................... 35 5.3 Aquifer testing ...............................................................................................................35 5.3.1 Packer tests ......................................................................................................................... 35 5.3.2 Pumping tests ..................................................................................................................... 36 5.4 Vibrating wire piezometers ......................................................................................37 6 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................. 38 6.1 Geophysical survey and proposed drilling targets ...........................................38 6.1.1 Profile T-1 ............................................................................................................................ 38 6.1.2 Profile T-2 ............................................................................................................................ 38 6.1.3 Profile T-3 ............................................................................................................................ 39 6.1.4 Profile T-4 ............................................................................................................................ 39 6.1.5 Profile T-5 ............................................................................................................................ 40 6.1.6 Profile T-6 ............................................................................................................................ 40 6.1.7 Profile T-7 ...........................................................................................................................