The Chalk Aquifer System of Lincolnshire
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Chalk Aquifer of Lincolnshire_REP_AJHIL.qxp 15/03/2006 17:25 Page a The Chalk aquifer system of Lincolnshire Research Report RR/06/03 Chalk Aquifer of Lincolnshire_REP_AJHIL.qxp 05/03/2006 13:39 Page b Chalk Aquifer of Lincolnshire_REP_AJHIL.qxp 05/03/2006 13:39 Page c BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY RESEARCH REPORT RR/06/03 The Chalk aquifer system of Lincolnshire E J Whitehead and A R Lawrence The National Grid and other Ordnance Survey data are used with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Contributors Stationery Office. Licence No: 100017897/2006. J P Bloomfield, P J McConvey, J E Cunningham, M G Sumbler (BGS), D Watling, M Hutchinson (Environment Agency) Keywords Hydrogeology, Chalk, Lincolnshire, hydrochemistry, Spilsby Sandstone, groundwater management Front cover The view from the Lincolnshire Wolds towards the Lincolnshire Marsh. Bibliographical reference WHITEHEAD, E J, and LAWRENCE, A R. 2006. The Chalk aquifer system of Lincolnshire. British Geological Survey Research Report, RR/06/03. 70pp. ISBN 0 85272 522 1 Copyright in materials derived from the British Geological Survey’s work is owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and/or the authority that commissioned the work. You may not copy or adapt this publication without first obtaining permission. Contact the BGS Intellectual Property Rights Section, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, e-mail [email protected]. You may quote extracts of a reasonable length without prior permission, provided a full acknowledgement is given of the source of the extract. Maps and diagrams in this book use topography based on Ordnance Survey mapping. Some features of figures 1.1 to 1.6 are based on spatial data licensed from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. © NERC 2006. All rights reserved. Keyworth, Nottingham British Geological Survey 2006 Chalk Aquifer of Lincolnshire_REP_AJHIL.qxp 05/03/2006 13:39 Page ii BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY British Geological Survey offices The full range of Survey publications is available from the BGS Sales Desks at Nottingham, Edinburgh and London; see contact Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG details below or shop online at www.geologyshop.com ຜ 0115–936 3100 Fax 0115–936 3200 e-mail: sales @bgs.ac.uk The London Information Office also maintains a reference www.bgs.ac.uk collection of BGS publications including maps for consultation. 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Forde House, Park Five Business Centre, Harrier Way, Sowton, Exeter, Devon EX2 7HU The British Geological Survey is a component body of the ຜ 01392–445271 Fax 01392–445371 Natural Environment Research Council. Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Colby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast BT9 5BF ຜ 028–9038 8462 Fax 028–9038 8461 Maclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB ຜ 01491–838800 Fax 01491–692345 Columbus House, Greenmeadow Springs, Tongwynlais, Cardiff, CF15 7NE ຜ 029–2052 1962 Fax 029–2052 1963 Parent Body Natural Environment Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 1EU ຜ 01793–411500 Fax 01793–411501 Chalk Aquifer of Lincolnshire_REP_AJHIL.qxp 05/03/2006 13:39 Page iii Preface This study, which was largely a review of previous work, information. An interdisciplinary approach has been taken, was undertaken as part of the National Groundwater where our understanding of the geology and recent Survey (NGS), which aims to meet identified needs for the geological processes have been integrated with our comprehensive description of the major British aquifers knowledge of the groundwater flow system, water chemistry and their groundwater resources. This includes the and residence times. Understanding the fundamental characterisation of the physical and chemical properties geological, physical and chemical processes that have led to and processes that govern groundwater flow and pollutant the development of the aquifer enables us to predict the transport and attenuation, in both the unsaturated and distribution of aquifer properties more accurately. In turn, saturated zones. The NGS commenced with a study of the this improves predictions of the response of the groundwater Chalk aquifer, divided into eight regions. Completed systems to external changes such as increased abstraction or studies are listed in the back of this report. reduced rainfall. Although much work has been undertaken on the The NGS brings together hydrogeologists with a diversity Lincolnshire Chalk aquifer system, there is a need for of interests and roles, mapping geologists, structural current knowledge to be brought together into a convenient geologists and hydrogeochemists. This report reflects this format in the public domain. This study aims to compile multidisciplinary approach so that the Lincolnshire Chalk available hydrogeological information and provide a aquifer is portrayed as a dynamic and renewable resource summary of this information in report form, and that is managed to meet the demands of users and the furthermore to produce improved conceptual models of the environment. aquifer system. This report is intended as a source of The British Geological Survey has collaborated with the reference that will benefit and interest researchers, students Environment Agency–Anglian Region, Anglian Water and those in the water industry (suppliers, regulators and Services plc, and the University of Birmingham. An Advisory consultants) as well as the general public. Panel involving members of the above organisations ensured To meet the objectives of the study it has been necessary that the work was relevant to them, as well as contributing to go beyond a straightforward review of existing much valuable information and acting as reviewers. iii Chalk Aquifer of Lincolnshire_REP_AJHIL.qxp 05/03/2006 13:39 Page iv Acknowledgements The authors are indebted to the valuable contributions of Prof J Lloyd and Prof K Rushton, formerly of the University of Birmingham. The helpful comments of Dr N S Robins (BGS) who reviewed this report were much appreciated. The authors acknowledge the contributions of the following people: D W Peach, I N Gale and D K Buckley (BGS); B Morgan-Jones and D Burgess (Environment Agency); and M Cook (Anglian Water Services). iv Chalk Aquifer of Lincolnshire_REP_AJHIL.qxp 05/03/2006 13:39 Page v Contents Preface iii 2.4 Comparison of single point resistance logs at Executive summary vii Killingholme and Fulstow Cross Roads, a distance of 26 km apart (Barker et al., 1984) 13 1 Introduction 1 2.5 Simplified map of superficial deposits (1:50 000) 14 1.1 Topography 2 2.6 Distribution of sands and gravels 15 1.2 Drainage 3 2.7 Diagram showing inferred maximum extent of ice 1.3 Climate 3 sheets (after Boulton, 1992) 16 1.4 Land use and demography 3 2.8 Sequence of Quaternary events in Lincolnshire 18 1.5 Water usage and the significance of 2.9 The limit of the Chalk outcrop, showing the Louth groundwater 4 Window and the isolated southern ‘block’ of Chalk 1.6 Previous work 5 (after University of Birmingham, 1982) 19 2 Geology and structure 7 2.10 Schematic diagram of the development of 2.1 Introduction 7 permeability in the Lincolnshire Chalk 20 2.2 Stratigraphical succession 8 3.1 Composite porosity log showing the relative 2.3 History of the Chalk and its development as an stratigraphical positions of the boreholes (Barker, aquifer 13 1994) 22 3.2 Flowmeter and caliper logs for North Killingholme 3 Hydrogeology 21 boreholes 23 3.1 Introduction 21 3.3 Schematic diagram showing the development of 3.2 Physical description of the Chalk aquifer 21 transmissivity around discharge zones (after Price, 3.3 Aquifer properties 22 1987) 24 3.4 The Spilsby Sandstone 26 3.4 Distribution of transmissivity in the Lincolnshire 3.5 The aquifer in the water cycle 26 Chalk (data from Allen et al., 1997) 25 3.6 Numerical and conceptual models of the aquifer 33 3.5 Distribution of storage coefficient in the Lincolnshire 4 Groundwater chemistry 37 Chalk (data from Allen et al., 1997) 27 4.1 Introduction 37 3.6 Hydrograph for site in unconfined Chalk of North 4.2 Regional hydrochemistry 37 Lincolnshire 29 4.3 Groundwater contamination 45 3.7 Hydrograph for site in confined Chalk of North 4.4 Summary 48 Lincolnshire 29 3.8 Hydrograph for site in confined Chalk of South 5 Management of the Lincolnshire Chalk aquifer Lincolnshire 29 system 49 3.9 Hydrograph for site in confined Spilsby Sandstone 29 5.1 Overview 49 3.10 Potentiometric contour map of the Chalk 30 5.2 The need for management 49 3.11 Chalk and Carstone hydrographs from Belleau 5.3 Management tools 51 and Burwell (University of Birmingham, 1982) 32 5.4 Groundwater protection and aquifer 3.12 Potentiometric contour