The Mt. Tom Price Mine, located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, has been the site of major iron ore mining since the 1960s by Rio Tinto Iron Ore/Pilbara Iron. The thesis project area covers approximately 121 km², covering the Mt. Tom Price Mining area and the surrounding catchment boundary. The climate in the Pilbara region is arid, with rainfall driven by seasonal cyclonic events, producing 300 mm/year net rainfall on average. The geology of the Mt. Tom Price area consists of a series of banded iron formations (BIF) and shales that are generally low in hydraulic conductivity values. Iron ore in the region is produced through the process of supergene enrichment whereby gangue minerals are dissolved and replaced with haematite and goethite. Mining is focused in a series of open cast pits including, North Deposit, West Pits, Centre Pits, Southern Ridge, South East Prongs, Section Six, Section Seven, and the proposed Marra Mamba Pits. Due to the impermeable nature and complex geology of the BIF sequence, groundwater flow is dominated by bedrock aquifer flow, with compartmentalization occurring in several areas of the mine. Highly faulted and folded units can also have increased hydraulic conductivity values. Pit floor lowering began to encounter the regional water table in early 1994. A series of dewatering bores and depressurization measurements have been utilized to ensure dry mining practice. This data was used to help understand regional groundwater flow and create the Mt. Tom Price Groundwater Model (MTPGM). A 3D geological model of the project area was created to aid visualisation of semi-regional hydrogeology. From this model, accurate template files were created so that geological detail loss is kept to a minimal when entering hydrogeological parameters into the MTPGM. The MTPGM was setup using PMWIN Pro, a graphical user interface for use with MODFLOW. Stresses such as recharge and pumping were entered via software packages within MODFLOW. The model was run to simulate measured 1994-2007 responses to dewatering and high rainfall events. A Parameter Estimation (PEST) software package and trial and error calibration was used to lower stress response variances that were observed in the model output files. This was achieved by the adjustment of hydrogeological parameters such as hydraulic conductivity and specific yield values. A prediction simulation of final pit lake recovery was created Using the calibrated MTPGM. Recovery curves predicted that full recovery of the water table of the pit voids varied from 96 to 120 years, recovering to levels close to the initial heads measured in 1994 before large-scale pumping commenced. The hydrochemistry of the groundwater in the mining area is highly influenced by geological hosts, with clearly defined hydrochemical signatures approximated for each screened geological unit. Due to the sulphur rich, acid- forming Mt. McRae Shale, regular monitoring of pit and groundwater is essential. Final pit lake water quality was estimated using final pit levels and recovery rates approximated from the MTPGM, combined with historical data and previous groundwater quality reports. Pit lake water quality is dominantly driven by evaporation concentration, caused by high evaporation rates and low throughflow. Pit waters are expected to be brine waters (greater than 100,000 mg/L TDS), with high levels of acidity values occurring in the South East Prongs and Section Six pits due to the exposure of the acid forming Mt. McRae Shale above the pit lakes at these localities. Future studies should focus on more detailed modelling of the compartmentalised aquifer systems. This would produce much more accurate final pit lake levels. Further study of the Mt. McRae Shale formation and its implications on acidity should also be undertaken. Seasonal fluctuations in lake levels will affect acidity due to the continual re-exposure and oxidation of the Mt. McRae Shale. This could be studied to help understand short term pit lake quality conditions and help to predict long term acidity conditions in the pit lakes.

The central induction TEM and CSAMT strengths and weaknesses were analyzed at the San Xavier geophysical test site. TEM results indicate that the depth of investigation of the TEM sounding data is limited by the noise level. CSAMT data are contaminated by static shift effects due to shallow geological inhomogeneities or topography. CSAMT data are also contaminated by the transmitter overprint which depends on the geology beneath the transmitter dipole and the receiving stations. In the Miami Wash-Pinal Creek area of Arizona, where the groundwater contamination was to be studied by electrical methods, the complex resistivity method was first used. Results in the Miami Wash-Pinal Creek area show a trend which consists of a high-low-high trend in the resistivity/I.P. curves for soundings located in the contaminated zone and of an increase of the I.P. curve in the uncontaminated zone.

<p>The focus of this work was to monitor and evaluate the hydrochemical characteristics of the groundwater in the Incomati Estuary for a period of one year. The aims of this work were to evaluate the groundwater chemistry data for any spatial and temporal variations and to evaluate the suitability of the groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes.</p>

A plume of process-affected groundwater was identified in a shallow sand aquifer adjacent to a tailings impoundment at Syncrude Canada Ltd. Quantitative and qualitative Naphthenic Acid (NA) analyses were performed on groundwater samples to investigate NA fate and transport properties in the subsurface. Analysis of dissolved organic and inorganic components was undertaken to identify, quantify and assess the mobility of other dissolved components of environmental significance. NAs at concentrations up to 87 mg/L were found to represent the major contributor to aquatic toxicity. Attenuation of NAs by biodegradation is not observed based on screening techniques developed to date. Retardation of NAs observed at the field scale, is consistent with weak sorption observed in the laboratory by other authors. Concentrations of ammonium approached 4 mg/L in the plume, however mobility is limited by cation exchange. Aromatics and trace metals are present in low quantities (i. e. <10 ??g/L) and are only detected in groundwater immediately adjacent to the toe of the tailings impoundment. Cl and Na are found at concentrations of up 282 and 579 mg/L respectively. Dissolved oxygen is typically < 1 mg/L within the plume, while redox indicators Mn(II), Fe(II) and methane are detected between <0. 1 - 2. 6, 0. 2 - 3. 5 and <0. 1 - 2. 1 mg/L respectively within the plume. Solid phase geochemistry, determined through solid phase extractions, was coupled with aqueous geochemistry and reactive transport modeling to identify the dominant geochemical processes occurring within the plume. Based on scenarios evaluated using reactive transport modeling, the most likely origin for the presently observed, weakly reducing conditions in the plume appears to be the presence of a small amount of disssolved, degradable organic carbon. The dominant terminal electron acceptors appear to be Fe(III) and Mn(III/IV) in the plume core and dissolved oxygen at the plume fringe. Dissolved Fe and Mn are observed to enter the domain at the upgradient boundary at maximal concentrations of 4. 2 and 0. 7 mg/L respectively. Trace metal geochemistry of the aquifer material was also assessed using solid phase extractions. The potential for trace metal release via reductive dissolution of the native geologic material is considered minimal in this case, based on the weakly reducing nature of the plume and a lack of excessive trace metal content in the aquifer material.

In the last few decades protection of the environment has moved to the forefront of earth science research. Sustainable development is becoming more important to rapidly growing communities throughout southern Ontario including the City of Waterloo which has adopted an ecosystem planning approach toward future urban expansion. The City of Waterloo is located in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo which relies mainly on local groundwater resources for its drinking water supply. The Waterloo West Side is a collective name for several new developments occurring at the western limit of the City of Waterloo. Development of the Waterloo West Side is encroaching on a potential regional groundwater recharge area. Recent studies have recommended that some of these developments will require artificial infiltration facilities to augment the reduction in infiltration rates at the post-development stage. For this study, the pre-development groundwater flow system was characterized using a three-dimensional finite element model (WATFLOW). The regional Waterloo Moraine Model (approximately 750 km2) was refined in the study area (approximately 25 km2) so as to include the regional-scale influence on the local-scale groundwater flow. In addition, to approximate the complex groundwater flow system, within the study area, modifications were made to the current conceptual model. Several existing techniques were utilized in the numerical approach including three-dimensional parameterization and automated calibration methods. Simulations were completed to steady-state therefore results are averaged on a yearly basis. The potential impact of urbanization on the groundwater flow system was investigated by modifying the surficial boundary condition to simulate post-development infiltration rates (increased runoff) in areas where development will occur. The impact to local surface water was investigated for each post-development scenario. In addition, the effect on the regional and local groundwater flow systems were compared for each scenario.

The Geropotamos aquifer on the north‐central coast of Crete, Greece, is invaded in some places by salt water from the Aegean Sea, with impact on freshwater supplies for domestic and business uses, including agriculture. The geological setting of the study area is considered complex, as Miocene biogenic limestones, marls, clays and conglomerates crop out in the central and the western part and clastic limestones and dolomites of the Tripolis and Plattenkalk nappe (the bedrock) in the eastern part of the study area. The phyllitequartzite nappe (which forms the oldest rock of the study area) lays on the northern part of Geropotamos basin. The local tectonic regime of the study area is characterized by faults of NW‐SE and NE‐SW directions. Investigation of the aquifer using Transient ElectroMagnetic method (TEM) and Vertical Electrical Resistivity (VES) measurement technique has resulted in 1D models and 2D/3D imaging of geoelectric structures, depicting the zones of salination of groundwater in the aquifer. 1179 TEM soundings in 372 sites have been carried out in a detailed survey grid (about 200m in X and Y dimension) and 3 VES soundings were acquired in three different sites (different geological conditions). For the 2 of them, multidirectional measurements were also acquired since the structure is more complex than a 1D model that VES technique is able to model. Moreover, 3 water samplings carried out. At each sampling, samples from 22 boreholes and 2 springs were analysed and 16 chemical parameters were determined. Detailed geochemical analysis, including Piper, Durov, Ternary, Stiff, Wilcox, Dispersion diagrams and Factors controlling the groundwater quality, was accomplished showing very good results and the relationship with the geophysical methods. All data were inserted in GIS environment and Groundwater Quality Maps were produced. Furthermore, Remote Sensing application, geological mapping and hydro‐lithological data showed that the physical characteristics of geomorphology and geology are in great relationship with the chemical and geophysical properties as well. Suggestions that Miocene evaporites led to groundwater salination are unconfirmed, and seawater intrusion is the most probable cause, supported by the results of this research. It is indicated that saline intrusion is likely to occur along fractures in a fault zone through otherwise low‐permeability phyllite‐quartzite bedrock, and it is emphasized the critical role of fracture pathways in salination problems of coastal aquifers.

L'impact des eaux souterraines sur le bilan d'eau en surface et sur le climat a récemment fait l'objet de plusieurs études. Dans cette thèse, un schéma d'aquifère simplifiée à été développé dans le système hydrologique continental ISBA-TRIP utilisé au CNRM et évalué sur la France et à l'échelle globale. D'abord implémenté dans le modèle de routage TRIP, ce schéma a permis d'améliorer la comparaison entre les débits simulés et observés. La bonne comparaison des stocks d'eau simulées avec les estimations du satellite GRACE a en outre confirmé la cohérence des nappes d'eau simulées. Le principal effet des aquifères est d'introduire un temps de résidence qui décale et lisse les variables hydrologiques simulées. L'introduction des remontées capillaires de la nappe vers le sol d'ISBA a nécessité l'utilisation de la version explicite et multi-couche du schéma de sol d'ISBA. Son évaluation sur la France et à l'échelle globale a démontré l'intérêt d'une représentation plus physique des processus hydrologiques du sol en améliorant significativement les débits et stocks d'eau simulés. Le principal effet des remontées capillaires est d'augmenter l'évapotranspiration en période sèche. Cette évaluation révèle cependant un manque de dynamisme tendant à sous-estimer les débits moyens annuels et à augmenter la sensibilité d'ISBA à la résolution. Il reste en outre de nombreuses incertitudes. Certaines paramétrisations sont discutables et nécessiteraient sans doute d'être améliorées ou corrigées. L'objectif ultime de ces travaux sera l'introduction du système complet ISBA-TRIP dans le modèle de climat du CNRM afin d'évaluer l'impact des aquifères sur la simulation du climat récent et futur. / The impact of groundwater on surface water budget and climate has recently received increasing attention. In this thesis, a simple groundwater scheme is developed in the continental hydrological system ISBA-TRIP used at Météo France, and evaluated over France and at global scale. This scheme has been first introduced in the TRIP river routing model. It improves the comparison between observed and simulated river discharges. The good comparison between simulated terrestrial water storage and estimates of the GRACE satellite mission confirms the coherence of the simulated water table heads. The main effect of groundwater is to introduce a time lag which shifts and smooths the simulated hydrological variables. The introduction of the capillary rises from the water table to the soil requires the use of the explicit multi-layer scheme soil of ISBA. His evaluation over France demonstrates the relevance of a more physically-based representation of the soil hydrological processes by improving the simulated river discharges and terrestrial water storages. The main effect of capillary rises is to increase the evapotranspiration during dry periods. However, this evaluation point out a lack of dynamism which leads to underestimate the mean annual river discharges and to increase the sensitivity to the resolution. Moreover, numerous uncertainties still remain. Some parameterizations are questionable and would require to be improved. The ultimate objective will be to introduce the fully-coupled ISBA-TRIP system into the CNRM global climate model in order to assess the relevance of groundwater processes for the simulation of both recent and future climates.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science school of Geosciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Hydrogeology. Johannesburg, June 2017. / The Masama Sandstone Aquifer is located in a semi-arid region of south-eastern Botswana where there are no perennial rivers. Groundwater is the main source of water supply for the communities. Historically many water drilling programs have been carried out in this area and the hydrogeological system has been conceptualized. An integrated approach coupling environmental isotopes, radioisotopes and multivariate statistical analysis of the hydrochemical variables was employed to study the origin, age, recharge conditions, rock-water interaction and the hydrological link between the aquifer and geological structures. The major ions in this area are Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and HCO-3. Groundwater in the Masama area fall in the transition from a Na-HCO-3 –type through Ca-Na-HCO-3 to Ca-Mg-HCO-3 -type waters from the western to the eastern part of the area. The water types are as a result of cation exchange, carbonate dissolution and rock-weathering processes. The δ18O and δ2H values vary spatially depending on the source of moisture, rainfall season, geology, topography and groundwater circulation depth. Deep circulating groundwaters are isotopically depleted whilst shallow circulating groundwaters are isotopically enriched with respect to winter rain. Low tritium values < 0.8TU and 14C values < 80pmc testifies for recharge. Recent rainfall amount in the area is not sufficient enough to make a profound replenishment in the aquifer. Tritium, 14C and Chloride Mass Balance helped in identifying recharge location and hydrologic connections between structures and the sandstone aquifer elucidating that recharge zones are in the NE and NW of the study area. High recharge rates occur in the north-eastern part and the Makhujwane fault act as a conduit for groundwater recharge. This study provides a better understanding of the aquifer and the information contained herein can be incorporated into future works for sustainable use of the groundwater resource. / XL2017

Thesis (M.Sc. (Hydrogeology))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Science, School of Geosciences, 2017. / Hartbeespoort Dam, the source of irrigation and potable water for the local community of Hartbeespoort area is a vulnerable water resource. The aim of this research was to evaluate the interaction between dam water and groundwater as well as characterise the hydrochemical data from metals and tritium. The former was done through the application of environmental isotopes and the implementation of a long term water balance, while the latter used hydrochemical data to define the spatial distribution of metals and tritium. The results indicated that the dam water is separated from the groundwater in winter. Two sources of mixing were recognized to have occurred downstream of the dam in 2015 but not in the Hartbeespoort dam area. These were identified as artificial through the runoff of agricultural water that was abstracted from the dam and through the pumping of water near the fault. Higher than normal tritium concentration indicated that contamination comes through the Crocodile River after the fault connecting the river to Pelindaba, the nuclear power generation plant south of Hartbeespoort Dam in the Broederstroom area. The Crocodile River showed that the contamination of water by lead, 22.11ppb in summer and 3.8 ppb in winter, and cadmium,2.2 ppb in winter. The Magalies River feeds the dam with copper. All metals accumulate at the dam wall and settles in the sediment, diluting the downstream water. Boreholes near the dam and spring along the fault are vulnerable to contamination. The water balance estimation resulted 18 345 472m3, with a 3.9% error, gain of water to the dam from the groundwater greater than the amount exiting the dam to through groundwater. The groundwater entering the dam is estimated to be 32 517 704m3. The groundwater exiting the dam is estimated at 14 172 232m3. The difference in groundwater showed a decrease of 10 000 000m3 over the 15 year period from 1st October 2000 until the 30th September 2015. Consequently, these results show an increased stress placed on the groundwater presumably due to an increase in groundwater abstraction from agriculture and the expanding mining area. / GR2018

Orientador: Paulo Milton Barbosa Landim / Banca: Antonio Roberto Saad / Banca: Antonio Celso de Oliveira Braga / Banca: Hélio Nóbile Diniz / Banca: Mario Lincoln de Carlos Etchebehere / Resumo: Este trabalho teve como propósito estudar a compartimentação morfoestrutural DO Triângulo Mineiro, apoiando-se em análises geomorfológicas e geológicas para fins hidrogeológicos. A metodologia adotada baseou-se na análise de drenagem, análise do relevo e na análise estrutural. A configuração morfoestrutural da região do Triângulo Mineiro é ditada principalmente pelo arranjo de lineamentos orientados segundo a direção NW-SE para a bacia do rio Paranaíba e segundo a direção EW e NS para a bacia do rio Grande, associadas à reativação de descontinuidades do pré- Cambriano durante o Terciário, configurando um mosaico de blocos. Na região foram reconhecidos oito compartimentos morfoestruturais, subdivididos internamente em sub-compartimentos. Essa compartimentação afeta toda a coluna litoestratigráfica, tanto do ponto de vista da distribuição em área, quanto de sua espessura. Neste quadro foram individualizadas as depressões de Gurinhatã, Comendador Gomes, Limeira D’Oeste entre outras, que apresentam maiores espessuras de sedimentos, sendo locais indicados para explotação do aqüífero Bauru. No entanto para o aqüífero Serra Geral, contemplou-se que os alinhamentos de direção NW-SE coincidem com os melhores dados de vazão. O período Terciário tem uma importância fundamental para a região, tanto na sedimentação da Formação Nova Ponte e depósitos correlatos, quanto no tectonismo deformador responsável pela configuração da paisagem atual. / Abstract: The aim of this work is to study morphostructural compartmentalization based on geomorphologic and geological analyses. The methodology used was based on analyses of drainage, relief and in the structural features in the Triângulo Mineiro region. The morphostructural configuration of the Paranaíba River basin in this region is controlled mainly by underlying NW-SE discontinuities in the Precambrian basement that were reactivated during the Tertiary. In the case of the Grande River basin, the basement structures reactivated in the Tertiary are oriented EW and NS. In the area, eight main morphostructural compartments were recognized, each of which can be subdivided into sub-compartments. These compartments affect the whole litostratigraphic column in terms of its areal distribution as well as its local thickness. This being the case, the Gurinhatã, Comendador Gomes and Limeira D’Oeste depressions developed, along with other smaller local thick sediment accumulations, which are suitable for local exploitation of the Bauru aquifer. In the Serra Geral aquifer, however, it was determined that the NW-SE structural features are associated with the highest water yields. The Tertiary period has a fundamental importance for the area, both in terms of the sedimentation of the Nova Ponte Formation and chrono-correlated deposits, as well as in the tectonic deformation responsible for the configuration of the current landscape. / Doutor