This theses is focused on the description of subsurface in the area of interest - Kopaninský and Jenínský stream catchment - and consequently thy most accurate interpretation depth of impermeable bedrock. Geophysical multicable metod (ERT - electrical resistivity tomography") was selected for field measurements. This method of geophysical survey provides the information on subsurface structures, verifies hypotheses and brings new information on the lithological and structural conditions below the surface. ERT measurements were performed automatically by geoelektrical ARES device in combination with inteligent electrodes. The data obtained by field measurements were plotter in the form of resistive sections (using ReS2DInv software) which were used for the later interpretation. The given results determine the depth and process of impermeable bedrock which are important for more accurate data inputs like for modeling rainfall-runoff processes especially in the field of calibration and validation of each adjustment of models as well as for the next other hydrogical analyzes and studies carried out in the research projects. The purpose of this work is to determine the depth of impermeable bedrock and could serve as a data input for MIKE SHE hydrological modeling.

Orientadores: Emilson Pereira Leite, Antônio João Paes de Barros / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T19:02:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Agnoletto_Ethiane_M.pdf: 12212269 bytes, checksum: 5fb182951b423af2f6cff746f4bf074b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: A região garimpeira de Flor da Serra situa-se na porção Leste da Província Aurífera Alta Floresta, Norte do Mato Grosso, inserida no contexto geológico da porção Centro-Sul do Cráton Amazônico, constituída por suítes plutono-vulcânicas de idade paleoproterozóica e coberturas sedimentares associadas. Várias ocorrências de ouro estão dispostas em grandes zonas de descontinuidade crustal que delimitam terrenos geocronológicos e geológicos. O expressivo adensamento de corpos filoneanos e o histórico de produção destaca essa região de expressivo potencial exploratório. Neste contexto, o trabalho teve por objetivo a identificação de novos alvos exploratórios por meio da análise de dados geofísicos, descrição de testemunhos de sondagem e mapeamento de cavas garimpeiras. A integração desses dados contribuiu em especial à evolução do conhecimento geológico da região Flor da Serra, e também de maneira geral para o setor leste da PAAF. A área de estudo está inserida na Suíte Intrusiva Flor da Serra, que é constituída eminentemente por gabros, dioritos a monzogabros, entretanto com o mapeamento de cavas garimpeiras e descrição de furos de sondagem, verificou-se a existência de quatro unidades geológicas principais: (i) Granitóides do Embasamento de composição tonalítica a granodiorítica com associação de magnetita + granada, intrudidos por rochas da (ii) Unidade Granodiorítica a Tonalítica de mesma composição. Essa unidade é truncada por (iii) Diques Máficos a Intermediários e localmente há presença de (iv) Rochas Cataclásticas a Miloníticas. Os litotipos foram variavelmente afetados por sete tipos de alteração hidrotermal (ordem temporal): (i) alteração potássica intensa, (ii) silicificação pervasiva, (iii) carbonatação, (iv) alteração com muscovita, (v) propilitização mais pontual, (vi) alteração Quartzo-Sericita-Pirita (QSP) com substituição total da rocha e, (vii) vênulas de calcita tardias. Foram realizados levantamentos geofísicos utilizando métodos geoelétricos (Polarização Induzida/Resistividade - IP/RES) e magnetometria em escala de depósito. Valores anômalos de cargabilidade e resistividade obtidos após aplicação de um algoritmo de inversão com vínculo de suavidade definiram zonas de intensa silicificação e de QSP. Essas zonas estão diretamente relacionadas a um minério do tipo disseminado, além de terem possibilitado a delimitação da interface saprólito-rocha sã (manto intempérico profundo de até 50 m). Para facilitar a interpretação geológica, foram gerados mapas do campo magnético anômalo reduzido ao equador magnético e da amplitude do sinal analítico. Esse último possibilitou a definição de um stock granítico intrusivo no embasamento heterogêneo. Para eliminar ruídos remanescentes nos mapas de anomalias magnéticas, foram aplicados os filtros cosseno direcional e continuação para cima, com geração de mapa que confirmou o padrão estrutural vigente no Sistema Flor da Serra. Essa estruturação está associada à diferentes níveis crustais, balizam os principais corpos filoneano da região e também estão associadas a alteração QSP. A integração dos principais lineamentos estruturais; bolsões de alta cargabilidade e resistividade; mapeamento detalhado de cavas desativadas e zona de borda da intrusão possibilitou a definição de pontos de interesse prospectivo metalogenético / Abstract: The gold mining area of Flor da Serra is located in the East portion of the Alta Floresta Gold Province (PAAF), North of the state of Mato Grosso, inserted into the geological context of the South-Central portion of the Amazon Craton, which comprises plutono-Paleoproterozoic volcanic suites and associated sedimentary cover. Several gold occurrences are arranged in large zones of crustal discontinuities demarcating land geochronological and geological. The significant densification of filoneano bodies and production history highlights the significant exploration potential of the area. In this context, this study aimed to identify new exploration targets through analysis of geophysical data, description of drill core samples and prospecting pits. The integrated analysis of these data contributed in particular to the development of the geological knowledge of Flor da Serra, and also generally for the eastern sector of the PAAF. The study area covers the Intrusive Suite Flor da Serra which consists essentially of gabbros, diorites to monzogabros, however mapping of prospecting pits and description of borehole samples confirmed the existence of at least four main geological units: (i) granitoids in Basement of tonalitic to granodioritic composition association with magnetite + garnet rocks intruded by (ii) granodioritic to tonalitic of the same composition. This unit is truncated by (iii) the Intermediate Mafic Dykes and locally by (iv) cataclastic to mylonitic rocks. Rocks of the Flor da Serra have been affected by the following hydrothermal alteration types (temporal sequence): (i) intense potassic alteration, (ii) pervasive silicification, (iii) carbonation, (iv) alteration with muscovite, (v) punctual propylitization, (vi) Quartz-Sericite-Pyrite (QSP) alteration with total replacement of the rock and (vii) late calcite veinlets. The geophysical survey consisted of the application of geoelectrical methods (Induced Polarization/Resistivity - IP/RES) and magnetometry at deposit scale. Anomalous values of chargeability and resistivity allowed defining zones of intense silicification and QSP closely related to a disseminated ore type, beyond the boundaries of the saprolite-bedrock interface (deep weathering mantle of up to 50 m). To facilitate geological interpretation, maps of the magnetic anomalous field reduced to the magnetic equador and the analytic signal amplitude were generated. The latter allowed the identification of granitic intrusive stock in heterogeneous basement. To improve the final product and eliminate remaining noise cosine directional filter and upward continuation to 100 m were applied, providing a map which confirmed the structural pattern prevailing in the Flor da Serra system. This structural system is associated with different crustal levels, controls the main filoneano bodies of the region and is attached to QSP alteration. The integration of the main structural lineaments; zones of high chargeability/resistivity; detailed mapping of deactivated pits; and boundary zone of the intrusion led to the definition of prospective metallogenic targets / Mestrado / Geologia e Recursos Naturais / Mestra em Geociências

This study is part of an NRF sponsored research project entitled “Neotectonics and its applications for the exploration of groundwater in the fractured Karoo aquifers in the Eastern Cape” under the NRF Niche area of Water Resources Management and Sustainable Development in the Eastern Cape Province. The identification of relatively highly productive wells in the Karoo fractured aquifers is extremely difficult. This study aims to identify neotectonic zones and lower stress fields, and apply the results to groundwater exploration in the Eastern Cape Province. The methodologies adopted in this study include: a comprehensive literature review, extensive field mapping and investigation such as road cuts, sampling for laboratory studies, examination of seismic data, study of hot and ordinary springs, and interpretation of aerial photography and satellite images. Three main neotectonic belts were identified in the Eastern Cape (southern neotectonic belt, northern neotectonic belt and eastern neotectonic belt) based on literature review and field interpretations. The southern neotectonic belt (from the Cape Fold Belt to the lower Beaufort Group boundary) is characterized by the reactivation of the Coega-Bavianskloof and Sauer faults, the presence of a hot spring near Fort Beaufort, the slickenlines and discrete slickenlines and specifically the seismic events that were recorded in the Eastern Cape from 1850 to 2007. In this southern neotectonic belt the remote sensing has also revealed the presence of the Fort Beaufort fracture, the quartz veins seen in some dolerites and the different vegetation types along it may indicate that this fracture is possibly a fault; moreover the Quaternary sediments and weathered dolerites indicate that the Fort iii Beaufort fracture is characterized by groundwater circulation and accordingly is a good target for groundwater exploration, this fracture is a post-Karoo structure and possibly a neotectonic feature. In addition, the kaolin deposit, chiefly developed in the Dwyka tillite near Grahamstown is clearly controlled by neotectonic fracture zones. The northern neotectonic belt near the country of Lesotho is marked by the presence of the Senqu seismotectonic regime and hot springs. The Quaternary Amatole-Swaziland (formerly Ciskei-Swaziland) axis of uplift makes the eastern part of the province the third neotectonic zone, the asymmetric meanders of the Mbashe river in the vicinity of Qunu near Mthatha derived possibly from this Quaternary uplift; this asymmetric feature of meanders implies that the river has tried to maintain stability of its valley where tilting occurred. Within these neotectonic belts the central part of the Eastern Cape may be considered a static and inactive belt. A northwesterly trend for the maximum principal compresssional stress predominates in the Eastern Cape and is correlated with the present major structural control of the province. The current stress regime determination was derived from faults, joints and quartz veins only on kaolin deposits. Systematic joints reflect regional tectonic stress trajectories at the time of fracturing. Discharge rates of groundwater from boreholes as provided by the Department of Water and Forestry were used to confirm and predict water exploration targets. The region of Tabankulu (near Kwazulu Natal) in the northern neotectonic belt has remarkable discharge rates of groundwater (11.1 l/s, 4.65 l/s, 6.49 l/s, 42 l/s). The region of Mthatha, nearly surrounding the Amatole-Swaziland axis (former Ciskei-Swaziland iv axis) of uplift which might have generated some new faults, has a number of springs. These two regions should serve as case studies for future research. Apart from these two regions, two others regions can be considered as case studies for future groundwater exploration targets: the Bath Farm hot spring near the Fort Beaufort neotectonic fault and the vicinity of what is known as the Fort Beaufort fracture near Teba and Cimezile villages 20km north west of Fort Beaufort. It is concluded that the study of neotectonics and stress fields may be a useful tool for groundwater exploration in the Karoo fractured aquifers in the Eastern Cape, and in similar regions elsewhere in South Africa and in Africa.

An interpretation of gravity and magnetic anomalies of the Butte district, Montana, is based on the analysis of five gravity profiles constructed from Bouguer gravity data of the Butte district observed during the summer of 1974 and give concurrent magnetic profiles constructed from U.S. Geological Survey high-level aeromagnetic data of the district. Of primary concern in this analysis is the interpretation of the Bouguer gravity high and aeromagnetic low associated with the Butte orebody. Results of this interpretation yield a configuration for the Butte orebody characterized by vertical contacts extending from the surface or directly beneath Cenozoic basin fill to 4,500 feet below sea level, with a central core, elongate in the north -south direction, surrounded by a variable outer zone, which is more pronounced in the southern and western portions of the district. The central core is interpreted as a region of zero magnetic susceptibility with three density distributions, all of which are of higher densities than the surrounding host rock and are related to the varying degrees of mineralization and alteration present in this region. The laterally variable outer zone is interpreted as a zone of low magnetic susceptibility with a density equal to that of the host rock. This zone is related to the peripheral mineralization and alteration of the Butte orebody.

The depths to buried bodies, characterized by anomalous gravity and magnetic properties, are determined by a combination of two numerical techniques. An upward continuation integral is solved by a method by Paul and Nagy using elemental squares and low order polynomials to describe the behavior of the gravity or magnetic data between observed data points. Downward continuation of the magnetic or gravity data is done by a finite difference technique as described by Bullard and Cooper. The applicability of the techniques are determined by comparison to depths determined by other means over the same anomalies and by comparison to various rule-of-thumb methods prevalent in the geophysical literature. The relative speed and cost of the particular computer system used is also considered in the applicability. The results show that although the initial costs of the computer program are high, the combined technique is as good as and at times better than the rule-of-thumb methods in determining the depth to the anomaly-causing body and is useful when more than just an approximate depth is of interest.

Cette thèse est avant tout consacrée à létude des circulations karstiques dans les calcaires carbonifères du Sud de la Belgique. Son objectif est double : dune part, approfondir la connaissance de laquifère à partir de létude dune région limitée située dans le Condroz à lextrémité Est du synclinorium de Dinant (bassins dAnthisnes et du Néblon), dautre part mettre au point des méthodes de mise en uvre et dinterprétation des traçages permettant de caractériser le comportement de laquifère lié à sa « double perméabilité ». Dans ce but, plusieurs aquifères fissurés ou karstiques sont comparés. Lintroduction générale présente une synthèse des conceptions actuellement utilisées en hydrogéologie karstique et définit le calcaire carbonifère en tant quaquifère (intérêt économique, particularités du fonctionnement) dans le contexte plus général des aquifères carbonatés du sud de la Belgique. La première partie est consacrée à létude de la structure (approche structurelle) et du fonctionnement (approche systémique) de deux systèmes karstiques drainant la même nappe dans les calcaires du Tournaisien et du Viséen : le bassin dAnthisnes, dont lexutoire est la résurgence de Comblain-au-Pont, et le bassin du Néblon drainé par les sources du Néblon. Les structures de ces deux systèmes sont comparées à laide de diverses méthodes géophysiques (électriques, électromagnétiques, diagraphiques) et à partir des observations en surface (fissuration, linéaments). Les différences de comportement sont liées au développement de la karstification. Elles apparaissent de manière très nette en considérant les réponses naturelles (hydrodynamique, hydrogéochimie) et provoquées (traçages). Dans la seconde partie, une série de tests en écoulement naturel et en écoulement radial convergent permettent détudier les propriétés de transport des traceurs au sein de différents aquifères fissurés et karstiques et de dégager des tendances liées à la structure du milieu. Trois types daquifère sont envisagés : les calcaires dévoniens et carbonifères (aquifère principalement à porosité dinterstice). Un examen critique des lois découlement et de transport utilisées, ainsi que des différents types de traçage et types de traceur, est effectué au préalable. Plusieurs solutions analytiques sont envisagées pour déterminer les paramètres hydrodispersifs des aquifères. Les dispersivités longitudinales des calcaires sont comprises entre 10 et 100m ; celles des craies entre 2 et 14m et celles des tuffeaux entre 2 et 5m. ABSTRACT. The actual scope of this research is to study the karstic groundwaters in the carboniferous limestones south of Belgium. The study deals with two different approaches, one in a local framework, the other thematic. On the one hand, two karstic systems are described in the synclinorium of Dinant in the Condroz region (Anthisnes and Neblon basins). On the other hand, a methodology of tracer tests, and their interpretation as well, are developed in order to understand groundwater flows related to the dual permeability of the aquifer. As a comparison, the tracer study is enlarged to other karstic and fissured aquifers. The introduction deals with some general features about karst hydrogeology. The carboniferous limestones and their economic interest are presented in the regional framework of all the carbonated rocks in south Belgium. The two karstic systems described in the first part belong to the same water table in the Tournaisian and Visean beds. Their structure is studied by mean of geophysical prospecting (electric, electromagnetic, well logging) and fissuration measurements. The mechanisms of groundwater circulations are then studied by using undirect investigations such as hydrodynamical, hydrogeochemical or tracing investigations. These methods are applied to the main springs of each system: the spring of Comblain-au-Pont (Anthisnes basin) and the springs of the Neblon (Neblon basin). The behaviour of each system is related to its stage of karstification. The second part deals with tracer tests in natural and radially convergent flow pattern. The aim is to distinguish among the features of the tracer curves those due particularly to the structure of the fissured network of the aquifer. Three different kinds of aquifer are studied: the Devonian and carboniferous limestones (both fissured and karstic), the cretaceous chalks (mainly fissured), and the landenian tuffaceous sands (mainly porous). After describing the theory of groundwater flow and transport in fissured media, we justify the use of different tracers and tracing methods. Afterwards different mathematical models are used to calibrate the dispersion parameters. The longitudinal dispersivities are ranging between 10 and 100m in the limestones, between 2 and 14m in the chalk and between 2 and 5m in the landenian sands.

This study is informed by the rising demand for power needs in South Africa and aims at understanding the geophysical and geochemical characteristics of the energy minerals in the Springbok Flats Basin and relating them to the prevailing geological and structural setting for improved exploration targeting. The Springbok Flats Basin is part of the Karoo sediments and host to uranium, coal and coal bed methane (CBM) resources. The lithology sections in the basin indicate presence of basaltic lavas at the top, underlain by mudrocks, siltstones, sandstones, conglomerates and diamictite, with interbedded coal beds occasionally. The coals are uraniferous and shale bounded and of lower Beaufort age at 250 Ma. The regional radiometric data identifies the regional extent of the Springbok Flats Basin as a basin with low total count values. This information is useful in exploration as it gives an idea of the limits of the area where to focus application for prospecting licenses. The reduced to pole of the total magnetic field, residuals and first vertical derivative maps clearly show the high magnetic susceptibility nature of the surrounding Bushveld rocks as compared to the low Karoo sediment susceptibility within the basin. There are distinct ring shaped picks within the basin possibly due to known Karoo dolerite sills in particular to the central south western part of the grid. The regional geochemical mapping program is a cost-effective way of providing an overview of the relative abundance levels, regional trends and anomalous patterns in the underlying lithological units. Background values of elements in soils over different lithological units and the identification of anomalous values relative to these elements can easily be identified. The geochemical results show an excellent correlation between soil chemistry and underlying geological formations. A few distinct gravity highs are clearly shown within the basin. Assuming the effect of the Letaba basalt to the gravity readings is uniform across the basin; these distinct anomalies could be due to Karoo dolerite sills as they coincide with areas of distinct high magnetic signature. A conceptual model was generated assuming that the Karoo sediments’ layering is uniform across the gravity profile but changes in the residual are due to an increased thickness of the sill supported by the gentle changes on the surface topography. Satellite imagery has got its challenges especially in areas of vegetation but it does provide a very useful tool in exploration. A number of spectral analysis techniques and band rations can be used to differentiate the areas underlain by the Letaba basalts, the Karoo sandstones/shale and Bushveld granites for mapping purposes. The priority focus will be on the shallower Karoo sediments because of the potential for cheaper mining. Exploration targeting needs to be guided by observed geochemical and geophysical characteristics in order to prioritize areas taking into account the presence of Karoo intrusives such as the dolerite sills that tend to devolatize the coal hence affecting the quality/rank. Structures and gravity signatures are very important in delineating areas with thick sediments that have a potential for CBM. The same understanding in targeting goes a long way in planning drill holes, resource modelling and pre-feasibility stages for mine planning. A high resolution airborne geophysical survey is recommended over the basin to better resolve structures. Geophysical borehole logging is recommended to be part of the exploration drilling programs in the Springbok Flats Basin in order to define the in-situ geophysical characteristics. Geophysical logging is useful in particular for the uranium reserves that cannot be delineated from the surface due to deep intersection.

In this thesis, I constrain rupture scenarios of active crustal faults in the southern Strait of Georgia and Boundary Bay in order to assess their tsunamigenic potential. The NW-SE-trending Drayton Harbor, Birch Bay, and Sandy Point faults had been previously identified on the southern side of Boundary Bay from aeromagnetic, LiDAR, and paleoseismic data; all show evidence of abrupt vertical Holocene displacements. South of Boundary Bay, the E-W-trending Skipjack Island fault zone was recently mapped on the basis of multibeam sonar imagery and seismic reflection data, with evidence for Holocene offsets of the seafloor and subsurface sediments. In addition, the Fraser River Delta fault had been hypothesized on the basis of a line of pockmarks and fluid seeps. Since these faults have only been recently mapped and identified as active, there is little information available on their structure, rupture style, and past large earthquakes. This makes it difficult to constrain rupture models to predict how fault slip could displace the seafloor during a large earthquake, for input to tsunami models. I analyzed relocated earthquake hypocentres, earthquake mechanisms, bathymetry, topography, and aeromagnetic, seismic reflection, and magnetotelluric data, to constrain the location, strike, dip, and rupture width of each fault. Correlations between datasets enabled mapping of northwestward extensions of the Sandy Point and Birch Bay faults, as well as delineating the previously unmapped Fraser River Delta fault. These offshore faults appear to be associated with infilled basement valleys in the subsurface, perhaps due to differential glacial erosion of weakened fault zone material. The Drayton Harbor fault could not be definitively mapped across Boundary Bay, so was excluded from the rupture modelling. Rupture styles were constrained using a combination of earthquake mechanisms, stress orientations, other evidence of regional compression, and vertical paleoseismic offsets. Where possible, paleoseismic displacements in past earthquakes were used to constrain the amount of fault slip for scenario earthquakes; empirical relations between fault slip and fault length or area were used to estimate displacements for the Skipjack Island and Fraser River Delta faults. The Birch Bay, Sandy Point, Skipjack Island, and Fraser River Delta faults all pose a significant tsunami risk to communities surrounding the southern Strait of Georgia and Boundary Bay. Considering both the originally mapped and extended lengths, the Birch Bay and Sandy Point faults could rupture in reverse-faulting earthquakes up to Mw 6.7-7.4 and 6.8-7.5, respectively, with seafloor uplift up to 2-2.5 m triggering damaging tsunami waves (up to at least 2.5 m) that could arrive onshore with little to no warning after the shaking begins. Similarly, the Fraser River Delta fault could host reverse or dextral-reverse slip earthquakes up to Mw 7.0-7.6, with seafloor uplift of 0.6-3.5 m. Ruptures on the Skipjack Island fault would likely have a larger strike-slip component; earthquakes of Mw 6.9-7.3 produce modelled seafloor uplift of 0.5-1.9 m. These results suggest that large tsunamigenic earthquakes on crustal faults in the southern Strait of Georgia should be included in future seismic and tsunami hazard assessments on both sides of the international border. / Graduate

The Pimpama estuarine plain in subtropical southeast Queensland is comprised of Quaternary sediments infilling older bedrock. These multilayered unconsolidated sediments have various depositional origins, and are highly heterogeneous. The plain is low-lying and the surface drainage is controlled by flood mitigation measures including tidal gates and channelised streams. The control of surface drainage potentially affects the shallow water table. This modification of hydrology has implications for future viability of agriculture and also the environmental health of waterways. Increased landscape modification and water management is likely in the coming years. The combination of sediment heterogeneity, low hydraulic gradients, and artificial drainage modification result in the plain being hydrogeologically complex. In order to understand hydrologic processes in this setting, a multi-disciplinary research programme was conducted which included a drilling program, overland electromagnetic induction and other geophysical surveys (downhole gamma log, electromagnetic induction and magnetic susceptibility) to initially establish the geologic framework. These surveys were followed by hydrogeochemical testing which includes for major and minor ions and also stable isotopes, and mineralogical analysis of drillhole material. Underlying basement rock occurs at up to 60 m depth. Unconsolidated gravel and sand deposits occur within incised paleo-valleys and are overlain by predominantly low-permeability fluvial sandy clays and estuarine and lagoonal muds. Fine-grained delta sands occur in the top 15 m of the sub-surface. Within the unconsolidated sediments, hydrodynamic trends clearly discriminated between upper unconfined and lower semi-confined aquifer systems. A comparison of surface water and shallow groundwater levels indicate limited interaction of groundwater and surface water. Hydrogeochemical analysis effectively distinguished between groundwater bodies, and also distinguished saline groundwater from seawater. Trends in major ion chemistry in the semi-confined system (particularly Na/Cl and Ca/Cl ratios) showed ion exchange accompanying saline intrusion. However, due to factors such as mineral dissolution, major ion chemistry does not clearly identify solute flux trends in the shallow aquifer system. Water stable isotope analysis (δ18O and δ2H) indicated the provenance of fresh and saline groundwater and also the relative importance of the principal hydrologic processes, i.e. evaporation and water uptake by plants. Groundwater exhibited a wide range in salinity, from very fresh to hypersaline. The formation of hypersaline groundwater was attributed largely to uptake of water by mangrove forests. Since mangrove forests were more extensive at the time of the Holocene maximum sea level (approximately 6,000 years ago) than at present, some of this groundwater may represent relict salinity from this earlier time. The relationship of relict salinity to low permeability sediments, particularly at intermediate depths, and their depositional history was examined. Vertical salinity gradients and hydrogeochemistry within these sediments varied according to position within the plain, suggesting deposition under various hydrological and sea level regimes. A preliminary investigation using analysis of stable sulfate isotopes (δ34S and δ18OSO4) was made. This study shows substantial potential for the application of this technique for quantification of solute flux and sulfur chemical transformations within settings such as this coastal plain. To establish shallow groundwater flow processes, a MODFLOW-based numerical model was used to inversely estimate aquifer parameters under various recharge scenarios. The model was designed to examine the relative importance of evapotranspiration and discharge to surface waters. However, largely due to the complexity of the drainage network and non-uniform surface water flows, the quantification of surface water- groundwater interaction by consideration of hydrodynamics is problematic. Therefore, the chemistry of groundwater and surface water was compared. While the estimated contribution of rainfall to groundwater level fluctuations was significant (46%), high evapotranspiration rates reduced net recharge and it was concluded that baseflow to drains and creeks during dry periods was insignificant, and groundwater velocities in the shallow aquifer are low. The study illustrates the value of both hydrodynamic and hydrogeochemical analyses in estuarine settings where relict salinity and groundwater-aquifer interactions impact significantly on water quality. Saline groundwater is chemically distinct from theoretical mixtures of seawater and freshwater. The study also demonstrates the value of particular chemical parameters, e.g. Na/Cl and SO4/Cl ratios and stable water isotopes, for identifying hydrologic processes in this setting.