A funcionalidade de um sistema aqüífero é dependente dos atributos do reservatório, em especial as suas heterogeneidades, associadas às propriedades intrínsecas da rocha e descontinuidades relacionadas à compartimentação estrutural. O presente estudo teve como objetivo principal identificar e mapear a organização espacial dos componentes estratigráficos e compartimentos estruturais do Sistema Aqüífero Guarani, localizado na bacia do Paraná, a fim de verificar os efeitos na sua distribuição na organização e funci- onalidade. Foram observadas as variações na salinidade, as zonas de recarga e de des- carga, visando contribuir para os estudos que estabelecem prioridades de uso, mapea- mento, monitoramento e redução das atividades potencialmente contaminantes. A extensa seção siliciclástica do aqüífero foi formada por sistemas deposicionais eólicos e fluviais, de idade triássica e jurássica, englobados principalmente pelas forma- ções Pirambóia e Botucatu (Brasil), Misiones (Paraguai e Argentina) e Taquarembó (Uruguai). Levantamentos de seções estratigráficas ao longo da faixa de afloramentos e análise e interpretação de perfis geofísicos de poços para petróleo na bacia permitiram compor um novo quadro estratigráfico para o sistema aqüífero. A compartimentação estrutural do aqüífero foi definida a partir da integração de mapas morfoestruturais previamente publicados, traçados por interpretação de imagens de radar, satelitárias, modelos digitais de elevação e mapas regionais aeromagnetométri- cos e gravimétricos. Um novo mapa de lineamentos estruturais, interpretado a partir de um modelo digital de terreno, teve a precisão avaliada por comparação com mapas pré- vios gerados por diferentes autores e métodos. A sucessão sedimentar que compõe o aqüífero é objeto de diferentes correlações e classificações estratigráficas, com implicações na organização das unidades hidroestrati- gráficas. Caracteriza-se por associações de fácies cujos elementos arquiteturais e geo- metria permitem subdividí-lo em unidades de fluxo. Três unidades de fluxo principais foram reconhecidas, identificadas e denominadas conforme a fácies genética: duna (DU), interdunas (ID) e canais (CH). Secundariamente, duas outras unidades: crevasse (CR), lacustre e planície de inundação (FF) ambém foram identificadas. Estas unidades apresentam diferentes condutividade hidráulica e desempenham, conseqüentemente, papéis diferentes no funcionamento do aqüífero. Para as unidades de fluxo foi possível estimar a condutividade hidráulica média com base na seleção e tamanho médio dos grãos e na argilosidade dos sedimentos. Em termos de litoestratigrafia, o SAG é composto pelas formações Santa Maria, de ocorrência restrita ao Rio Grande do Sul, espacialmente sotoposta e justaposta às forma- ções flúvio-eólicas Guará (No oeste do Rio Grande do sul) e Pirambóia (leste do Rio Grande do Sul, e toda a parte central e norte da Bacia do Paraná). Todas estão extensa- mente superpostas, ora discordantemente, ora transicionalmente, pela Formação Botu- catu, caracterizada por depósitos dunares de desertos super-áridos. Tal fácies apresenta grande homogeneidade, boa porosidade e permeabilidade efetiva, caracterizando-se como a mais importante unidade hidroestratigráfica. Na interpolação dos contornos estruturais e espessuras das rochas do aqüífero, os lineamentos reconhecidos revelaram grandes blocos tectônicos que restringem o fluxo e a formação de células hidrogeológicas. A anisotropia sedimentar e a compartimentação estrutural foram consideradas na avaliação das unidades de fluxo e do sistema e no cál- culo do fluxo potencial dinâmico. Mapas de fluxo potencial e de direção de fluxo perm- tem visualizar a forte influência estrutural nas áreas preferenciais de recarga e descarga e os controles das entradas e saídas do sistema. A distribuição espacial das unidades mostra o zoneamento dos valores de condutividade hidráulica, com efeito direto na qua- lidade e na condutividade do fluxo da água dentro do aqüífero regional. Como resultado, conclui-se que apesar de se constituir um reservatório idealmente contínuo, a compartimentação e diferenciação interna do Sistema Aqüífero Guarani apon- tam para uma complexidade que parece ultrapassar a concepção de um sistema único. / The functionality of an aquifer system depends on attributes of the reservoir, spe- cially those heterogeneities associated to intrinsic properties of the rock and to structural compartmentation discontinuities. The main objective of the study was to identify and to map the stratigraphic components and structural compartments of the Guarani Aquifer System, located in the Paraná Basin, to verify the effect of their distribution on the aquifer organization and functionality. Variations in the salinity, the discharge and recharge zones were also studied as a contribution to the studies that aim to establish priorities in the use, mapping, monitoring and in the reduction of potentially contami- nant activities. The extensive siliciclastic section, with a maximum thickness of 600 m, was formed by aeolian and fluvial depositional systems of Triassic and Jurassic age and referred to mainly as the Pirambóia and Botucatu (Brazil), Misiones (Paraguay and Argentina) and Taquarembó (Uruguay) formations. Survey of stratigraphic sections throughout the out- crop belt and analysis and interpretation of geophysical profiles of wells drilled for oil in the basin had allowed a new stratigraphic and structural picture of the water-bearing system to be drawn. The structural compartmentation of the aquifer was defined based on the integration of morphostructural maps previously published, traced from interpretation of radar and satellite images, digital terrain models of rise and aeromagnetometric and gravimetric regional maps. A new map of structural lineaments, interpreted from a digital elevation model, had its precision and accuracy evaluated by comparint it to previous maps gener- ated by different authors and methods. The sedimentary succession that form the water-bearing unit is object of different correlations and stratigraphic classifications – with implications in the spatial configura- tion and regional connectivity of the hydrostratigraphic units. The succession is charac- terized by associations of facies whose architectural elements and geometry allow it to be subdivided in units of flow. Three main units of flow were recognized, identified and referred to as genetic facies: dune (DU), interdune (ID) and canals (CH). Secondarily, two other units: flooding plain crevasse (CR), lacustrine and (FF) were identified. These units show different hydraulic conductivities and play, consequently, different roles in the functioning of the aquifer. For the units of flow, it was possible estimate the average hydraulic conductivity on the basis of the selection and average size of its grains and in the mud content of the sediments. In litostratigraphic terms, the Guarani Aquifer System is represented by the forma- tions Santa Maria, restricted to Rio Grande do Sul state, bellow and spatially justaposed to the fluvial-aeolian formations Guará (in western Rio Grande do Sul) and Pirambóia (eastern Rio Grande do Sul, and all the central and north parts of the Paraná Basin). All units are extensively superposed, in some places unconformably, in other places transi- tionally, by the Botucatu Formation, which is characterized by dune deposits of super- arid deserts. Such facies present a great homogeneity, a good porosity and permeability, being the most important hydrostratigraphic unit. In the interpolation of the structural contours and thicknesses of the rocks of the water-bearing unit, the recognized lineaments revealed large tectonic blocks that restrict the flow and the formation of hydrogeologic cells. The sedimentary anisotropy and the structural compartments have been considered in the evaluation of the units of flow and the system and in the calculation of the dynamic potential flow. The obtained potential flow and direction of flow maps allowed the strong structural influence in the preferen- tial areas of recharge and discharge and the controls of the inputs and outputs of the sys- tem to be identified. The spatial distribution of the units shows a hydraulic conductivity zoning with direct effect in the quality and the regional conductivity. As result, it can be concluded that although it consists of an ideally continuous reservoir, the compartmentation and the internal differentiation of the Guarani Aquifer System point to a complexity that seems to exceed the conception of a single system.

Many growing southern Ontario communities, including Guelph, rely on fractured bedrock aquifers for drinking water. Contamination and overexploitation pose a threat to these water resources, necessitating characterization of vulnerability, risks, and recharge areas. Quaternary sediments southeast of the City of Guelph, including the Paris Moraine, were investigated in order to delineate hydrostratigraphy. This was achieved through study of 9 cored-holes, as well as existing MOE, GRCA, and University of Guelph data. Falling head permeameter measurements and empirical grain-size distribution measurements and analysis were employed for determination of 𝐾𝑠𝑎𝑡 values, which were used to construct a hydrostratigraphy. Of 19 methods evaluated, The Kozeny-Carman empirical grain-size method for determining 𝐾𝑠𝑎𝑡 was found to be more representative of measured values for the study area. The area is dominated by a conductivity regime of 2.72x10-7 – 1.40x10-6 m/s with local heterogeneity present on the scale of 10’s to 100’s of meters. The Paris Moraine, particularly its backslope, is at higher risk due to its relatively high conductivity, greater occurrence of aquifer units, as well as prevalence of small-scale topographic (hummocky topography), and bedrock topographic lows. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

<p>In 2009, the Regional Municipality of Halton and McMaster University initiated a 2-year collaborative study (Georgetown Aquifer Characterization Study-GACS) of the groundwater resource potential of Quaternary sediments near Georgetown, Ontario. As part of that study, this thesis investigated the Quaternary infill stratigraphy of the Middle Sixteen Mile Creek (MSMC) and Cedarvale (CV) buried valley systems using newly acquired core and borehole geophysical data. Multi-parameter geophysical log suites (natural gamma, EM conductivity, resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, full-waveform sonic, caliper) were acquired in 16 new boreholes (16 m to 55 m depth), pre-existing monitoring wells and from archival data. Characteristic log responses (electrofacies) were identified and correlated with core to produce a detailed subsurface model of a 20-km² area to the southwest of Georgetown. Nine distinctive lithostratgraphic units were identified and their geometry mapped across the study area as structure contour and isochore thickness maps. The subsurface model shows that the CV valley truncates the Late Wisconsin MSMC stratigraphy along a channelized erosional unconformity and is a younger (post-glacial?) sediment-hosted valley system. Model results demonstrate the high level of stratigraphic heterogeneity and complexity that is inherent in bedrock valley systems and provides a geological framework for understanding groundwater resource availability.</p> <p>Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to selected log suites to evaluate the potential for objective lithologic classification using log data. Gamma, resistivity and conductivity logs were most useful for lithologic typing, while p-wave velocity and resistivity logs were more diagnostic of compact diamict units. Cross plots of the first and second principal components of log parameters discriminated silts and clays/shales from sand/gravel and diamict lithofacies. The results show that PCA is a viable method for predicting subsurface lithology in un-cored boreholes and can assist in the identification of hydrostratigraphic units.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)