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Preliminary hydraulic characterization of a fractured schist aquifer at the Koongarra uranium deposit, Northern Territory, Australia

The Koongarra uranium deposit is hosted by quartz-chlorite schists. A conceptual model for the hydrogeology of the deposit is proposed on the basis of lithologic criteria and limited hydraulic testing. Water-level and aquifer-test data are presented that indicate the deposit lies within a partially confined, heterogeneous, anisotropic fractured-rock aquifer. The aquifer is dynamic with annual, diurnal, and semidiurnal water-level fluctuations. The results of aquifer tests indicate a high degree of connectivity in the aquifer. Fracture-dominated flow is observed in some tests, but the overall aquifer response appears to be that of an equivalent porous medium. A homogeneous, anisotropic model is used to estimate the transmissivity tensor for subregions of the aquifer. Anisotropy is well-developed with north- to east-northeast-oriented principal transmissivities. Northeast directions represent large-scale drawdown patterns and are subparallel to bedrock structure and the Koongarra fault. Northerly directions are localized and may reflect a less extensive fracture fabric or a flexure in the bedrock foliation.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/291720
Date January 1989
CreatorsNorris, James, 1953-
ContributorsDavis, Stanley N.
PublisherThe University of Arizona.
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic)
RightsCopyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

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