The use of bromide and chloride mass ratios to differentiate salt-dissolution and formation brines in shallow groundwaters of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin

In the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, the petroleum industry handles two geochemically distinctive brines that are traceable in the environment: formation brines extracted along with hydrocarbons from the basin, and salt-dissolution brines, produced by dissolving deep halite formations to create caverns for petroleum product storage. The concentrations of the conservative ions chloride (Cl) and bromide (Br) in many formation brines plot closely to the seawater evaporation trajectory of previous studies. These brines contain Cl/Br mass ratios of around 300, while salt-dissolution brines are relatively Br depleted, having Cl/Br mass ratios in excess of 20,000. An oilfield site in central Alberta had experienced nearby releases of both salt-dissolution and formation brines. Geochemical mixing trends were defined by theoretically mixing samples of local salt-dissolution and formation brine sources with background shallow groundwater. Most site monitoring wells and local surface water samples plotted directly on a salt-dissolution brine dilution trend, while results from four monitoring wells, all located directly downgradient of formation brine spills, suggested the mixing of formation brines into shallow groundwater. This work indicates that there is a large-scale salt-dissolution brine plume beneath the site and reinforces the use of Cl and Br concentrations and mass ratios as environmental tracers.     

Interpretation of Na–Cl–Br Systematics in Sedimentary Basin Brines: Comparison of Concentration, Element Ratio, and Isometric Log-ratio Approaches

Mathematicians and geochemists have long realized that compositional data intrinsically exhibit a structure prone to spurious and induced correlations. This paper demonstrates, using the Na–Cl–Br system, that these mathematical problems are exacerbated in the study of sedimentary basin brines by such processes as the evaporation or dissolution of salts owing to their high salinities. Using two published datasets of Na–Cl–Br data for fluids from the Appalachian Basin, it is shown that log concentration and Na/Br versus Cl/Br methods for displaying solute chemistry may lead to misinterpretation of mixing trends between meteoric waters (for example shallow drinking water aquifers) and basinal brines, partially due to spurious mathematical relationships. An alternative approach, based on the isometric log-ratio transformation of molar concentration data, is developed and presented as an alternative method, free from potential numerical problems of the traditional methods. The utility, intuitiveness, and potential for mathematical problems of the three methods are compared and contrasted. Because the Na–Cl–Br system is a useful tool for sourcing solutes and investigating the evolution of basinal brines, results from this research may impact such critical topics as evaluating sources of brine contamination in the environment (possibly related to oil and gas production), evaluating the behavior of fluids in the reservoir during hydraulic fracturing, and tracking movement of fluids as a result of geologic CO₂ sequestration.     

Ground penetrating radar for groundwater exploration in granitic terrains: A case study from Hyderabad

The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a newly developing geophysical tool for imaging the sub-surface and is potentially useful in groundwater exploration. We test its usefulness in characterizing a groundwater rich lineament near Gajularamaram in the Hyderabad granite terrain, where groundwater is limited to soil, weathering zone and lineaments. The lineament is 2 km long and 50–100 m wide, and oriented in WNW-ESE direction. It is characterized by many closely spaced sub-vertical fractures and faults, majority of which are parallel to the lineament. On either sides of the lineament, sub-horizontal sheet joints are abundant. The lineament is saturated with groundwater that discharge as springs at some places. About 450 m long, 400–100 MHz GPR data (～5–30 m depth) were acquired along five profiles across the lineament. In the lineament, soil thickness varies from ～0.5 m to 5 m, and is underlain by weathered granite. In the WNW part, a thick weathering zone (～15 m) is present and a 10 m wide vertical anomaly zone (lineament) is also present. The presence of shallow reflectors at 1 m depth in the lineament is attributed to the groundwater surface. The GPR images reveal many sub horizontal to gently dipping reflectors, which are interpreted to be the sheet joints. The GPR data clearly reveal the saturated lineament, from which groundwater may migrate laterally to long distance through the sheet joints. We demonstrate the GPR as a rapid geophysical tool that can be used successfully to explore the nearsurface groundwater.     

渤海中部郯庐断裂带的近期活动与渤海新近纪新生断裂

渤海中部的郯庐断裂带在平面上表现为不连续的几条北北东走向断层,地震反射剖面和钻探资料显示断层两侧沉积厚度的巨大差异,表明新近纪以来它们是在沉降运动背景下活动的具有大幅度倾滑位移的正断层,构成渤海盆地内凹陷与凸起的边界。这些断层在剖面上有一定弯曲和倾斜,向下延伸深度不超过10~12km。在此深度以上的地壳浅部,没有水平方向位移以及其它直接变形证据表明郯庐断裂带有走滑运动分量。从地震机制解得到的走滑断层运动反映渤海地区地壳深部的变形及相应的构造应力状态,与浅部残留的伸展构造应力同时存在。根据断裂力学分析,认为中新世末以来渤海浅层新近系内出现的大量近东西向小断裂可能是现代构造应力场作用的结果,与郯庐断裂带或其它基底老断裂没有继承性或派生的成因关系。     

Using airborne geophysical data in identifying tectonic lineaments in east of Iran

In this paper we tried to identify the main tectonic lineaments in Eastern Iran including Lut block and Sistan suture zone from the airborne geomagnetic data together with tilt filter. As the map of obtained lineaments from airborne geomagnetic data has been studied, four distinct set of lineaments has been identified: (i) north–south, (ii) east–west, (iii) northeast–southwest, and (iv) northwest–southwest that are concurrently with structural zones and area’s big faults. New faults which have been identified in this investigation are lineaments with trend northeast–southwest and east–west. The depth of these lineaments has been calculated through Euler modeling. Magnetic lineaments trending east–west have the most depth, so these lineaments are related to basement faults.     

Magnetic mapping of geologic contacts in the Taourirt–Oujda corridor–Horst belt (northeastern Morocco)

From a geologist's perspective, magnetic data are most useful in mapping contacts and providing insight into the 3D geometry of the geology. Since the early 1970s, automatic methods based on the horizontal and vertical derivatives are applied to potential field data in order to map geological lineaments. In this paper, three methods for locating magnetic contacts are applied to magnetic anomaly data of the study area. The local maxima of horizontal gradient determined on the magnetic map and its upward continued maps to several heights delineate the contacts and indicate their dips. The amplitude of the 3D analytic signal of magnetic data provides information on the location of the edge of the sources in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions. The Euler deconvolution is also used to estimate the source depth at the contact location. These results allow the production of a structural map showing the magnetic lineaments for the survey area. This map is consistent with many faults already recognised or supposed by the traditional structural studies and highlights new ones by specifying their layout and dips.     

临汾区块地应力三维数值模拟研究

在地质构造分析和岩石力学性质测试的基础上,进行了临汾区块的地应力有限元三维数值模拟研究,探讨了地应力在区域和层域上的分布规律及其对区内煤层气成藏的影响。研究表明,应力强度总体上随深度递增,断层对应力强度分布具有明显的影响;断层附近应力强度的最大值分布在断层与断层的交叉点、断层与底部硬质岩层界面附近,应力性质在断层夹块内和支断层一侧发生转变出现拉应力区,断层与地表的交点附近也呈现局部拉应力区;煤层软弱带呈现应力降低。研究区的地应力分布特征有利于煤层气从深部向浅部运移,并在背斜轴部相对富集。     

Evaluation of geologic and geomorphologic influences on borehole productivity in crystalline bedrock aquifers of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Geologically complex crystalline aquifers underlie large parts of the semi-arid Limpopo Province where some of the greatest groundwater needs in South Africa occur. It is important to identify potentially high-yielding zones that can be targeted for water supply. The study covered four distinct geologic and morpho-structural domains within Limpopo Province, together covering about 23,500?km². Results from over 2,500 pumping test analyses indicate that bedrock type (e.g. pegmatite), lithological setting (e.g. aureole of granitoids), proximity and orientation of dykes and lineaments, topographic setting (e.g. slopes or valleys) and proximity of surface-water drainages may exert an influence on borehole productivity. No correlation between borehole productivity and weathering depth was found. Lineaments and dykes striking perpendicular to the current maximum horizontal stress seem to be more favourable targets, which is inconsistent with the predicted regime. Due to the complex geologic history, it is difficult to link open discontinuities to a distinct recent or past tectonic event. Regional stress-field data, as in this case, may not account for local, possibly highly significant, stress-field variations. The hydrogeologic importance of several factors related to groundwater occurrence, here presented, can be used as a working reference for future groundwater development programmes.     

Characterization of the Cretaceous aquifer structure of the Meskala region of the Essaouira Basin,Morocco

The aquifer of early Cretaceous age in the Meskala region of the Essaouira Basin is defined by interpretation of geological drilling data of oil and hydrogeological wells, field measurement and analysis of in situ fracture orientations, and the application of a morphostructural method to identify lineaments. These analyzes are used to develop a stratigraphic–structural model of the aquifer delimited by fault zones of two principal orientations: NNE and WNW. These fault zones define fault blocks that range in area from 4 to 150 km². These blocks correspond either to elevated zones (horsts) or depressed zones (grabens). This structural setting with faults blocks of Meskala region is in accordance with the structure of the whole Essaouira Basin. Fault zones disrupt the continuity of the aquifer throughout the study area, create recharge and discharge zones, and create dip to the units from approximately 10° to near vertical in various orientations. Fracture measurements and morphometric-lineament analyzes help to identify unmapped faults, and represent features important to groundwater hydraulics and water quality within fault blocks. The above geologic features will enable a better understanding of the behaviour and hydro-geo-chemical and hydrodynamics of groundwater in the Meskala aquifer.     

Hydrogeochemical and isotopic constraints on the origins of dryland salinity,Murray Basin,Victoria, Australia

Combined hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical data allow flow systems and the origins of solutes in the Honeysuckle Creek area of the southeastern Murray Basin, which is an area affected by dryland salinity, to be constrained. Recharge occurs both on the uplands that are composed of fractured Violet Town Volcanic rocks and the Riverine Plain that comprises sediments of the Shepparton and Coonambidgal Formations. Groundwater from the Violet Town Volcanics has low salinity (<20 mmol/L Cl) and major ion geochemistry that is controlled largely by dissolution of silicate minerals. Low Cl/Br ratios (as low as 281 molar) suggest that this groundwater has not dissolved halite. Groundwater that recharged through the Riverine Plain sediments has higher Cl/Br ratios (up to 1146) and Cl concentrations of <20 mmol/L, consistent with it dissolving minor halite. Higher salinity (>20 mmol/L) groundwater has intermediate Cl/Br ratios (600–1000), which indicate that the high salinities do not simply result from halite dissolution. Rather, mixing of groundwater homogenises Cl/Br ratios, and evaporation as a consequence of a shallow water table is the dominant process that increases salinity. Oxygen and H isotopes also indicate that mixing and evaporation have occurred. These results indicate that land use over the whole region, not just the uplands, needs to be considered in any salinity management plans. Additionally future development of salinity is controlled by depth to the water table on the plains and the efficiency of recharge rather than by salt stores (halite or brines) in the unsaturated zone.     

Lithologic and structural controls on fluvial knickzones in basalts of the Paraná Basin,Brazil

Knickzones are common features along rivers on the basaltic plateaus of the Paraná Basin. According to current conceptual models, knickpoints are formed in massive basalts that have a high density of vertical joints. Vesicular–amygdaloidal basalts and those with horizontal joints tend to form reaches of low slope due to their lower resistance to erosion. However, field surveys revealed complexities in this general relationship. The research presented here sought to verify the controls on the genesis of knickzones in this type of geological environment. We studied a 61 km-long mixed bedrock–alluvial river. The longitudinal profile of the river was surveyed on a topographic map with 5 m contour intervals. Tectonic lineaments oriented transverse to the channel and longitudinal lineaments in which the river lies were identified from maps. A detailed field survey of the lithologic characteristics of the riverbed was also performed. The results show that knickzones may form in any litho-structural zone in the flood basalts. On the other hand, low slope zones are predominantly sculpted into vesicular–amygdaloidal basalts, which are less resistant to erosion. The fracture densities of vesicular–amygdaloidal basalts are similar in low slope zones and in knickzones (4.86 and 4.93 m/m², respectively). This indicates that knickzones in this type of basalt are not caused by higher resistance to erosion. Approximately 60% of the 18 knickzones identified are associated with tectonic lineaments, irrespective of the structural characteristics of the basalts. Vesicular–amygdaloidal basalt and/or basalt with horizontal joints allow the fastest knickzone migration and aid in the formation of convexities. Knickpoints in these basalts do not migrate, but erosion in the pools advances downstream and breaks the bedrock steps, thus increasing the slope. Massive basalt with vertical joints causes slower migration, and its presence at convexities indicates local uplift. Convex segments are only formed upstream of faults.     

Brines in the Carboniferous Sydney Coalfield,Atlantic Canada

Formation waters within Upper Carboniferous sandstones in the sub-sea Prince and Phalen coal mines, Nova Scotia, originated as residual evaporative fluids, probably during the precipitation of Windsor Group (Lower Carboniferous) salts which underlie the coal measures. Salinity varies from 7800 to 176,000 mg/l, and the waters are Na–Ca–Cl brines enriched in Ca, Sr and Br and depleted in Na, K, Mg and SO₄ relative to the seawater evaporation curve. Br:Cl and Na:Cl ratios suggest that the brine composition corresponds to an evaporation ratio of as much as 30. The brines lie close to the meteoric line on H/O isotopic plots but with a compositional range of δ¹⁸O from −4.18 to −6.99 and of δD from −42.4 to −23.5, distant from modern meteoric or ocean water. Mine water composition contrasts with that of nearby salt-spring brines, which are inferred to have originated through dissolution of Windsor Group evaporites by modern meteoric waters. However, a contribution to the mine waters from halite dissolution and from Br in organic matter cannot be ruled out. Present concentrations of several elements in the brines can be explained by water–rock interaction. The original Windsor brines probably moved up into the overlying coal-measure sandstones along faults, prior to the Late Triassic. The high salinity and irregular salinity distribution in the Phalen sandstones suggests that the brines have undergone only modest dilution and are virtually immobile. In contrast, Prince waters show a progressive increase in salinity with depth and are inferred to have mixed with surface waters. Basinal brines from which these modern formation fluids were derived may have been important agents in base-metal and Ba mineralisation from the mid-Carboniferous onwards, as saline fluid inclusions are common in Zn–Pb sulphide deposits in the region.     

The relationship between regional stress field,fracture orientation and depth of weathering and implications for groundwater prospecting in crystalline rocks

In a uniform granite gneiss study area in central Zimbabwe, lineaments oriented parallel to the maximum regional compressive stress orientation exhibit the thickest regolith development, while lineaments oriented perpendicular to the maximum compressive stress show the shallowest development of weathered regolith. The principal fracture set orientations were mapped using aerial imagery. The regional stress field, estimated from global stress maps, was used to determine the stresses acting on each principal lineament orientation. Multi-electrode resistivity profiling was carried out across fractures with different orientations to determine their subsurface regolith conditions. The results indicate that the 360 and 060° lineaments, which are sub-parallel to the principal compressive stress orientation (σ₁) exhibit maximum development of the regolith, while 130° lineaments perpendicular to σ₁ do not exhibit significant regolith development. Since regolith thickness has been positively correlated with groundwater resources, it is suggested that fractures with orientations sub-parallel to the principal compressive stress direction constitute favourable groundwater targets. Knowledge of the regional stress field and fracture set orientations can be used as an effective low cost tool for locating potentially higher yielding boreholes in crystalline rock terrains.     

Lineaments in the central part of the Moscow Syneclise and their relations to faults in the basement

It is well known that very few young faults have been recorded within the vast territories of ancient platforms that are overlain by a virtually undeformed sedimentary cover of Phanerozoic sediments. At the same time, interpretation of topographic maps of various scales, aerial photographs, and satellite images reveals predominantly linear and occasionally arcuate zones (lineaments), some of which coincide with large fracture zones related to the Riphean rifts and grabens in the platform basement. Elevated emanations of hydrogen, radon, helium, and other gases were detected over some of the lineaments, thus indicating anomalous permeability of these zones in comparison with the adjacent areas. An opinion was stated that the elevated permeability of these fault zones is provided by block vibrations as a response to lunisolar tide effects. The lineaments are of a great environmental significance because they are conduits of groundwater migration. The origin of lineaments in the platform sedimentary cover and their relations to structural elements in the basement, to evolution, and to causes of activity have provoked great interest.     

四川盆地喜马拉雅期张扭性断裂构造特征及形成机制

前人对四川盆地盆缘冲断带及川中高-磨地区断裂系统进行了系统性研究,但对于盆地其他区块断裂发育特征、形成演化及应力背景的认识尚不充分.发现了梓潼-成都-威远-华蓥山-广安地区震旦系-下三叠统地层中发育的一套区域性张扭性断裂,主要自震旦系及以下地层向上延伸切穿二叠系地层,多为高陡、小断距正断层,部分形成负花状构造.根据该断裂系统的剖面产状、纵向穿层特征及盆地范围内体现出的分异性,推断该断裂系统形成于喜马拉雅期.物理模拟实验研究发现该断裂体系应发育于扭张性应力环境中,该断裂体系的发育指示了四川盆地内部新生代存在南西-北东向张应力,可能与四川盆地新生代发生的逆时针旋转有关.      

Geophysical and geomorphological approach for locating groundwater potential zones in Sukinda chromite mining area

The impact of mining causes deterioration of environment and decline of groundwater level in the adjoining mining areas, which influences groundwater source for domestic and agriculture purposes. This necessitated locating and exploiting of new groundwater source. A fast, cost-effective and economical way of locating and exploration is to study and analyze remote sensing data. Interpreted remote sensing data were used to select sites for carrying out surface geophysical investigations. Various geomorphologic units were demarcated, and the lineaments were identified by interpretation of false color composite satellite imageries. The potential for occurrence of groundwater in the Sukinda Valley was classified as very good, good, moderate and poor by interpreting the images. Sub-surface geophysical investigations, namely vertical electrical soundings, were carried out to delineate and demarcate potential water-bearing zones. Integrated studies of interpretation of geomorphologic, lineaments and geophysical data (aquifer thickness) were used to prepare groundwater potential map. The studies reveal that the groundwater potential of shallow aquifers is due to geomorphologic features, and the potential of deeper aquifers is determined by lineaments and degree of weathering.     

Analysis of subsurface magnetic features of the southeast of Al-Muwayh quadrangle,Saudi Arabia,using aeromagnetic data

Aeromagnetic data have been utilized to investigate the subsurface features of the southeast of Al-Muwayh quadrangle. Several techniques have been comprehensively used in an integrative way to reach the goals. Local phase and normalized standard deviation filters are used in this study as edge detectors, showing the possible occurrences of structural lineaments/faults in the quadrangle. Magnitude magnetic transform filters are used to produce anomalies that are closer to the true horizontal position of magnetic sources to enhance the interpretation. Among these transforms, a transform which has been used as edge detectors and the other two transforms are used to show the shallow and the shallowest magnetic sources within the study area. Tilt angle is mainly used to delineate the main magnetic contacts (faults), their locations, and their expected depths. The integration between these different filters show clearly the possible occurrences of edges (contacts/faults), the direction of these lineaments, the source locations of magnetic anomalies, the shallow and the shallowest causative targets, and the location and the depths of the main faults deduced from the tilt angle approach.     

Groundwater flow dynamics in the complex aquifer system of Gidabo River Basin (Ethiopian Rift): a multi-proxy approach

Hydrochemical and isotope data in conjunction with hydraulic head and spring discharge observations were used to characterize the regional groundwater flow dynamics and the role of the tectonic setting in the Gidabo River Basin, Ethiopian Rift. Both groundwater levels and hydrochemical and isotopic data indicate groundwater flow from the major recharge area in the highland and escarpment into deep rift floor aquifers, suggesting a deep regional flow system can be distinguished from the shallow local aquifers. The δ¹⁸O and δ²H values of deep thermal (≥30 °C) groundwater are depleted relative to the shallow (<60 m below ground level) groundwater in the rift floor. Based on the δ¹⁸O values, the thermal groundwater is found to be recharged in the highland around 2,600 m a.s.l. and on average mixed with a proportion of 30 % shallow groundwater. While most groundwater samples display diluted solutions, δ¹³C data of dissolved inorganic carbon reveal that locally the thermal groundwater near fault zones is loaded with mantle CO₂, which enhances silicate weathering and leads to anomalously high total dissolved solids (2,000–2,320 mg/l) and fluoride concentrations (6–15 mg/l) exceeding the recommended guideline value. The faults are generally found to act as complex conduit leaky barrier systems favoring vertical mixing processes. Normal faults dipping to the west appear to facilitate movement of groundwater into deeper aquifers and towards the rift floor, whereas those dipping to the east tend to act as leaky barriers perpendicular to the fault but enable preferential flow parallel to the fault plane.     

Source of salinity in the groundwater of Lenjanat Plain,Isfahan, Iran

The present study aimed at identifying the salinity source in the groundwater of Lenjanat Plain. To do so, non-isotopic geochemical methods were employed: groundwater samples were collected seasonally from 33 wells widespread in the area, and physicochemical parameters as well as major and minor elements were measured in the 132 samples. The data collected from the field and laboratory measurements were interpreted through statistical and hydrogeochemical graphs, mass ratios and saturation indexes obtained from modeling. The results revealed that hydrogeochemical properties of the study aquifer were controlled by rock/water interactions including ion exchange, dissolution of evaporation deposits (halite and gypsum) and precipitation/dissolution of carbonates. Based on the values of Cl/Br ratio in Lenjanat groundwater (329–4,492), dissolution of evaporation deposits in aquifer was the main cause for groundwater salinity. Considering the Lenjanat groundwater geochemical properties, the data confirm the reported Cl/Br ratios for groundwater affected by the dissolution of evaporation deposits (Cl/Br > 300) and overlaps with the range of Cl/Br ratios for domestic sewage effluent groundwater. Selecting the best chemical components and their ratios in non-isotopic geochemical methods provides an accurate distinction between sources of groundwater salinity.     

湖北潜江凹陷古近系深层富钾卤水成因及演化

地下深层富钾卤水是非常重要的钾盐资源,目前很少从区域尺度系统研究沉积盆地中富钾卤水水化学特征及成因.对潜江凹陷深层富钾卤水进行了主、微量元素分析.研究区卤水矿化度为125.70～347.00 g/L,K含量为0.32～6.83 g/L;富集Li、B、I、Na、Cl,亏损Mg、Br,Ca、SO4有富集也有亏损.储层岩石矿...