Combined ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity applications exploring groundwater potential zones in granitic terrain

Frequent failures of monsoons have forced to opt the groundwater as the only source of irrigation in non-command areas. Groundwater exploration in granitic terrain of dry land agriculture has been a major concern for farmers and water resource authorities. The hydrogeological complexities and lack of understanding of the aquifer systems have resulted in the failure of a majority of the borehole drillings in India. Hence, a combination of geophysical tools comprising ground-penetrating radar (GPR), multielectrode resistivity imaging (MERI), and vertical electrical sounding (VES) has been employed for pinpointing the groundwater potential zones in dry land agricultural of granitic terrain in India. Results obtained and verified with each other led to the detection of a saturated fracture within the environs. In GPR scanning, a 40-MHz antenna is used with specifications of 5 dielectric constant, 600 scans/nS, and 40 m depth. The anomalies acquired on GPR scans at various depths are confirmed with low-resistivity ranges of 27–50?Ω m at 23 and 27 m depths obtained from the MERI. Further, drilling with a down-the-hole hammer was carried out at two recommended sites down to 50–70 m depth, which were complimentary of VES results. The integrated geophysical anomalies have good agreement with the drilling lithologs validating the MERI and GPR data. The yields of these bore wells varied from 83 to 130 l/min. This approach is possible and can be replicated by water resource authorities in thrust areas of dry land environs of hard rock terrain around the world.     

Integrated studies for characterization of lineaments used to locate groundwater potential zones in a hard rock region of Karnataka, India

An integrated study was carried out to investigate the subsurface geological conditions in a hard rock environment, with the aim of identifying zones with groundwater resource potential. The study, in Bairasagara watershed, Karnataka, India, considered geomorphology, water level, resistivity imaging, self potential, total magnetic field and susceptibility. The signatures due to lineaments have been clearly identified and their role in groundwater movement has been documented. Synthetic simulation methods were used to model the electrical response of the lineament using finite differential modeling scheme. The inverted image of the field data is compared with the synthetic image and iteration were performed on the initial model until a best match was obtained resulting on the generation of the calibrated resistivity image of the subsurface. Resistivity imaging revealed that the dykes are weathered/fractured to a depth of 6–8 m and are compact at deeper levels, and that they behave as barriers to groundwater movement, yet facilitate a good groundwater potential zone on the upgradient side. The results of magnetic surveys were utilized in differentiating granites and dolerite dykes with an insignificant resistivity contrast. Geomorphological expression alone cannot reveal the groundwater potential associated with a lineament. However, characterizing the nature of the feature at depth with integrated geophysical methods provides essential information for assessing that potential.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Integrated studies for characterization of lineaments used to locate groundwater potential zones in a hard rock region of Karnataka, India

An integrated study was carried out to investigate the subsurface geological conditions in a hard rock environment, with the aim of identifying zones with groundwater resource potential. The study, in Bairasagara watershed, Karnataka, India, considered geomorphology, water level, resistivity imaging, self potential, total magnetic field and susceptibility. The signatures due to lineaments have been clearly identified and their role in groundwater movement has been documented. Synthetic simulation methods were used to model the electrical response of the lineament using finite differential modeling scheme. The inverted image of the field data is compared with the synthetic image and iteration were performed on the initial model until a best match was obtained resulting on the generation of the calibrated resistivity image of the subsurface. Resistivity imaging revealed that the dykes are weathered/fractured to a depth of 6–8 m and are compact at deeper levels, and that they behave as barriers to groundwater movement, yet facilitate a good groundwater potential zone on the upgradient side. The results of magnetic surveys were utilized in differentiating granites and dolerite dykes with an insignificant resistivity contrast. Geomorphological expression alone cannot reveal the groundwater potential associated with a lineament. However, characterizing the nature of the feature at depth with integrated geophysical methods provides essential information for assessing that potential.The online version of the original article can be found at     

Collapse hazard assessment in evaporitic materials from ground penetrating radar: a case study

Evaporitic materials have been studied by means of ground penetrating radar (GPR) in order to evaluate the collapse hazard. The obtained 200 MHz GPR profiles show a low signal-noise ratio over the first 3 m depth, where well-defined and continuous reflectors can be observed. Between 3 and 4.5 m depth, the signal to noise ratio decreases due to attenuation of the electromagnetic (EM) waves. As a result, reflectors located deeper than 3 m become more discontinuous and poorly defined. GPR profiles show trails of continuous and subhorizontal reflectors, with a slightly undulated and irregular geometry. Although some of these reflectors laterally vanish or seem to disappear, sudden interruptions or hyperbolic reflections that could be originated by the occurrence of cavities have not been detected. These reflectors have been interpreted as corresponding to several evaporitic layers (gypsum) that constitute the main lithology in the area. Clear interruptions of reflectors have only been observed in some GPR profiles, and they could be attributed to small (1–2 m long) subvertical faults, with only a few centimetres offset. These faults may be generated by the accommodation of the evaporitic layers to local collapses affecting deeper materials.     

山脊急拐弯处地下局部含泥带揭露及成因解释——以广东CSNS场地为例

在广东南部低山丘陵区剥蚀卸荷作用或许会导致地下一定深度地应力弱化和局部破碎泥化带生成,这一猜想在中国散裂中子源（CSNS）场地工程地质勘察中得到了证实。电法物探剖面显示出地形上山脊由330°急转为220°向急拐弯处地下局部低阻区、4个钻孔中揭露了完整变粒岩中蚀变长英质变质石英砂岩部位30~40 m深度范围出现局部泥化带。后续施工开挖中也揭露出此现象。数值模拟表明,受剥蚀卸荷影响的山脊近直角拐弯处一定深度范围内应力降低,靠近岩脉与变粒岩接触带岩体质量局部变差,出现破碎带,并控制了地下水局部富集和邻近低洼沟谷中泉水的生成。本研究揭示了山脊突变对地应力和岩体结构的影响,可望为类似条件下地质异常分析提供一定借鉴。     

Resolving scales of aquifer heterogeneity using ground penetrating radar and borehole geophysical logging

Accurate and reliable characterization of aquifer heterogeneity remains one of the foremost problems in hydrogeology. In this study, ground penetrating radar (GPR) and borehole geophysical logging are used to investigate scales of heterogeneity present locally (<500 m laterally) within an outwash deposit comprised of inter-bedded and cross-bedded sands and gravels of glaciofluvial origin. At a small scale (<15 m laterally), gamma log data in adjacent boreholes show evidence of fining upward sequences, occasional coarsening upward sequences, and abrupt changes in grain sizes, which appear to be laterally continuous at scales of 10 m. At the site scale (<500 m laterally), GPR profiles show a strong reflection interpreted as the water table. Reflectors in the unsaturated zone are more clearly defined than those beneath the water table due to signal attenuation within the saturated sediments. Undulating to discontinuous reflectors at scales of 10–15 m are interpreted to result from interbedded and cross-bedded sands and gravels. A few laterally continuous horizontal to sub-horizontal reflectors, which extend at least up to 360 m, are interpreted as unconformities, based on evidence of gravel bars, truncation of underlying units, as well as scour and fill features in a nearby gravel pit exposure. Overall, the integration of these two geophysical methods provided evidence of unit correlation at the two scales of investigation.     

GPR studies over the tsunami affected Karaikal beach,Tamil Nadu,south India

In this study, results of GPR profiling related to mapping of subsurface sedimentary layers at tsunami affected Karaikal beach are presented . A 400 MHz antenna was used for profiling along 262 m stretch of transect from beach to backshore areas with penetration of about 2.0 m depth (50 ns two-way travel time). The velocity analysis was carried out to estimate the depth information along the GPR profile. Based on the significant changes in the reflection amplitude, three different zones are marked and the upper zone is noticed with less moisture compared to other two (saturated) zones. The water table is noticed to vary from 0.5 to 0.75 m depth (12–15 ns) as moving away from the coastline. Buried erosional surface is observed at 1.5 m depth (40–42 ns), which represents the limit up to which the extreme event acted upon. In other words, it is the depth to which the tsunami sediments have been piled up to about 1.5 m thickness. Three field test pits were made along the transect and sedimentary sequences were recorded. The sand layers, especially, heavy mineral layers, recorded in the test pits indicate a positive correlation with the amplitude and velocity changes in the GPR profile. Such interpretation seems to be difficult in the middle zone due to its water saturation condition. But it is fairly clear in the lower zone located just below the erosional surface where the strata is comparatively more compact. The inferences from the GPR profile thus provide a lucid insight to the subsurface sediment sequences of the tsunami sediments in the Karaikal beach.     

Hydrogeological and geophysical study for deeper groundwater resource in quartzitic hard rock ridge region from 2D resistivity data

Electrical resistivity method is a versatile and economical technique for groundwater prospecting in different geological settings due to wide spectrum of resistivity compared to other geophysical parameters. Exploration and exploitation of groundwater, a vital and precious resource, is a challenging task in hard rock, which exhibits inherent heterogeneity. In the present study, two-dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography (2D-ERT) technique using two different arrays, viz., pole–dipole and pole–pole, were deployed to look into high signal strength data in a tectonically disturbed hard rock ridge region for groundwater. Four selected sites were investigated. 2D subsurface resistivity tomography data were collected using Syscal Pro Switch-10 channel system and covered a 2 km long profile in a tough terrain. The hydrogeological interpretation based on resistivity models reveal the water horizons trap within the clayey sand and weathered/fractured quartzite formations. Aquifer resistivity lies between ～3–35 and 100–200 Ωm. The results of the resistivity models decipher potential aquifer lying between 40 and 88 m depth, nevertheless, it corroborates with the static water level measurements in the area of study. The advantage of using pole–pole in conjunction with the pole–dipole array is well appreciated and proved worth which gives clear insight of the aquifer extent, variability and their dimension from shallow to deeper strata from the hydrogeological perspective in the present geological context.     

巴彦诺日公地段花岗岩微裂隙发育特征研究

花岗岩是高放射核废料地质处置库的主要围岩之一,其水力学特征优劣直接决定了花岗岩体能否有效地阻隔地下水对处置库中核废物的侵袭。围岩微裂隙结构和化学风化程度是水力学特征的直观表现,微裂隙结构量化和化学风化程度计算对高放射核废料地质处置库埋藏深度的比选有一定的科学意义。本文以阿拉善某600 m的花岗岩钻孔内不同深度的岩芯作为研究对象,得到大量的微裂隙显微照片;通过测网法和图像处理技术,获得岩芯数字化的裂隙空间分布图像,并从中提取了微裂隙特征参数（裂隙条数、隙宽、裂隙率、裂隙面密度参数等）;然后,对微裂隙特征参数进行了统计分析,描述了裂隙空间分布变异性。花岗岩样品的化学风化程度评价指标有:天然含水率、CIA。同时,利用SEM-EDS探测裂隙部位形貌特征及元素含量等数据。最后,对花岗岩完整性与核废料处置库适宜性进行综合评价。通过本研究,得到了以下结论:（1）研究区的花岗岩微裂隙发育情况随深度增大逐渐变弱。（2）花岗岩受外力作用后微裂隙首先发育在石英中,其次是在长石和黑云母中。（3）临近破碎带,裂隙率、平均隙宽、裂隙条数均增大,同时受后期热液填充的影响,CIA也会表现出高值。（4）破碎带的发育,对周边完整岩体的微观破裂影响距离可以超过10.6 m,后期热液对下方完整岩体的侵染蚀变影响距离可以超过50.27 m。（5）通过综合评价,来自该钻孔不同深度的7个样品中,取自地下598.8 m处的样品所代表的位置最适宜作为核废料处置库深埋区。     

Structural control of weathering processes within exhumed granitoids: Compartmentalisation of geophysical properties by faults and fractures

In the latter stages of exhumation processes, rocks undergo weathering. Weathering halos have been described in the vicinity of structures such as faults, veins or dykes, with a lateral size gradually narrowing with depth, symmetrically around the structures.In this paper, we describe the geophysical characterisation of such alteration patterns on two granitoid outcrops of the Catalan Coastal Ranges (Spain), each of which is affected by one major fault, as well as minor faults and fractures. Seismic, electric and ground penetrating radar surveys were carried out to map the spatial distribution of P-wave velocity, electrical resistivity and to identify reflectors of electromagnetic waves. The analysis of this multi-method and complementary dataset revealed that, at shallow depth, geophysical properties of the materials are compartmentalised and asymmetric with respect to major and subsidiary faults affecting the rock mass. This compartmentalisation and asymmetry both tend to attenuate with depth, whereas the effect of weathering is more symmetric with respect to the major structure of the outcrops. We interpret such compartmentalisation as resulting from the role of hydraulic and mechanical boundaries played by subsidiary faults, which tend to govern both the chemical and physical alterations involved in weathering. Thus, the smoothly narrowing halo model is not always accurate, as weathering halos can be strongly asymmetrical and present highly irregular contours delimiting sharp contrasts of geophysical properties.These results should be considered when investigating and modelling fluid storage and transfer in top crystalline rock settings for groundwater applications, hydrocarbon or geothermal reservoirs, as well as mineral deposits.     

Spot Satellite Data For Exploration Of Fractured Aquifers In A Semi-Arid Area In Southeastern Botswana

In areas with little primary porosity and low bedrock hydraulic conductivity, hydrogeological properties are mainly determined by secondary factors, such as fracture zones and associated weathering. Fracture zones in areas with limited regolith cover are often detectable on satellite images as linear features originating mainly from pronounced vegatation anomalies, topographic effects or both. SPOT multispectral and panchromatic data of a 2000 km² semi-arid area in southeastern Botswana have, in this study, been merged and interpreted in an image processing system resulting in a detailed lineament map and a delineation of dry season vegetation. The lineament data have been analyzed in a geographical information system and correlation studies of borehole and geophysical data with satellite lineaments have been carried out. The study shows that a digital approach, using satellite data in combination with existing field data, can provide a time- and cost-effective tool for the identification and narrowing of target areas for groundwater exploration in semi-arid areas.     

Hydraulic conductivity characteristics in mountains and implications for conceptualizing bedrock groundwater flow

Influences of hydraulic conductivity (K) heterogeneities on bedrock groundwater (BG) flow systems in mountainous topography are investigated using a conceptual 2D numerical modelling approach. A conceptual model for K heterogeneity in crystalline bedrock mountainous environments is developed based on a review of previous research, and represents heterogeneities due to weathering profile, bedrock fracture characteristics, and catchment-scale (～0.1–1 km) structural features. Numerical groundwater modelling of K scenarios for hypothetical mountain catchment topography indicates that general characteristics of the BG flow directions are dominated by prominent topographic features. Within the modelled saturated BG flow system, ～90 % or more of total BG flux is focussed within a fractured bedrock zone, extending to depths of ～100–200 m below the ground surface, overlying lower-K bedrock. Structural features and heterogeneities, represented as discrete zones of higher or lower K relative to surrounding bedrock, locally influence BG flow, but do not influence general BG flow patterns or general positions of BG flow divides. This result is supported by similar BG transit-time distribution shapes and statistics for systems with and without structural features. The results support the development of topography-based methods for predicting general locations of BG flow-system boundaries in mountain regions.     

Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of ion-adsorption type REE mineralization in Phuket, Thailand

Geochemical and mineralogical studies were conducted on the 12-m-thick weathering profile of the Kata Beach granite in Phuket, Thailand, in order to reveal the transport and adsorption of rare earth elements (REE) related to the ion-adsorption type mineralization. The parent rock is ilmenite-series biotite granite with transitional characteristics from I type to S type, abundant in REE (592 ppm). REE are contained dominantly in fluorocarbonate as well as in allanite, titanite, apatite, and zircon. The chondrite-normalized REE pattern of the parent granite indicates enrichment of LREE relative to HREE and no significant Ce anomaly. The upper part of the weathering profile from the surface to 4.5 m depth is mostly characterized by positive Ce anomaly, showing lower REE contents ranging from 174 to 548 ppm and lower percentages of adsorbed REE from 34% to 68% compared with the parent granite. In contrast, the lower part of the profile from 4.5 to 12 m depth is characterized by negative Ce anomaly, showing higher REE contents ranging from 578 to 1,084 ppm and higher percentages from 53% to 85%. The negative Ce anomaly and enrichment of REE in the lower part of the profile suggest that acidic soil water in an oxidizing condition in the upper part mostly immobilized Ce⁴⁺ as CeO₂ and transported REE³⁺ downward to the lower part of the profile. The transported REE³⁺ were adsorbed onto weathering products or distributed to secondary minerals such as rhabdophane. The immobilization of REE results from the increase of pH due to the contact with higher pH groundwater. Since the majority of REE in the weathered granite are present in the ion-adsorption fraction with negative Ce anomaly, the percentages of adsorbed REE are positively correlated with the whole-rock negative Ce anomaly. The result of this study suggests that the ion-adsorption type REE mineralization is identified by the occurrence of easily soluble REE fluorocarbonate and whole-rock negative Ce anomaly of weathered granite. Although fractionation of REE in weathered granite is controlled by the occurrence of REE-bearing minerals and adsorption by weathering products, the ion-adsorption fraction tends to be enriched in LREE relative to weathered granite.     

Groundwater exploration and drilling problems encountered in basaltic and granitic terrain of Nanded district,Maharashtra

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) constructed 72 bore wells down to a targeted depth of 208 m in Nanded district, Maharashtra which is mainly underlain by hard rocks, namely basalts and granites. The yield of these bore wells varies from 0.10 litres/second (l/s) to 25 l/s and depth of weathering varies from less than 1 m to 24 meters below ground level (m bgl). The shallowest and the deepest aquifer zones are encountered at 7 and 172 m bgl respectively and majority of the productive aquifer zones are encountered within 100 meter (m) depth. Most productive zones are fractured basalts, fractured and weathered granites and 31 % of the zones are encountered within 25 m, 36 % within 25–50 m, 24 % within 50–100 m, 8 % within 100–150 m and less than 1 % within 150–173 m depth ranges. Out of the three major sets of lineaments, the NE-SW trending lineaments are more productive, and a maximum of five fracture zones are encountered in all. Surface geophysical studies (profiling) reveal that wherever the ratio between high resistivity and low resistivity is high, the discharge is high, and where the ratio is low the discharge is low. The depth to water level in these bore wells are in the range of 1.5–47.5 m bgl (below ground level). The transmissivity (T) and Storativity (S) values of 21 wells range from 3 to 593 m²/day and 6.5 × 10^?6 to 7.32 × 10^?2 respectively. The groundwater from the area is mostly of Ca-Na-HCO₃-Cl, Ca-Na-HCO₃, Ca-HCO₃-Cl, Na-HCO₃, Na-HCO₃-Cl, Na-Cl, Ca-HCO₃ types in the descending order of dominance and a few are found to be unsuitable for drinking. At a few sites, drilling down to the targeted depth of 200 m couldn’t be completed due to highly fractured nature of formations, hydraulic backpressure, occurrences of saturated intertrappean beds and high magnetic nature of formations.     

Investigation of seawater intrusion in the Dibdibba Aquifer using 2D resistivity imaging in the area between Al-Zubair and Umm Qasr,southern Iraq

Electrical resistivity surveying for delineating seawater intrusion was performed in the Dibdibba aquifer in the area between the cities of Al-Zubair–Safwan and Al-Zubair–Umm Qasr in the vicinity of Khor AL-Zubair Channel, Basrah governorate, southern Iraq. Fourteen 2D resistivity profiles with a total length of 14 km were collected in the study area. The resistivity sections were compared with lithological data extracted from 11 boreholes. Thirty-nine groundwater samples were collected within the area and analyzed for chemical constituents; internal hydrogeological reports and unpublished studies were also evaluated. Results reveal the existence of three major resistivity layers, ranging from 0.1 to 130 Ωm at various depths and locations. The first layer has very low electrical resistivity (0.1–5 Ωm) representing a layer saturated with saltwater intruded from Khor AL-Zubair Channel. The second layer shows resistivity in the range of 5–130 Ωm, attributed to a transition zone and an unaffected zone saturated with brackish groundwater. The last resistivity layer (<?3 Ωm) represents coarse-grain sediments saturated with saline groundwater. Furthermore, a hard clay bed (Jojab) appears with a resistivity of 3–7 Ωm in all 2D imaging lines within a depth of 20–28 m. Electrical conductivity (EC) measurements from seven wells collected in 2014 and 2016 show a positive EC difference increasing landward with an average increase of 1927 µS/cm. In addition, six chemical relationships (Na/Cl, [Ca?+?Mg]/[HCO₃?+?SO₄], SO₄/HCO₃, SO₄/Cl, Mg/Ca and Cl/[HCO₃?+?CO₃]) are used to detect the source of salinity in groundwater. This study proves that extensive use of high-resolution 2D imaging sections, alongside lithological and hydrogeological data, can serve as a useful tool to delineate the boundaries between aquifers, identify hydraulic boundaries between groundwater with different salinities and allocate hard clay layers between the upper and lower Dibdibba aquifer. In general, the combination of 2D imaging and hydrochemistry enables conceptualization of the hydrogeological situation in the subsurface and characterization of the salinity source, here seawater intrusion, in the study area. There have been no studies published so far on the characteristics of saltwater intrusion in the study area, and this study is considered to be important for monitoring and studying the intrusion and regression of seawater.     

The gravity method in groundwater exploration in crystalline rocks: a study in the peninsular granitic region of Hyderabad, India

The application of variations in the earth's gravity in groundwater exploration on a regional scale, especially in sedimentary basins, metamorphic terrains, valley fills, and for buried alluvial channels, is well established. However, its use in hard crystalline rocks is little known. In granite, for example, the upper weathered layer is a potential primary aquifer, and the underlying fractured rock can form a secondary aquifer. Fracturing and weathering increases the porosity of a rock, thereby reducing the bulk density. Changes in gravity anomalies of 0.1–0.7 mGal for granites, due to weathering or variations in lithology, can be detected. To test the use of gravity as a groundwater exploration tool for crystalline rocks, a gravity survey of the peninsular shield granites underlying Osmania University Campus, Hyderabad, India, was undertaken. At the site, gravity anomalies reflect variations in the lithology and in the thickness of weathered zones. These anomalies also define the position of intrusives and lineaments. Areas of more deeply weathered granite that contain wells of higher groundwater yield are represented by negative gravity values. In the weathered zone, well yield has an inverse relation to the magnitudes of residual gravity. The study confirms the feasibility of gravity as a tool for groundwater exploration in crystalline rocks. Electronic Publication     

梧州市巨厚层花岗岩风化壳垂直分带标准及工程地质特征研究

本文选择华南地区巨厚层花岗岩风化壳分布区的梧州市为研究区,旨在建立系统的、科学的、可操作性强的花岗岩风化壳垂直分带划分标准。在野外区域调查、钻探、原位试验、室内试验、综合研究的基础之上,建立了定性与定量复合判定的指标体系,对梧州市花岗岩风化壳进行了垂直分带以及工程地质特征研究。研究结果表明:(1)粒度分析法可以作为花岗岩风化壳垂直分带划分的方法之一,划分结果与原位试验划分结果具有很好的一致性;(2)残积土带、全风化带、强风化带中含量占比最大的土体分别是黏粒土、粉粒土、砂粒土。随着钻孔深度的增加,粒径相对较大的砾粒和砂粒含量占比逐渐增大,粒径相对较小的粉粒和黏粒含量占比逐渐减小。粒径0.05 mm为残积土带、全风化带、强风化带曲线交叉的分界处,该处土体含量百分比近似相等,揭示粒径0.05 mm值是花岗岩风化壳垂直分带划分的重要指标之一;(3)随着钻进深度的增加,圆锥动力触探试验击数与标准贯入试验击数同时增加,修正后的标准贯入击数N和圆锥动力触探击数N_63.5呈多项式相关性。本文建立了花岗岩风化壳垂直分带划分标准,给出了花岗岩风化壳土体地基承载力建议值,对花岗岩分布区的重大工程建设与工程地质特征参数的选取具有一定的指导与参照意义。     

Origin,lithology and weathering characteristics of Upper Tertiary ‐ Quaternary clay aquitard units on the Lower Murrumbidgee alluvial fan

The Lower Murrumbidgee alluvial fan at the eastern edge of the Murray Basin is comprised of high‐yielding coarse‐grained aquifers and interlayered fine‐grained deposits that exert an important control on recharge and vertical leakage of contaminants such as salt. Concerns over increasingly saline shallow groundwater, particularly in irrigation areas, has focused investigations on the depositional origin and spatial distribution of these fine‐grained deposits (aquitard units), which may constitute both a source of leachable salt and a barrier to leakage. Detailed laboratory analysis of a minimally disturbed core to 83m depth, obtained from a drillhole adjacent to an irrigation bore, was augmented with geophysical investigations from this and other boreholes near the apex of the alluvial fan. Previously mapped clay units (aquitards) are redefined as clayey silts based on clay content variation between 10% and 30%. Mineralogical and lithostratigraphic evidence for three clayey silt units is presented: a lower unit (75–83m), a middle unit (45–64m) and an upper unit (0–16m). Electrical image surveys indicate that the upper unit is discontinuous, interrupted by large palaeodrainage features probably containing sands and gravels. These palaeodrainage channels are buried beneath a veneer of clay and significantly increase recharge and leakage. Some evidence suggests an aeolian component near the surface and within the middle clayey silt unit. However, mixing with fluvial deposits and subsequent weathering has also occurred. The clayey silt units are extensively weathered and oxidised, with the degree of oxidation increasing towards the surface and adjacent to aquifers saturated with oxygenated groundwater. Post‐depositional weathering of the middle and lower units may also have been associated with leaching of salts. No salt remains in the middle and lower units, but 10.2kg/m² is stored within 15m of the surface at the Tubbo site. The upper clayey silt unit is a significant source of leachable salt, which is associated with increasing shallow groundwater salinity at some sites.     

Structural framework of the Jaibaras Rift,Brazil, based on geophysical data

The Cambro-Ordovician Jaibaras Rift is a NE–SW trending elongated feature, controlled by the Transbrasiliano lineament, locally known as Sobral-Pedro II shear zone (SPIISZ). An integrated study of geophysical data (gammaspectrometry, magnetometry and gravimetry) was undertaken in the Jaibaras Rift area, between Ceará Central (CCD) and Médio Coreaú domains (MCD), northwest Borborema Province. Geophysical data were interpreted qualitatively and quantitatively in order to understand the tectono-magmatic relations and rift formation based on the main geophysical lineaments, source geometry and depth, and separation of geophysical domains. In addition, a 2D gravity model was generated. The results show a structural partition characterized by NE–SW lineaments and E–W inflexions, where CCD presents a relatively mild magnetic field, whilst the MCD field is more disturbed. The Jaibaras Rift is characterized by positive magnetic and gravity anomalies. The SPIISZ, which corresponds to the SE fault edge of the Jaibaras Rift, is marked by strong magnetic dipoles and strong gravity gradients in the profile, showing the deep character of the Transbrasiliano lineament in the region. The Café-Ipueiras fault, at the NW edge of the rift, is well marked in gravity profiles, but displays low contrast of the magnetic field. Interpretation of the gravimetric anomaly map allowed to recognizing the main NE–SW axis, with alternation of maxima and minima in MCD. A regional gravity gradient reveals significant lateral density variation between the MCD and CCD perpendicular to the SPIISZ, emphasizing it as a main continental suture zone between crustal blocks.     

Geophysical constraints of shear zones and geometry of the Hiltaba Suite granites in the western Gawler Craton,Australia

The emplacement of the ca 1590–1575 Ma Hiltaba Suite granites records a large magmatic event throughout the Gawler Craton, South Australia. The Hiltaba Suite granites intrude the highly deformed Archaean‐Palaeoproterozoic rocks throughout the craton nuclei. Geophysical interpretation of the poorly exposed central western Gawler Craton suggests that the region can be divided into several distinct domains that are bounded by major shear zones, exhibiting a sequence of overprinting relationships. The north‐trending Yarlbrinda Shear Zone merges into the east‐trending Yerda Shear Zone that, in turn, merges into the northeast‐trending Coorabie Shear Zone. Several poorly exposed Hiltaba Suite granite plutons occur within a wide zone of crustal shearing that is bounded to the north by the Yerda Shear Zone and to the south by the Oolabinnia Shear Zone. This wide zone of crustal shearing is interpreted as a major zone of synmagmatic dextral strike‐slip movement that facilitated the ascent of Hiltaba Suite granite intrusions to the upper crust. The aeromagnetic and gravity data reveal that the intrusions are ～15–25 km in diameter. Forward modelling of the geophysical data shows that the intrusions have a tabular geometry and are less than 6 km deep.