Schematic zoning of the region of the Caspian artesian basin with respect to the formation of the chemical composition of underground waters in the upper hydro-geodynamic zone

The hydrogeochemical zoning of the region of the Caspian artesian basin was considered on the basis of the corresponding revealed parameters. The consideration was based upon the natural-historic analysis of the landscape-climatic, geological, hydrogeological, and hydrogeochemical data. The subject of the study was the upper hydrogeodynamic zone of the Caspian artesian basin.     

Hydrogeological conditions of the Pre-Yenisei petroleum subprovince

The study presents results of a hydrogeological and hydrogeological research conducted on the Mesozoic–Cenozoic sedimentary cover and Precambrian–Paleozoic platform deposits of the Pre-Yenisei petroleum subprovince. The hydrogeological structure of the study area is found to be of a transition type from the West Siberian to Tunguska artesian basins, with its own set of pertinent parameters, such as groundwater depths, rock permeabilities, water chemistry and gas compositions, gas saturation, vertical zoning, etc. The upper part of the sedimentary section is known to be flushed with the infiltration waters to depths of 2–2.5 km. The deeper intervals contain the older sedimentary waters with the moderate metamorphic grade. The results of the study provide implications for the petroleum potential of the area of interest.     

Formation of mineral and thermal waters of some artesian basins in Russia

Artesian basins contain the largest mineral water resources of the world. There are several types of mineral therapeutic water: sulfate, chloride, radon-rich, iron-rich waters, etc. Artesian basins occupy very large areas in Russia. However, genesis of water and brines is still not very clear. This is one of the most important hydrogeological problems that is being attempted to solve for many years. Most of the Russian hydrogeologists traditionally consider that these waters are of sedimentary origin. However, higher concentrations of bromine, iodine, iron, radon and other balneologically active components can be of different origin, for example, of infiltration or juvenile water. As an example, two areas will be considered – West-Siberian basin and East-European artesian area.West-Siberian artesian basin has very distinct latitudinal and vertical zonation. Latitudinal zonation is caused by climate changes from north to south. As for the vertical zonation, mineralization and chemical composition change in the vertical cross-section and from the periphery to the center within the same aquifer. The main mineral water resources of West-Siberian artesian basin are concentrated in Mesozoic rocks. Brackish waters and low-saturated brines without specific components are used for medical purposes. The most well-known spa is Karachi, which exploits chloride-hydrocarbonate brackish water. Sodium chloride bromine and iodine-bromine waters are used at other health resorts. It is possible to organize extraction of iodine from brines of Tcherkashinsko-Tobolskoe occurrence in Tumen region.East-European artesian area occupies most of the Russian Platform. The most widespread types of mineral water within the Russian Platform are sodium-chloride and magnesium-sulfate waters and brines. Such well-known spas, like Moscow mineral waters, Krainka, Staraya Russa and many others, belong to this type. Resources of these waters are definitely connected with sedimentogenic processes. The upper hydrodynamic zone contains iron-rich, hydrogen sulfide, and sometimes radon-rich water. Their formation is caused by the interaction between waters of infiltration and sedimentary genesis, or between infiltration waters and host rocks. One of the examples is Polustrovo iron-rich water. There are industrially valuable waters containing bromine and iodine.The resources of therapeutic water of sedimentary basins allow to increase balneological potential of spas in Russia.     

Assessment of aquifer vulnerability based on GIS and DRASTIC methods: a case study of the Senirkent-Uluborlu Basin (Isparta, Turkey)

Aquifer vulnerability has been assessed in the Senirkent-Uluborlu Basin within the Egirdir Lake catchment (Turkey) using the DRASTIC method, based on a geographic information system (GIS). There is widespread agriculture in the basin, and fertilizer (nitrate) and pesticide applications have caused groundwater contamination as a result of leaching. According to hydrogeological data from the study area, surface water and groundwater flow are towards Egirdir Lake. Hence, aquifer vulnerability in the basin should be determined by water quality in Egirdir Lake. DRASTIC layers were prepared using data such as rainfall, groundwater level, aquifer type, and hydraulic conductivity. These data were obtained from hydrogeological investigations and literature. A regional-scale aquifer-vulnerability map of the basin was prepared using overlay analysis with the aid of GIS. A DRASTIC vulnerability map, verified by nitrate in groundwater data, shows that the defined areas are compatible with land-use data. It is concluded that 20.8% of the basin area is highly vulnerable and urgent pollution-preventions measures should be taken for every kind of relevant activity within the whole basin.     

The Caspian Sea Basin: Tectonic Events and Sedimentation at the Turn of the Early‒Middle Carboniferrous and the Formation of Oil and Gas Reservoirs

Geotectonics - A structural-facies map of the Bashkir stage of the Caspian basin, the southeastern part of the East European platform and the Turan plate is compiled on the basis of drilling data...     

Lithology and Depositional Environments of Chaudian Sediments in the Taman Peninsula (Pekla and Tuzla Reference Sections)

The Chaudian sediments composing the Pekla and Tuzla sections are characterized by a variable lithology and transgressive structure. Their basal part is mainly composed of coarse terrigenous varieties with diverse structures indicating different depositional settings in the accumulation zone (shelf and upper part of the submarine slope). These sediments are characterized by strong lithification probably in subaerial environments under the influence of atmospheric precipitation. The Chaudian basin was a large brackish-water depression populated by malacofauna of the Caspian type.     

乌鲁木齐河流域地下水水位监测网设计

文章阐述了乌鲁木齐河流域区域地下水水位监测网的优化设计。基于ARCGIS技术,运用水文地质学方法在叠加合成地下水动态类型分区图的基础上优化设计了区域地下水水位监测网密度;采用时间序列分析方法确定了地下水水位监测频率。首期施工安装了11个新的长期专门监测孔;对73个现有监测孔进行了维修并安装了孔口保护装置,安装了28套水位自动监测仪,初步实现了地下水水位的自动监测。     

布尔津盆地西部凹陷铀成矿水文地球化学条件初探

根据水成铀矿床理论，本在论述布尔津盆地水动力及水化学特征的基础上，通过资料综合整理，着重分析西部凹陷第三系层间水的铀水迁移分带规律，对层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿成矿水地球化学条件进行初步探讨。     

松辽盆地西南部层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿找矿方向

松辽盆地西南部层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿找矿方向赵忠华刘广传崔长远（核工业东北地质局２４０研究所,沈阳１１００３２）关键词开鲁盆地层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿找矿松辽盆地西南部系指内蒙古自治区哲里木盟及昭乌达盟所辖地区,西临大兴安岭,南依辽西山地,面积约６００００...     

陕甘宁盆地层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿成矿远景研究

与已知产有层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿化的“造山带型”盆地相比,“陆台型”的陕甘宁盆地无论是在盆地产出的地球动力学背景、成盆后水文地质的演化,还是在成矿作用的动力——造山作用的表现形式上都有明显的差异,因而中亚地区层间氧化带型铀矿的区域预测准则可能并不完全适用。本文从陕甘宁盆地独特的区域地质条件出发,详细研究了盆地中新生代盖层的水文地质条件,划分了水文地质旋回,据此阐明了盆内层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿的产出前景,指出该类铀矿化的找矿靶区,并进一步预测了成矿的深度。     

Evaluation of aquifers vulnerability to contamination in the Yarmouk River basin, Jordan, based on DRASTIC method

The existing different human activities and planned land uses put the groundwater resources in Jordan at considerable risk. There are evidences suggesting that the quality of groundwater supplies in north Jordan is under threat from a wide variety of point and non-point sources including agricultural, domestic, and industrial. Vulnerability maps are designed to show areas of greatest potential for groundwater contamination on the basis of hydrogeological conditions and human impacts. DRASTIC method incorporates the major geological and hydrogeological factors that affect and control groundwater movement: depth to groundwater (D), net recharge (R), lithology of the aquifer (A), soil texture (S), topography (T), lithology of vadose zone (I), and hydraulic conductivity (C). The main goal of this study is to produce vulnerability maps of groundwater resources in the Yarmouk River basin by applying the DRASTIC method to determine areas where groundwater protection or monitoring is critical. ArcGIS 9.2 was used to create the groundwater vulnerability maps by overlaying the available hydrogeological data. The resulting vulnerability maps were then integrated with lineament and land use maps as additional parameters in the DRASTIC model to assess more accurately the potential risk of groundwater to pollution. The general DRASTIC index indicates that the potential for polluting groundwater is low in the whole basin, whereas the resulting pesticide DRASTIC vulnerability map indicates that about 31% of the basin is classified as having moderate vulnerability, which may be attributed to agricultural activities in the area. Although high nitrate concentrations were found in areas of moderate vulnerability, DRASTIC method did not depict accurately the nitrate distribution in the area.     

Characteristics of karst groundwater system in the northern basin of Laiyuan Spring area

Guided by the theory of groundwater system, based on the groundwater level data from the northern basin of Laiyuan Spring area, the authors took into account factors such as the lithology, geological structure and topography to study the relationship between groundwater recharge, runoff and drainage in this area. It was concluded that the infiltration of atmospheric precipitation is the main source of groundwater supply in this area; the upper layer of the Spring area is distributed with the Cambrian-Lower Ordovician karst water, and the lower layer is filled with the Jixian system karst water. The upper layer of karst water supplies to the lower layer of karst water or the pore water in loose strata through the fault while the lower layer of karst water runs to the three strong runoff belts from the east and west sides of the watershed, southwards into the basin, partially replenishing the pore water in loose strata, or forming fault Springs (e.g. Nanguan Spring, Beihai Spring) when dolomite movement encounters faults. Replenished by atmospheric precipitation and the upper and lower layers of karst waters, the pore water in loose strata joins the groundwater in the southern basin and then flows eastwards, in the end it flows out of the system in Shangfanpu. Through the analyses of groundwater level data and hydrogeological drilling data, based on groundwater D and 18O isotope test results, the karst groundwater circulation system in the northern basin of Laiyuan Spring area is further verified, which provides hydrogeological basis for water resources development and utilization as well as protection in this area.     

Density inhomogeneities, isostasy and flexural rigidity of the lithosphere in the Transcaspian region

The 3-D lithospheric-density model for the southeastern part of the Caspian Sea and the Transcaspian area, practically coinciding with the territory of the Turkmen Republic, has been constructed based on geophysical data and in accordance with the principle of isostasy. From the model selected the anomalous density of the subcrustal layer between the Moho discontinuity and the 100-km depth level is found to be — 100 kg/m³ under the Tien-Shan, − 50 kg/m³ under the Kopet-Dag mountain area, + 80 kg/m³ under the central region of the South Caspian basin, −50 kg/m³ under the eastern part of the basin, known as the West Turkmenian depression, and + 45 kg/m³ under the Murgab depression.

Significant disturbances of the local isostasy are determined both in the northern and central areas of the South Caspian basin and also in the area of the Kara-Bogaz swell of the Turan platform and for the Kopet-Dag foredeep. indicating a high level of stresses in the lithosphere. The shape of the Turan plate determined by the seismic profiling is accounted for by elastic deformation resulting from the forces acting on the southern edge of the plate in the area of the Turan plate-Kopet-Dag collision. The elastic thickness of the Turan plate is estimated as 25 ± 5 km. The results obtained seem to confirm the idea that the decomposition of the Turan plate has taken place in the zone of the plates interaction and the decomposed material is situated under the Kopet-Dag ridge.

We propose that the Kara-Bogaz swell is supported by the mantle material upwelling whereas the subsidence of the adjacent part of the South Caspian basin may be due to the downgoing mantle flow i.e., a small convection cell is suggested in that area.     

Compilation of hydrogeological map of China

Hydrogeological map is one of the important carriers of groundwater related information. It directly reflects the hydrogeological conditions and previous investigation and research results of a mapping area. The hydrogeological map of China is a map reflecting the characteristics of hydrogeology and groundwater dynamics on a national scale. On the basis of the hydrogeological map of China (1: 4 000 000) compiled in 1988, this map compilation attempted to update and enhance the existing map, with the latest survey results from the project of National Investigation and Evaluation of Groundwater Resources and Environmental Problems led by China Geological Survey. Task of the mapping program included redefining groundwater types, quantifying the classification standard of the groundwater and adding the pore-fissure water in laterite layer of hilly basin. The multilayer structures for porous, karst and porous-fractured groundwater and their water-rich grades are reflected on the map. Based on the comprehensive summary of the latest hydrogeological data of China, this research conducts an in-depth analysis of the regional distribution characteristics of groundwater in China, utilizes a digital mapping process and establishes a cartographic database for the purpose of further use. With the enrichment of the content and the continuous improvement of cognitive level, mapping content can be updated quickly, which has practical significance for the concept of surveying and mapping and scientific popularization.     

The hydrogeology of the Ballimore region,central New South Wales,Australia: an integrated study

The integrated use of geophysical, geological, hydrogeochemical and hydrogeological data has allowed the development of a plausible conceptual model for groundwater flow in the Ballimore region. A realistic model for this under-explored system could not be derived solely by the use of hydrogeological data. Interpretation of the available datasets indicates that two groundwater systems are active: a regional and a local system. These are separated by a regionally extensive aquiclude. Groundwater flow in the regional groundwater system is controlled by the structural fabric of the Palaeozoic basement rocks. The local groundwater system is restricted to the Permian to Recent sequence of cover rocks. The local groundwater system is subdivided into three cells: the deep, intermediate and shallow cells. Groundwater flow within the deep cell of the local groundwater system is controlled by fracture flow. Groundwaters from this aquifer are under artesian pressure and are effervescent (CO₂-gas). The intermediate cell is a leaky aquitard that acts as a mixing zone between the deep and shallow cells. Groundwater flow within the shallow cell is controlled by the influx of surface waters which migrate laterally through permeable beds.     

Formation of the superdeep South Caspian basin: subsidence driven by phase change in continental crust

The large hydrocarbon basin of South Caspian is filled with sediments reaching a thickness of 20–25 km. The sediments overlie a 10–18 km thick high-velocity basement which is often interpreted as oceanic crust. This interpretation is, however, inconsistent with rapid major subsidence in Pliocene-Pleistocene time and deposition of 10 km of sediments because the subsidence of crust produced in spreading ridges normally occurs at decreasing rates. Furthermore, filling a basin upon a 10–18 km thick oceanic crust would require twice less sediments. Subsidence as in the South Caspian, of ≥20 km, can be provided by phase change of gabbro to dense eclogite in a 25–30 km thick lower crust. Eclogites which are denser than the mantle and have nearly mantle P velocities but a chemistry of continental crust may occur beneath the Moho in the South Caspian where consolidated crust totals a thickness of 40–50 km. The high subsidence rates in the Pliocene-Pleistocene may be attributed to the effect of active fluids infiltrated from the asthenosphere to catalyze the gabbro-eclogite transition. Subsidence of this kind is typical of large petroleum provinces. According to some interpretations, historic seismicity with 30–70 km focal depths in a 100 km wide zone (beneath the Apsheron-Balkhan sill and north of it) has been associated with the initiation of subduction under the Middle Caspian. The consolidated lithosphere of deep continental sedimentary basins being denser than the asthenosphere, can, in principle, subduct into the latter, while the overlying sediments can be delaminated and folded. Yet, subduction in the South Caspian basin is incompatible with the only 5–10 km shortening of sediments in the Apsheron-Balkhan sill and south of it and with the patterns of earthquake foci that show no alignment like in a Benioff zone and have mostly extension mechanisms.     

黑河中游盆地南部山区地下水对平原区侧向径流补给量的估算

山区地下水对平原区的侧向径流补给量是一个长期争议且悬而未决的难题,这个量在西北内陆干旱盆地,被估算得或很小或很大。在总结前人研究的基础上,采用地质水文地质调查、物探、钻探、抽水试验、地下水动态观测、水化学测试、盆地地下水水位统测和综合研究等技术方法,查明了黑河中游盆地南部山盆交接带的地质构造接触关系、地层岩性接触关系及梨园河口白垩系风化壳含水层结构和水文地质参数。通过山区不同流域等级的地表水与地下水转化关系分析,将山区地下水对平原区侧向径流补给带划分为大中型河流河谷补给段和小微型河流或冲沟群流域构成的浅山带补给段。河谷补给段勘探资料较为丰富,多用达西断面流方法计算;针对浅山带补给段极为缺乏勘探资料的实际,以梨园河口断面径流量为参照,构建了浅山带岩性、汇水区面积、降水量等3 个变量的山区地下水对平原区侧向径流补给量的估算方法。估算出黑河中游盆地南部山区浅山带地下水对平原的侧向径流补给量为0.40×108 m3/a,河谷段基岩侧向补给量为0.07×108 m3/a;推算出河谷段第四系地下水补给量为0.30×108 m3/a;3 项补给量之和为0.77×108 m3/a,占盆地地下水资源量的3.0%。该研究为西北内陆干旱盆地山区地下水对平原区侧向径流补给量的估算提供了一个可供借鉴的实例。     

松辽盆地演化历史和铀成矿地质条件

松辽盆地位于中亚可地浸砂岩型铀矿带的东延部分,其中发育有含油气建造、含煤建造和红色陆相碎屑岩建造。在红色碎屑岩建造中有层间氧化带和“泥-砂-泥”结构发育,并有良好的地下水承压和循环体制,是寻找可地浸砂岩型铀矿的有利地区。