The effect of graben structures on the migration of groundwater contaminants at an industrial site

Industrial sites present a challenge to the hydrogeological delineation of pollution sources and their impacts. When large-scale geologic structures such as grabens exist on such sites, these can have a significant impact on the hydrology and water quality distribution. At the site investigated, geophysical techniques, standard hydrogeological approaches and hydrochemical characterisation (with methods such as depth-profiling and isotopes) were used to determine the impact of a graben structure and the hydrogeological properties and consequent water quality distribution. Zones of high conductivity, corresponding with available data, were identified from the geophysical investigation and subsequent pumping tests in the area. Through hydrochemical characterisation, including isotopes, it was determined that the fault zone acts as a barrier for groundwater flow and is thus the reason for the lower levels of pollutants in groundwater beyond this feature. However, the surface water flow is not restricted by these zones, and contributes significantly to the flow and salt loads at the discharge point. The study showed that graben structures are important controls on the movement of contaminants, and that the effect of such geological features on groundwater quality distribution must be investigated using multiple methodologies to construct a feasible conceptual model of the interactions.