Geochemical heterogeneity in a small, stratigraphically complex moraine aquifer system (Ontario, Canada): interpretation of flow and recharge using multiple geochemical parameters

Stotler, Randy L.; Frape, Shaun K.; Mugammar, H.T.; Johnston, Craig T.; Judd-Henrey, Ian; Harvey, F. Edwin; Drimmie, R.J.; Jones, Jon P.

doi:10.1007/s10040-010-0628-7

Cited by 41 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…This can be attributed to windows in the CCT aquitard, which may have been created by meltwater erosion events associated with the formation of the Waterloo Moraine and (or) postglacial erosion along modern river valleys (Bajc et al 2014). Further evidence of breaches in the Catfish Creek aquitard and their hydrogeological significance was identified by Stotler et al (2011), who report measurable quantities of dissolved oxygen and tritium isotope values that match modern rainfall, in several wells screened in the deep overburden aquifers that directly overlie bedrock within the Waterloo Moraine area. Johnston et al (1998) also identified elevated nitrate levels, an indicator of surface contamination, in deep wells completed at the bedrock interface within the central portion of the study area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stotler et al (2011) reported tritium values ranging between <0.8 and 36 TU in the SCA and bedrock interface aquifers of the central zone. The tritium analyses of both this study and Stotler et al (2011) suggest that the CCT is a leaky aquitard in places. The 18 O analyses yielded values of -11.38‰ and -11.10‰ Vienna standard mean ocean water (VSMOW) for DV-04 and DV-05, respectively (Fig.…”

Section: Central Dundas Valley Aquifer Zonementioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluating the groundwater resource potential of the Dundas buried bedrock valley, southwestern Ontario: an integrated geological and hydrogeological case study

et al. 2018

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Population growth in the groundwater-dependent municipalities of southwestern Ontario has prompted interest in the exploration for new, previously untapped, groundwater resources. In this study, the groundwater resource potential of the sediments infilling a deeply buried bedrock valley network centred beneath the Region of Waterloo and the counties of Brant and Hamilton-Wentworth are explored. The objectives of this study are to further refine valley location and geometry, understand infilling sediments and their hydrogeological properties, and characterize waters contained within the aquifers to inform future water management decisions. Results of a regional ground gravity survey were instrumental in locating buried bedrock valleys and guided follow-up drilling. Continuous sediment coring and monitoring well installations were completed to target thick and coarse-grained sediment packages that, based on existing borehole data, showed aquifer potential. Hydraulic testing and groundwater sampling results provided valuable insights into groundwater quantity and quality. Highly transmissive aquifers, some worth investigating further, have been identified within portions of the valley network. The aquifers appear to occur at a number of stratigraphic positions and do not necessarily occur as the deepest unit overlying bedrock. Bedrock topography likely played a role, however, in their preferential preservation. They are commonly overlain by thick sequences of relatively impermeable sediments, providing excellent protection from anthropogenic contamination. Information from water chemistry, however, does suggest hydraulic connection to the surface at some locations. Groundwater quality and quantity information combined with a conceptual three-dimensional geologic model aids in the selection of groundwater resource exploration targets within the untapped resources of the deep, Dundas buried valley sediments.Résumé : La croissance démographique dans les municipalités qui dépendent de l'eau souterraine dans le sud-ouest de l'Ontario entraîne un intérêt croissant pour l'exploration de nouvelles ressources d'eau souterraine non exploitées. L'étude explore le potentiel de ressources d'eau souterraine de sédiments qui remplissent un réseau de vallées creusées dans le socle rocheux centré sous la région de Waterloo et les comtés de Brant et Hamilton-Wentworth. Les objectifs de l'étude consistent à mieux définir l'emplacement et la géométrie des vallées, comprendre les sédiments qui les remplissent et leurs propriétés hydrogéologiques et caractériser les eaux contenues dans les aquifères afin d'éclairer les décisions futures en matière de gestion de l'eau. Les résultats d'un levé gravimétrique régional au sol ont servi à situer des vallées ensevelies creusées dans le socle et ont guidé les forages de suivi. Le carottage continu des sédiments et l'installation de puits de surveillance ont été réalisés dans le but de cibler des séquences de sédiments grossiers épaisses qui, à la lumière de données de forage existante...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Central Dundas Valley Aquifer Zonementioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the groundwater resource potential of the Dundas buried bedrock valley, southwestern Ontario: an integrated geological and hydrogeological case study

et al. 2018

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“…Moraines are often considered important areas of groundwater recharge, and protection of these areas is a priority for local communities (Golder Associates ). Their complex and heterogeneous geology requires detailed investigation to characterize the groundwater system within them and devise appropriate source water protection plans and best management practices (Stotler et al ). Drumlinized till plains are a common, and spatially extensive, environment among glaciated terrains.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although nitrate research in glacial deposits of Ontario has been done in silt till aquitards (Robertson et al ), sand aquifers (Aravena and Robertson ), and the Waterloo Moraine (Stotler et al ), little work has been done to assess the impact of geologic complexity over depth in specific glacial landscapes or to gather data, using consistent methodology, from a more diverse array of glacial sediments. It is hypothesized that specific glacial landscapes will have characteristics that are more or less conducive to nitrate attenuation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Glacial Sediment Type and Land Use on Nitrate Patterns in Groundwater

Best¹,

Arnaud²,

Parker³

et al. 2015

Groundwater Monitoring Rem

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Growing population centers such as those in southern Ontario rely on fractured bedrock aquifers for drinking water. A threat to these aquifers is posed by surficial nonpoint‐source pollution infiltrating with rainwater and moving through the overlying Quaternary glacial deposits. Investigation of local unconsolidated sediments, and the factors affecting contaminant transport through these, is needed to assess risks to the quality of underlying groundwater resources. In this study, sites with a variety of agricultural land management practices and glacial geologic settings were investigated by employing high‐resolution data collection methods. Geologic data from continuous sediment cores were combined with depth‐discrete hydrogeologic and geochemical parameter measurements using high‐resolution multilevel monitoring wells. Within a relatively small geographic area with three distinct glacially derived sediment types, the three sites exhibited greatly disparate vulnerability to nitrate contamination. The geologic setting, including surface topography and architecture and heterogeneity of sediment types at depth, influenced groundwater flow paths and water geochemistry, and subsequently, nitrate distribution. Although management practices influence the quantity of pollutants leaching to groundwater resources, the physical and chemical properties of the subsurface related to the geologic setting ultimately determine the persistence or attenuation of nitrate, and therefore become important to characterize when evaluating best nutrient and waste management practices.

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“…In all these above cited studies the term "carbonate aquifer" is used more or less synonymous with "karstic aquifer" and often karst structures are explicitly described as "results of limestone and dolomite dissolution" (for example Stotler et al 2010) The significant differences in solubility and therefore in the degree of karstification of dolomite was not really considered yet.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Aquifer Characteristics of the Dolomite Formation a New Approach for Providing Drinking Water in the Northern Calcareous Alps Region in Germany and Austria

Hilberg

Schneider

2011

Water Resour Manage

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In the Northern Calcareous Alps karst springs and wells in porous groundwater bodies are the common sources of drinking water. While karst springs deliver water with short residence times and extreme variabilities in discharge, porous groundwater bodies include high risks of pollution according to intensive agricultural and industrial activities in the catchment areas. As alternative in this densly populated region in Germany and Austria the widespread but rarely used dolomitic unit Hauptdolomit (HD) was investigated. The purpose was to find indications to identify springs and wells dominated by an HD-aquifer and to find significant differences in age distribution and flow rates between HD-aquifers and karstified groundwater bodies. The assumption was that springs in HD-aquifers do not deliver very young waters and so show significantly lower vulnerability to pollution and less variability in discharge because HD features the necessary retention capacity and very slow diffuse flow on micro fissure systems and also exhibits larger fractures for water sampling and conduit flow. The main results of the study were: (1) the structural setting on the surface is not significant for the internal hydro-geological properties, (2) the hydrochemical signature gives a good evidence to identify an HD-catchment area, (3) the hydrograph curves show significantly less variability which is the most important advantage over karst springs, (4) mean residence times of 2 years to two decades are conducted by an age distribution which ranges very young as well as more than

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Geochemical heterogeneity in a small, stratigraphically complex moraine aquifer system (Ontario, Canada): interpretation of flow and recharge using multiple geochemical parameters

Cited by 41 publications

References 42 publications

Evaluating the groundwater resource potential of the Dundas buried bedrock valley, southwestern Ontario: an integrated geological and hydrogeological case study

Evaluating the groundwater resource potential of the Dundas buried bedrock valley, southwestern Ontario: an integrated geological and hydrogeological case study

Effects of Glacial Sediment Type and Land Use on Nitrate Patterns in Groundwater

The Aquifer Characteristics of the Dolomite Formation a New Approach for Providing Drinking Water in the Northern Calcareous Alps Region in Germany and Austria

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