Improving the hydrogeologic conceptualization of a remote semiarid palaeovalley groundwater system using airborne electromagnetics, seismic refraction and reflection, and downhole nuclear magnetic resonance

Abstract

A hydrogeologic conceptualization is critical to understand, manage, protect, and sustain groundwater resources, particularly in regions where data are sparse and accessibility is difficult. We used airborne electromagnetics (AEM), shallow seismic reflection and refraction, and downhole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logs to improve our understanding of an arid groundwater system influenced by palaeovalleys. We found that there is a limited connection between the palaeovalley and fractured bedrock aquifers because they are separated by a spatially variable layer of saprolite, which is the layer of chemically altered rock on top of the fractured bedrock. The AEM data provided an estimate of the top of the saprolite but failed to effectively image the bottom. In contrast, the seismic data provided an estimate of the bottom of the saprolite but failed to image the top. This geophysical combination of electrical and seismic data allowed us to map saprolite thickness in detail along a 1.7 km long transect that runs perpendicular the main trunk of a well-defined palaeovalley. These data indicate that the palaeovalley is lined with a heterogeneous layer of saprolite (approximately 3–120 m thick) that is thickest near its edges. Despite the observed variability, only a small percentage of the fractured bedrock aquifer (8%–17%) appears to be in contact with the palaeovalley aquifer. Furthermore, the lack of an elastic boundary at the top of saprolite suggests that the porosity of the saprolite is similar to the palaeovalley sediments — an observation that is supported by the downhole NMR-derived water contents. The electrical change at the top of saprolite is caused by a combination of a decrease in total dissolved solids of the groundwater in the saprolite and a change in pore structure associated weathering in situ versus transported weathered materials. The presence of saprolite, which commonly behaves as an aquitard, may limit the groundwater exchange between the palaeovalley and bedrock aquifers, with implications for the regional groundwater resource potential.