aquifer mapping in ontario: what we know (and what we … · ontario geological survey presentation...

Ontario Geological SurveyOntario Geological Survey

Aquifer Mapping in Ontario: What We Know (and What We

Don’t)Ontario Geological Survey

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

Aquifer Mapping in Ontario: Aquifer Mapping in Ontario: What We Know (and What We What We Know (and What We

DonDon’’t)t)Ontario Geological SurveyOntario Geological Survey

Ministry of Northern Development and MinesMinistry of Northern Development and Mines

A.D. Latornell ConferenceNovember 2008

A.D. A.D. LatornellLatornell ConferenceConferenceNovember 2008November 2008


Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

• Groundwater pressures and the need for geologic and other data

• Background: the need for new geoscience products

• What we’ve done (so far) – some examples

• The future: Where we’re going

• Groundwater pressures and the need for geologic and other data

• Background: the need for new geoscience products

• What we’ve done (so far) – some examples

• The future: Where we’re going


Groundwater PressuresGroundwater Pressures

• Population growth and demands on existing sources

• Growing business/industry water needs• Need to locate new sources• Quality issues (human and natural)• Climate change and impacts on groundwater

• Need for data and information to understand and manage the resource

• Population growth and demands on existing sources

• Growing business/industry water needs• Need to locate new sources• Quality issues (human and natural)• Climate change and impacts on groundwater

• Need for data and information to understand and manage the resource


Background: Need for New Geoscience Products

Background: Need for New Geoscience Products

• Grand River Watershed• Walkerton • Region of Waterloo• Clean Water Act• Source Protection Plans

• Grand River Watershed• Walkerton • Region of Waterloo• Clean Water Act• Source Protection Plans


BoundaryFaultExample

BoundaryFaultExample

The Grand experience

“Maps that don’t match and that we don’t understand”

The Grand The Grand experienceexperience

““Maps that Maps that dondon’’t match t match and that we and that we dondon’’t t understandunderstand””

Grand River CA Watershed


Walkerton

The need for digital geologic data:

Hard Copy: Monochrome Preliminary Map

WalkertonWalkerton

The need for digital geologic data:The need for digital geologic data:

Hard Copy: Monochrome Hard Copy: Monochrome Preliminary MapPreliminary Map


Hardcopy Coloured Quaternary Geology Map

Hardcopy Hardcopy ColouredColoured Quaternary Quaternary Geology MapGeology Map


Legends and TerminologyLegends and Legends and TerminologyTerminology

“User Unfriendly”“User Unfriendly”


What’s Under The Region of Waterloo?

WhatWhat’’s Under The Region s Under The Region of Waterloo?of Waterloo?

Area of complex subsurface geologyNeed to understand:•Subsurface location and extent of aquifers•Connectivity (windows) between aquifers•Susceptibility to contamination

Area of complex subsurface geologyNeed to understand:•Subsurface location and extent of aquifers•Connectivity (windows) between aquifers•Susceptibility to contamination


Source Protection PlansSource Protection PlansSource Protection Plans

Number of fundamental geoscienceinformation layers identified as criticalNumber of fundamental geoscienceinformation layers identified as critical


A Big Challenge: New Ideas Needed

A Big Challenge: New Ideas Needed


The Need to Change: What We Did

The Need to Change: What The Need to Change: What We DidWe Did

Generate user required geologic products• Regional GIS-based maps / databases

(foundation layers)• Detailed 3-D aquifer mapping• Thematic studies

– Karst, Buried Valleys, Bedrock Aquifers

• Groundwater quality– Ambient groundwater

Generate user required geologic products• Regional GIS-based maps / databases

(foundation layers)• Detailed 3-D aquifer mapping• Thematic studies

– Karst, Buried Valleys, Bedrock Aquifers

• Groundwater quality– Ambient groundwater


Foundation LayersFoundation Layers

Bedrock

Surficial


Index of Quaternary Geology Mapping Southern Ontario

Index of Quaternary Geology Mapping Index of Quaternary Geology Mapping Southern OntarioSouthern Ontario

126 maps


Surficial GeologySurficial GeologySurficial Geology


MaterialPaleozoic Bedrock

clay

diamicton

fill

gravel

organic deposits

sand

silt

Derivative MapsDerivative MapsDerivative Maps

Primary MaterialPrimary Material

PermeabilityHigh

Low-Medium

Low

Variable

Relative PermeabilityRelative Permeability

SymbologySymbology


SurficialGeologySurficialSurficialGeologyGeology

Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Studies (NOEGTS)

Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Studies (NOEGTS)


Paleozoic BedrockPaleozoic BedrockPaleozoic Bedrock

- GIS-based

- Attributed

-- GISGIS--basedbased

-- AttributedAttributed


Bedrock TopographyBedrock TopographyBedrock TopographyAssembled using multiple datasets

Interpretation of features: e.g. valleys

Assembled using multiple datasets

Interpretation of features: e.g. valleys


Drift ThicknessDrift ThicknessDrift Thickness

• Complements bedrock topolayer

• Multiple data sources

• Thick drift: potential aquifers

• Complements bedrock topolayer

• Multiple data sources

• Thick drift: potential aquifers

Thick

Thin


PhysiographyChapman and Putnam

PhysiographyPhysiographyChapman and PutnamChapman and Putnam

RegionsRegions

Map detailMap detail


Understanding the SubsurfaceUnderstanding the Subsurface


3-D Aquifer Mapping33--D Aquifer MappingD Aquifer Mapping

• Characterize the geometry and intrinsic properties of subsurface aquifers and aquitards

• Develop protocols for 3-D mapping• Focus on critical regions

• Characterize the geometry and intrinsic properties of subsurface aquifers and aquitards

• Develop protocols for 3-D mapping• Focus on critical regions

Project Areas


Approach to 3-D MappingApproach to 3Approach to 3--D MappingD Mapping


Source Count %BAJC 1,036 5%KARROW 3,747 16%MOE 12,529 55%RMOW 1,575 7%WAGAIS 4,065 18%

22,952 100%

Assemble Subsurface DatasetsAssemble Subsurface DatasetsAssemble Subsurface Datasets


Acquire New Geological InformationAcquire New Geological InformationAcquire New Geological Information

SeismicSeismic Ground Penetrating RadarGround Penetrating Radar

DrillingDrilling Field MappingField Mapping


Link Similar Layers Using GISLink Similar Layers Using GIS


Conceptual Geological ModelConceptual Geological ModelConceptual Geological Model


3-D Block Model For Waterloo Region33--D Block Model For Waterloo RegionD Block Model For Waterloo Region


User Products: Aquifer Vulnerability Maps

User Products: Aquifer User Products: Aquifer Vulnerability MapsVulnerability Maps


Cross-Section ViewerCrossCross--Section ViewerSection Viewer

AB

Geologic UnitsGeologic Units Aquifer/AquitardAquifer/Aquitard

AB


Karst Mapping(the cracks in the basement)

Karst MappingKarst Mapping(the cracks in the basement)(the cracks in the basement)

• Outline “karst” in Ontario• Investigate depth and nature of karst• Produce maps showing distribution• Develop predictive models

• Outline “karst” in Ontario• Investigate depth and nature of karst• Produce maps showing distribution• Develop predictive models


Karst in OntarioKarstKarst in Ontarioin Ontario• In Ontario identified over:

– ~450 caves– >100 sinkholes

• Major control on some water supplies

• In Ontario identified over:– ~450 caves– >100 sinkholes

• Major control on some water supplies


Known KarstKnown Known KarstKarst

Inferred KarstInferred Karst

Potential KarstPotential Karst

UnknownUnknown

Karst Compilation Map

KarstKarst Compilation Compilation MapMap


Bedrock AquifersBedrock AquifersBedrock Aquifers

• Identify major bedrock aquifers/aquitards

• Mapping, drilling and geophysical logging of wells

• Correlate hydrostratigraphicunits

• Provides controls on modelling, recharge…

• Identify major bedrock aquifers/aquitards

• Mapping, drilling and geophysical logging of wells

• Correlate hydrostratigraphicunits

• Provides controls on modelling, recharge…


Bedrock Aquifers: Southern OntarioBedrock Aquifers: Southern OntarioBedrock Aquifers: Southern Ontario

Guelph Study Area


Aquifers/Aquitards: GuelphAquifers/Aquifers/AquitardsAquitards: Guelph: Guelph

AquiferAquifer

Aquitard

AquiferAquifer

Guelph

Irondequoit

Gasport

Eramosa

Goat Island


Ambient Groundwater Geochemistry SurveyAmbient Groundwater Ambient Groundwater Geochemistry SurveyGeochemistry Survey

• Characterize natural groundwater • Establish baseline groundwater chemical

conditions in rock and overburden units• Develop a high-quality geochemical

database• allow interpretation and integration of

other groundwater geochemical datasets• characterize speciation (by modelling)

• Characterize natural groundwater • Establish baseline groundwater chemical

conditions in rock and overburden units• Develop a high-quality geochemical

database• allow interpretation and integration of

other groundwater geochemical datasets• characterize speciation (by modelling)


MethodologyMethodologyMethodology• Sample domestic and monitoring wells• Analyze for:

– major ions– trace metals– trace anions– nitrogen parameters– DIC/DOC– water isotopes

• Measure on-site: pH, redox and dissolved gases (H2S, O2, CO2, CH4)

• Sample domestic and monitoring wells• Analyze for:

– major ions– trace metals– trace anions– nitrogen parameters– DIC/DOC– water isotopes

• Measure on-site: pH, redox and dissolved gases (H2S, O2, CO2, CH4)


Samples: 2007-2008Samples: 2007Samples: 2007--20082008

448samplescollected to date: bedrock

and overburden

448samplescollected to date: bedrock

and overburden


Ambient Quality….Ambient Ambient

QualityQuality……..

H2S (ppm)H2S (ppm)

Natural GasNatural Gas


Geoscience Data: Applications and Uses

GeoscienceGeoscience Data: Applications and Data: Applications and UsesUses

Watershed Management – Source ProtectionWatershed Management – Source Protection

Fisheries ManagementFisheries Management

Impacts of Climate ChangeImpacts of Climate Change

Water BudgetsWater Budgets

Water Quality and Health

Water Quality and Water Quality and HealthHealth

Locate New SourcesLocate New Sources


The Future: Lots to Do The Future: Lots to Do The Future: Lots to Do

Aquifer Characterization• 3-D aquifer mapping – overburden and

bedrock• Identify new GW sources: growth areas• Climate change and groundwater

impacts• Karst and groundwater vulnerability

–Land-use planning

Aquifer Characterization• 3-D aquifer mapping – overburden and

bedrock• Identify new GW sources: growth areas• Climate change and groundwater

impacts• Karst and groundwater vulnerability

–Land-use planning


The Future: Lots to DoThe Future: Lots to DoThe Future: Lots to Do

Groundwater Characterization• Groundwater geochemistry

–Health–Natural vs.

contaminants

Groundwater Characterization• Groundwater geochemistry

–Health–Natural vs.

contaminants


The Future: Lots to DoThe Future: Lots to DoThe Future: Lots to Do

Databases and Data Integration• Data capture from legacy sources• Data Discovery

– Searchable datasets across government

– What is held, by who, quality• Information Presentation

– OGS Google Earth model

Databases and Data Integration• Data capture from legacy sources• Data Discovery

– Searchable datasets across government

– What is held, by who, quality• Information Presentation

– OGS Google Earth model


Digital Datasets

Download from our Geology Ontario website @:

www.mndm.gov.on.ca/mines

Digital DatasetsDigital Datasets

Download from our Download from our Geology Ontario website @:Geology Ontario website @:

www.mndm.gov.on.cawww.mndm.gov.on.ca/mines/mines

aquifer mapping in ontario: what we know (and what we … · ontario geological survey presentation...

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