Heat flow and subsurface temperature as evidence for basin-scale ground-water flow, North Slope of Alaska

Deming, David; Sass, J.H.; Lachenbruch, Arthur H.; Rito, Robert F. De

doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1992)104<0528:hfasta>2.3.co;2

Cited by 121 publications

(119 citation statements)

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“…Topography and groundwater table configurations determine the regional groundwater flow pattern, and therefore greatly affect the migration of solutes and convective heat transfer (e.g., Banner et al, 1989;Deming et al, 1992;Garven, 1995;Tóth, 1999). Many previous studies have examined how the topography/ recharge controlled groundwater table configurations affect multiple-scale flow patterns (e.g., Haitjema and Mitchell-Bruker, 2005;Gleeson and Manning, 2008).…”

Section: Regional Groundwater Flow In Sedimentary Basinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revised conceptualization of the North China Basin groundwater flow system: Groundwater age, heat and flow simulations

Cao

Han

Currell

et al. 2016

Journal of Asian Earth Sciences

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a b s t r a c tGroundwater flow in deep sedimentary basins results from complex evolution processes on geological timescales. Groundwater flow systems conceptualized according to topography and/or groundwater table configuration generally assume a near-equilibrium state with the modern landscape. However, the time to reach such a steady state, and more generally the timescales of groundwater flow system evolution are key considerations for large sedimentary basins. This is true in the North China Basin (NCB), which has been studied for many years due to its importance as a groundwater supply. Despite many years of study, there remain contradictions between the generally accepted conceptual model of regional flow, and environmental tracer data. We seek to reconcile these contractions by conducting simulations of groundwater flow, age and heat transport in a three dimensional model, using an alternative conceptual model, based on geological, thermal, isotope and historical data. We infer flow patterns under modern hydraulic conditions using this new model and present the theoretical maximum groundwater ages under such a flow regime. The model results show that in contrast to previously accepted conceptualizations, most groundwater is discharged in the vicinity of the break-in-slope of topography at the boundary between the piedmont and central plain. Groundwater discharge to the ocean is in contrast small, and in general there are low rates of active flow in the eastern parts of the basin below the central and coastal plain. This conceptualization is more compatible with geochemical and geothermal data than the previous model. Simulated maximum groundwater ages of $1 Myrs below the central and coastal plain indicate that residual groundwater may be retained in the deep parts of the basin since being recharged during the last glacial period or earlier. The groundwater flow system has therefore probably not reached a new equilibrium state with modern-day hydraulic conditions. The previous hypothesis that regional groundwater flow from the piedmont groundwater recharge zone predominantly discharges at the coastline may therefore be false. A more reliable alternative might be to conceptualize deep groundwater below the coastal plains a hydrodynamically stagnant zone, responding gradually to landscape and hydrological change on geologic timescales. This study brings a new and original understanding of the groundwater flow system in an important regional basin, in the context of its geometry and evolution over geological timescales. There are important implications for the sustainability of the ongoing high rates of groundwater extraction in the NCB.

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Section: Regional Groundwater Flow In Sedimentary Basinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revised conceptualization of the North China Basin groundwater flow system: Groundwater age, heat and flow simulations

Cao

Han

Currell

et al. 2016

Journal of Asian Earth Sciences

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“…We have developed a combined flow and thermal model of the subsurface flow similar to the approach of Deming et al [1992] and Haldorsen and Heim [1999]. We use the measured geothermal gradient of 37.3°C km À1 for a nearby borehole (60 km) that was reported by Taylor and Judge [1976].…”

Section: Correction Published 13 April 2005mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cold springs in permafrost on Earth and Mars

et al. 2002

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[1] Perennial springs located on west central Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian High Arctic occur in a region with a mean annual air temperature of À15°C and flow through continuous permafrost 600 m thick. The spring water is a low-temperature (up to 6°C) brine that maintains constant discharge temperatures and flow rates throughout the year. Here we report on observations of temperature and discharge rate of these springs and develop a combined flow and thermal model of the subsurface flow using the measured geothermal gradient. We also consider the implications these springs have for the search for similar environments, past or present, on Mars.

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“…Microcosms were prepared using North Slope tundra and pad samples ( Various treatments were considered to investigate the feasibility for dioxane degradation in the Arctic aquifer through different in situ bioremediation strategies (i.e., unamended attenuation, biostimulation, and bioaugmentation) at 4 and 14 °C, which are within the range of groundwater temperatures in the tundra (Deming et al, 1992). Biodegradation was first evaluated at high dioxane concentrations (50 mg L" 1 ) representing source zone conditions, under various biostimulation and bioaugmentation conditions listed in Table 1.…”

Section: Microcosms Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%