Southern Ontario hydrogeological region

Sharpe, D R; Piggott, Andrew R.; Carter, T; Gerber, RE; MacRitchie, Scott; deLoë, R C; Strynatka, S; Zwiers, Gregg

doi:10.4095/296947

Cited by 5 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…The classification was based largely on very detailed geological, hydrochemical, hydrogeological and isotopic data acquired from 6 deep (450−905 m) and 3 shallow (< 200 m) boreholes drilled at the Bruce Power nuclear generating station (Bruce site) on Lake Huron, in Bruce County. The three hydrogeological systems are analogous to the three hydrochemical regimes identified by Sharpe et al (2014) and used in the present study: shallow, intermediate, and deep. The 15 hydrostratigraphic units of the present study are similar, with differences due largely to representation of younger stratigraphic units and regional facies variations not present at the Bruce site.…”

Section: Previous Hydrostratigraphic Classificationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Groundwater studies to date in southern Ontario have focussed on aquifers in the shallow subsurface that are able to meet quality standards for potability (e.g. Sharpe et al 2014). Groundwater in the intermediate to deep subsurface has quality constraints that has discouraged its investigation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The objective of this study is to establish a high-level hydrostratigraphic classification of the aquifer and aquitard systems of southern Ontario within the shallow, intermediate, and deep hydrochemical groundwater regimes identified by Carter and Fortner (2012) and Sharpe et al (2014). The focus is on groundwater systems in the intermediate to deep bedrock, which are largely non-potable, and evidence for interaction with shallow groundwater systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Hydrostratigraphic Framework for the Paleozoic Bedrock of Southern Ontario

Carter¹,

Fortner²,

Russell³

et al. 2021

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Groundwater systems in the intermediate to deep subsurface of southern Ontario are poorly understood, despite their value for a number of societal uses. A regional hydrostratigraphic framework is a necessary precursor for improving our understanding of groundwater systems and enabling development of a 3-D hydrostratigraphic model to visualize these groundwater systems. This study is a compilation and integration of published and unpublished geological, hydrogeological, hydrochemical and isotopic data collected over the past 10 years to develop that framework.Bedrock is covered by a thin veneer of surficial sediments that comprise an aquifer/aquitard system of considerable local variability and complexity. Aquifers in the bedrock are thin and regionally extensive, separated by thick aquitards, within a well-defined lithostratigraphic framework and a well-developed hydrochemical depth zonation comprising a shallow fresh water regime, an intermediate brackish to saline sulphur water regime, and a deep brine regime of ancient, evaporated seawater. Occurrence and movement of groundwater in shallow bedrock is principally controlled by modern (Quaternary) karstic dissolution of subcropping carbonate and evaporite rocks, and in the intermediate to deep subsurface by paleokarst horizons developed during the Paleozoic. Flow directions in the surficial sediments of the shallow groundwater regime are down-gradient from topographic highs and down the regional dip of bedrock formations in the intermediate regime. Shallow karst is the entry point for groundwater penetration into the intermediate regime, with paleo-recharge by glacial meltwater and limited recent recharge by meteoric water at subcrop edges, and down-dip hydraulic gradients in confined aquifers. Hydraulic gradient is up-dip in the deep brine regime, at least for the Guelph Aquifer and the Cambrian Aquifer, with no isotopic or hydrochemical evidence of infiltration of meteoric water and no discharge to the surface.Fourteen bedrock hydrostratigraphic units are proposed, and one unit comprising all the surficial sediments. Assignment of lithostratigraphic units as hydrostratigraphic units is based principally on hydrogeological characteristics of Paleozoic bedrock formations in the intermediate to deep groundwater regimes, below the influence of modern meteoric water. Carbonate and evaporite rocks which form aquitards in the subsurface may form aquifers at or near the surface, due to karstic dissolution by acidic meteoric water, necessitating compromises in assignment of hydrostratigraphic units.

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Section: Previous Hydrostratigraphic Classificationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Hydrostratigraphic Framework for the Paleozoic Bedrock of Southern Ontario

Carter¹,

Fortner²,

Russell³

et al. 2021

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Approximately 3 million people use groundwater in Ontario, with the majority of these located in southern Ontario. Extraction by domestic systems support ϳ1.3 million people and ϳ1.9 million people use municipal supplies (e.g., Waterloo, Guelph; Sharpe et al 2014b).For a decade, from 2004 to 2015, groundwater studies in Ontario were dominated by the Source Protection Program that the provincial ministries of Environment and Climate Change, and Natural Resources and Forestry funded via Conservations Authorities in 22 Source Protection areas. The focus of this work was largely water budget modeling, the identification of threats to drinking water supplies, and the establishment of wellhead protection areas around municipal wells.…”

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confidence: 99%

Quaternary geology of southern Ontario and applications to hydrogeology

et al. 2018

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Quaternary geology of southern Ontario and applications to hydrogeology IntroductionThe southern Ontario (lowland) region is a sedimentary basin covering ϳ72 000 km 2 located within the Great Lakes watershed (e.g., Sharpe et al. 2014a). It is bounded by Canadian Shield to the north and east, and three Great Lakes to the south and west (Ontario, Erie, and Huron). The region is the economic heartland of Canada accounting for over 40% of the Canadian Gross Domestic Product. It contains one-third of the Canadian population and has the highest population density in the country. The Great Lakes cumulatively account for approximately 84% of North Americas available freshwater and form the largest potential transboundary groundwater -surface-water resource between the USA and Canada (Environment Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2014). Ironically, there is significant reliance on groundwater for potable, commercial, and agricultural water uses. Approximately 3 million people use groundwater in Ontario, with the majority of these located in southern Ontario. Extraction by domestic systems support ϳ1.3 million people and ϳ1.9 million people use municipal supplies (e.g., Waterloo, Guelph; Sharpe et al. 2014b).For a decade, from 2004 to 2015, groundwater studies in Ontario were dominated by the Source Protection Program that the provincial ministries of Environment and Climate Change, and Natural Resources and Forestry funded via Conservations Authorities in 22 Source Protection areas. The focus of this work was largely water budget modeling, the identification of threats to drinking water supplies, and the establishment of wellhead protection areas around municipal wells. This program was complemented by the Ontario Geological Survey's groundwater initiative, which focused on the collection and interpretation of new, high quality subsurface geoscience information to support regional groundwater understanding (Bajc et al. 2016). This research was a direct outcome of the recommendations of the Walkerton Inquiry (O'Connor 2002) that followed on the tragic events in a southwestern Ontario community where the water supply was compromised by poor wellhead design and lax water treatment checks and protocols, following a heavy rain event in the spring of 2000. Over 2000 people became ill, 7 people died, and the conservative, tangible cost to the provincial economy, up to 2002, was over $60 million (Livernois 2002).The O'Connor Report (2002) recognized the early leadership in Ontario of the Ontario Geological Survey and Geological Survey of Canada in providing the understanding on geologic controls to support knowledge of groundwater and surface-water relationships. Importantly, geological conceptualization is often the first step of any hydrogeological study as it provides important information about geometry and connectivity of units that may support withdrawal of large amounts of water, and the distribution and integrity of units that may act as a barrier to flow and contaminants. A robust geological framework ...

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