Using 14C and 3H to delineate a recharge ‘window’ into the Perth Basin aquifers, North Gnangara groundwater system, Western Australia

Meredith, Karina; Cendón, Dioni I.; Pigois, Jon-Philippe; Hollins, Suzanne; Jacobsen, Geraldine

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.10.016

Cited by 44 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Fossil groundwater is defined as groundwater comprised of precipitation that fell more than 11,700 years ago (i.e., before the current Holocene epoch began; Jasechko, Perrone, et al, ). Quantifying distributions of nonfossil (i.e., Holocene era) and fossil groundwater is important in order to estimate how rapidly aquifers are rejuvenated (Edmunds, ), predict which wells are more likely to pump groundwater with high levels of geogenic contaminants (e.g., Aggarwal et al, ), and understand hydrologic connectivity between geologic formations (e.g., Meredith et al, ; Scheiber et al, ). Though old in age, fossil groundwater often forms part of active flow systems existing in continuity with other parts of the water cycle.…”

Section: Fossil Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Isotope Hydrogeology―Review

Jasechko

2019

Reviews of Geophysics

189

124

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Groundwater 18O/16O, 2H/1H, 13C/12C, 3H, and 14C data can help quantify molecular movements and chemical reactions governing groundwater recharge, quality, storage, flow, and discharge. Here, commonly applied approaches to isotopic data analysis are reviewed, involving groundwater recharge seasonality, recharge elevations, groundwater ages, paleoclimate conditions, and groundwater discharge. Reviewed works confirm and quantify long held tenets: (i) that recharge derives disproportionately from wet season and winter precipitation; (ii) that modern groundwaters comprise little global groundwater; (iii) that “fossil” (>12,000‐year‐old) groundwaters dominate global aquifer storage; (iv) that fossil groundwaters capture late‐Pleistocene climate conditions; (v) that surface‐borne contaminants are more common in younger groundwaters; and (vi) that groundwater discharges generate substantial streamflow. Groundwater isotope data are disproportionately common to midlatitudes and sedimentary basins equipped for irrigated agriculture, but less plentiful across high latitudes, hyperarid deserts, and equatorial rainforests. Some of these underexplored aquifer systems may be suitable targets for future field testing.

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Section: Fossil Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Isotope Hydrogeology―Review

Jasechko

2019

Reviews of Geophysics

189

124

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“…On the other hand, the residence time of groundwater in confined aquifers generally increases away from discrete recharge areas. The geology of catchments is often complex and heterogeneous, and outcrops of aquifers in more than one location may provide "windows" for groundwater recharge (Meredith et al, 2012). It is important to document groundwater flow from such aquifer windows.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using <sup>14</sup>C and <sup>3</sup>H to understand groundwater flow and recharge in an aquifer window

Atkinson

Cartwright

Gilfedder

et al. 2014

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Knowledge of groundwater residence times and recharge locations is vital to the sustainable management of groundwater resources. Here we investigate groundwater residence times and patterns of recharge in the Gellibrand Valley, southeast Australia, where outcropping aquifer sediments of the Eastern View Formation form an "aquifer window" that may receive diffuse recharge from rainfall and recharge from the Gellibrand River. To determine recharge patterns and groundwater flow paths, environmental isotopes (3H, 14C, δ13C, δ18O, δ2H) are used in conjunction with groundwater geochemistry and continuous monitoring of groundwater elevation and electrical conductivity. The water table fluctuates by 0.9 to 3.7 m annually, implying recharge rates of 90 and 372 mm yr−1. However, residence times of shallow (11 to 29 m) groundwater determined by 14C are between 100 and 10 000 years, 3H activities are negligible in most of the groundwater, and groundwater electrical conductivity remains constant over the period of study. Deeper groundwater with older 14C ages has lower δ18O values than younger, shallower groundwater, which is consistent with it being derived from greater altitudes. The combined geochemistry data indicate that local recharge from precipitation within the valley occurs through the aquifer window, however much of the groundwater in the Gellibrand Valley predominantly originates from the regional recharge zone, the Barongarook High. The Gellibrand Valley is a regional discharge zone with upward head gradients that limits local recharge to the upper 10 m of the aquifer. Additionally, the groundwater head gradients adjacent to the Gellibrand River are generally upwards, implying that it does not recharge the surrounding groundwater and has limited bank storage. 14C ages and Cl concentrations are well correlated and Cl concentrations may be used to provide a first-order estimate of groundwater residence times. Progressively lower chloride concentrations from 10 000 years BP to the present day are interpreted to indicate an increase in recharge rates on the Barongarook High.

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“…A common feature at the base of the superficial aquifer is the carbonate‐bearing Ascot Formation. The observed groundwater hydrogeochemistry in the different units reflects the mineralogical differences [ Meredith et al ., ].…”

Section: Example Applicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent re‐sampling of the (deeper) superficial aquifer groundwater bores sampled by Meredith et al . [] indicated that DOC concentrations are highly variable, ranging from 4 to 80 mgC/L.…”

Section: Example Applicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A general reactive transport modeling framework for simulating and interpreting groundwater¹⁴C age and δ¹³C

et al. 2015

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A reactive transport modeling framework is presented that allows simultaneous assessment of groundwater flow, water quality evolution including d 13 C, and 14 C activity or ''age''. Through application of this framework, simulated 14 C activities can be directly compared with measured 14 C activities. This bypasses the need for interpretation of a 14 C age prior to flow simulation through factoring out processes other than radioactive decay, which typically involves simplifying assumptions regarding spatial and temporal variability in reactions, flow, and mixing. The utility of the approach is demonstrated for an aquifer system with spatially variable carbonate mineral distribution, multiple organic carbon sources, and transient boundary conditions for 14 C activity in the recharge water. In this case, the simulated 14 C age was shown to be relatively insensitive to isotopic fractionation during DOC oxidation and variations in assumed DOC degradation behavior. We demonstrate that the model allows quantitative testing of hypotheses regarding controls on groundwater age and water quality evolution for all three carbon isotopes. The approach also facilitates incorporation of multiple environmental tracers and combination with parameter optimization techniques.

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Using 14C and 3H to delineate a recharge ‘window’ into the Perth Basin aquifers, North Gnangara groundwater system, Western Australia

Cited by 44 publications

References 18 publications

Global Isotope Hydrogeology―Review

Global Isotope Hydrogeology―Review

Using <sup>14</sup>C and <sup>3</sup>H to understand groundwater flow and recharge in an aquifer window

A general reactive transport modeling framework for simulating and interpreting groundwater¹⁴C age and δ¹³C

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Using 14C and 3H to delineate a recharge ‘window’ into the Perth Basin aquifers, North Gnangara groundwater system, Western Australia

Cited by 44 publications

References 18 publications

Global Isotope Hydrogeology―Review

Global Isotope Hydrogeology―Review

Using &lt;sup&gt;14&lt;/sup&gt;C and &lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;H to understand groundwater flow and recharge in an aquifer window

A general reactive transport modeling framework for simulating and interpreting groundwater14C age and δ13C

Contact Info

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Resources

About

Using <sup>14</sup>C and <sup>3</sup>H to understand groundwater flow and recharge in an aquifer window

A general reactive transport modeling framework for simulating and interpreting groundwater¹⁴C age and δ¹³C