Thesis
Large-scale groundwater discharge modelling supported by innovative hydrogeological characterization
Southern Cross University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.183
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Abstract
Groundwater is an important source of freshwater in many parts of the world. The use of groundwater resources is projected to rise significantly, especially as traditional surface water resources become less available due to changing precipitation patterns. Groundwater can also be an important pathway for contaminant transport including nutrients and pesticides to coastal environments. In order to quantify groundwater resources and its movement, a comprehensive understanding of aquifer systems and the factors that control groundwater flow and quality is needed.
In this thesis, firstly, to test the effectiveness of different geological, hydrogeological and geophysical approaches to characterize aquifer settings, I compared and contrasted different methods in the Lake Haramaya watershed, Ethiopia (Chapter 2). The study used pumping test and vertical electrical sounding (VES) data to estimate aquifer transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity, where a 40% and 33% reduction in uncertainties were found, respectively, when the methods were combined rather than when VES data alone was used. Combining drill logs and geo-electrical resistivity data to develop the 3D geological setting of the aquifer system also identified lithologic units that were not detected using either method.
In much larger regional aquifer systems where extensive drill log data was available (the Great Barrier Reef catchment), 3D geological and hydrogeological models were then constructed (Chapter 3). These models revealed previously unknown faults and aquifer units in the catchment.
The fourth chapter then combined 3D geological and hydrogeological models with hydro-geochemical datasets to quantify the governing processes of groundwater flow and chemistry in the Raya Valley, Ethiopia. Evaluating the correlations between the ionic concentrations and the processes governing groundwater chemistry, the study showed that rock weathering, mineral dissolution, ion exchange and anthropogenic activities were the major processes governing the hydro-geochemical characteristics of the groundwater.
These improved hydrogeological and hydro-geochemical conceptualization approaches were then combined with isotope analysis and groundwater chemistry to determine the legacy effects and drivers of nutrient and pesticide pollution in agriculturally impacted aquifers (Chapter 5).
Overall, the thesis closes crucial knowledge gaps in the understanding of hydrogeological systems and provides groundwater managers with a much better understanding of the system to make more effective groundwater management decisions relating to issues such as groundwater sustainability and pollution issues.
Details
- Title
- Large-scale groundwater discharge modelling supported by innovative hydrogeological characterization
- Creators
- Haile A Shishaye
- Contributors
- Douglas Tait (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityDamien Maher (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityKevin M Befus (Supervisor) - University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University
- Number of pages
- xii, 255
- Identifiers
- 991012991897502368
- Copyright
- © Haile A. Shishaye 2021
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Resource Type
- Thesis