Abstract
Groundwater movement and availability in crystalline and metamorphosed rocks is dominated by the secondary porosity generated through fracturing. The distributions of fractures and fracture zones determine permeable pathways and the productivity of these rocks. Controls on how these distributions vary with depth in the shallow subsurface (<300 m) and their resulting influence on groundwater flow is not well understood. The results of a subsurface study in the Nashoba and Avalon terranes of eastern Massachusetts (USA), which is a region experiencing expanded use of the fractured bedrock as a potable-supply aquifer, are presented. The study logged the distribution of fractures in 17 boreholes, identified flowing fractures, and hydraulically characterized the rock mass intersecting the boreholes. Of all fractures encountered, 2.5% are hydraulically active. Boreholes show decreasing fracture frequency up to 300 m depth, with hydraulically active fractures showing a similar trend; this restricts topographically driven flow. Borehole temperature profiles corroborate this, with minimal hydrologically altered flow observed in the profiles below 100 m. Results from this study suggest that active flow systems in these geologic settings are shallow and that fracture permeability outside of the influence of large-scale structures will follow a decreasing trend with depth.
Résumé
Le mouvement de l’eau souterraine et sa disponibilité dans les roches cristallines et métamorphiques sont conditionnés par la porosité secondaire générée par la fracturation. La distribution des fractures et des zones de fractures détermine les lignes de courant et la productivité de ces roches. Les facteurs contrôlant la variation des distributions avec la profondeur dans les aquifères peu profonds (<300 m) et l’influence de ces facteurs sur les flux souterrains ne sont pas bien compris. Les résultats de l’étude de subsurface des terranes de Nashoba et Avalon à l’Est du Massachusetts (USA) sont présentés. Cette région utilise largement le sous-sol rocheux fracturé comme source d’eau potable. L’étude a cartographié la distribution des fractures dans 17 forages, identifié les fractures ouvertes et fourni les caractéristiques hydrauliques du massif traversé par les forages. 2.5% des fractures recoupées sont en charge. Les forages montrent une densité de fracturation décroissante jusqu’à 300 m de profondeur, les fractures en charge suivant une tendance similaire, ce qui restreint la distribution spatiale du flux. Ceci est confirmé par des diagraphies thermiques, avec une perturbation minimale du flux observée à plus de 100 m de profondeur. Les résultats de l’étude suggèrent que dans ce contexte géologique les débits sont peu profonds et que, hors influence de structures à grande échelle, la perméabilité de fracture tend à décroître avec la profondeur.
Resumen
El movimiento y disponibilidad de agua subterránea en rocas cristalinas y metamórficas está dominado por la porosidad secundaria generada a través de la fracturación. La distribución de las fracturas y zonas de fracturas determinan trayectorias permeables y la productividad de estas rocas. Los controles sobre como estas distribuciones varían con la profundidad en el subsuelo somero (<300 m) y su influencia resultante sobre el flujo de las aguas subterráneas no están bien entendidos. Se presentan los resultados de un estudio subsuperficial en terrenos de Nashoba y Avalon en el este de Massachusetts (USA), que es una región que está experimentando un uso expandido del basamento fracturado como un acuífero abastecedor de agua potable. El estudio registró la distribución de fracturas en 17 pozos, identificó fracturas de flujo, y caracterizó hidráulicamente la masa de rocas que intersectan las perforaciones. De todas las fracturas encontradas, 2.5% son hidráulicamente activas. Los pozos muestran una frecuencia de fractura decreciente hasta 300 m de profundidad, con fracturas hidráulicamente activas que muestran una tendencia similar, esto restringe topográficamente el flujo que conducen. Los perfiles de temperatura de los pozos corroboran esto, y se observa un flujo mínimamente alterado desde un punto de vista hidrológico en los perfiles debajo de los 100 m. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que los sistemas de flujos activos en estas configuraciones geológicas son someros y que la permeabilidad de fractura está fuera de la influencia de las estructuras de gran escala, y sigue una tendencia decreciente con la profundidad.
摘要
结晶岩和变质岩地区地下水的运动和赋存受断裂造成的次生空间控制。裂隙和断裂带的分布决定了其渗透路径和出水能力。裂隙分布在地表以下浅部 (<300 m) 随深度变化的控制因素及其对地下水流动的影响尚不清楚。本文对美国马萨诸塞州东部Nashoba和Avalon岩层进行了现场测量研究, 这些含水层正在被开采用作供水。研究确定了17个钻孔中裂隙的分布和导水性, 及其水力性质。钻遇的所有裂隙中有2.5% 是导水的。向下至300 m深度, 钻孔中裂隙频率呈减小趋势。钻孔温度测量与此一致, 在100 m深度水文扰动很小。结果表明, 这些地质背景下活跃的水流系统存在于浅部。在大规模断裂带外, 裂隙渗透性一般随深度增加而变差。
Resumo
O movimento e a disponibilidade de água subterrânea em rochas cristalinas e metamórficas é dominado pela porosidade secundária gerada pela fracturação. A distribuição das fracturas e das zonas fracturadas determinam os percursos permeáveis e a produtividade destas rochas. O controlo sobre como estas distribuições variam com a profundidade na sub-superfície (<300 m) e a influência que exercem no fluxo de água subterrânea não é ainda bem compreendido. São apresentados os resultados de um estudo da sub-superfície nas áreas de Nashoba e Avalon, no este de Massachusetts (EUA), uma região onde o uso dos aquíferos fracturados do bed-rock tem vindo a expandir-se, como fonte de água potável para abastecimento. O estudo teve acesso à distribuição de fracturas em 17 sondagens, identificando fracturas com fluxo, e caracterizando hidraulicamente o maciço rochoso intersectado pelas sondagens. De todas as fracturas encontradas, 2.5% são hidraulicamente activas. As sondagens mostram um decréscimo da frequência de fracturas até aos 300 m de profundidade, com as fracturas activas do ponto de vista hidráulico a mostrarem uma tendência similar; esta situação restringe o fluxo condicionado pela topografia. Os perfis de temperatura obtidos nas sondagens corroboram esta situação, com fluxos com alteração hidráulica mínima observados nos perfis abaixo dos 100 m. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que os sistemas activos de fluxo nestes ambientes geológicos são encontrados a baixa profundidade e que a permeabilidade das fracturas, fora da influência das estruturas de grande escala, seguirá uma tendência decrescente com a profundidade.
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by an interagency service agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (ISA CT EQE 5014 UMASSAMHERST0402319). We also acknowledge the support and cooperation of the U.S. Geological Survey including R. Mondazzi, J. Sorensen, C. Johnson, L. DeSimone and P. Weiskel. This manuscript benefited by comments received from three reviewers.
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Boutt, D.F., Diggins, P. & Mabee, S. A field study (Massachusetts, USA) of the factors controlling the depth of groundwater flow systems in crystalline fractured-rock terrain. Hydrogeol J 18, 1839–1854 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0640-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0640-y