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Hydrogeological mapping in Switzerland

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Abstract

The 1:500,000 geological, tectonic and hydrogeological maps of Switzerland have been updated using a new approach for a geographical information system (GIS). Geological, tectonic and hydrogeological data are combined in a single polygon data set. Specific data (point and line elements) are additionally represented on a separate GIS layer for each map respectively. The new 1:500,000 hydrogeological map of Switzerland consists of two different sheets. The first sheet provides information on the near-surface groundwater resources and qualitative estimates of their yield. The second sheet displays the groundwater resource vulnerability and the capacity of lateral contaminant transport. The 1:100,000 hydrogeological map of Switzerland shows the distribution and use of groundwater in a selected area. The near-surface consolidated and unconsolidated rocks are classified in this map according to their permeability and lithological and petrographical properties. The map is available as a pixel map.

Résumé

Les cartes aux 1:500,000 de la Suisse, portant sur la géologie, la tectonique et l’hydrogéologie, ont été mises à jour en utilisant une nouvelle approche pour un système d’information géographique (GIS, en anglais). Les données géologiques, tectoniques et hydrogéologiques ont été combinées sur un seul set de polygones. Les données plus spécifiques (points et lignes) sont représentées dans une couverture séparée, pour chaque carte respectivement. La nouvelle carte hydrogéologique de Suisse au 1:500,000 est constituée de deux différentes feuilles. La première feuille apporte des informations sur les ressources proches de la surface et sur leur rendement. La seconde feuille montre la vulnérabilité des ressources souterraines et le risque de pollution par transport latéral. La carte hydrogéologique de Suisse au 1:100,000 montre la distribution et l’utilisation de l’eau souterraine dans la région sélectionnée. Les roches consolidées ou meubles de sub-surface, sont classées au regard de leur perméabilité et de leurs propriétés lithologique et pétrographique. La carte est disponible pixellisée.

Resumen

Los mapas geológico, tectónico e hidrogeológico de Suiza a escala 1:500,000 han sido actualizados utilizando un nuevo enfoque para un sistema de información geográfico (SIG). Los datos geológicos, tectónicos e hidrogeológicos se combinan en un conjunto de datos en un solo polígono. Por otra parte, para cada uno de los mapas, los datos específicos (elementos puntuales y lineales) se representaron en una capa separa del SIG. El nuevo mapa hidrogeológico de Suiza a escala 1:500,000 contiene dos capas diferentes. La primera de ellas suministra información de los recursos hídricos subterráneos poco profundos y estimaciones cualitativas de sus rendimientos. La segunda capa muestra la vulnerabilidad de este recurso y el riesgo debido al transporte lateral de contaminantes. El mapa hidrogeológico de Suiza a escala 1:100,000 muestra la distribución y uso del agua subterránea en un área seleccionada. Los sedimentos consolidados y no consolidados cercanos a la superficie se clasifican en este mapa en función de su permeabilidad y propiedades litológicas y petrográficas. El mapa se encuentra disponible como un mapa de pixeles.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the thorough and positive review of their Federal Office for the Environment colleague Michael Sinreich and their Federal Office for Water and Geology colleagues Peter Heitzmann and Jean-Pierre Tripet. They also thank Rainer Kündig from the Swiss Geotechnical Commission for providing specific information about the 1:100,000 hydrogeological map of Switzerland and Raymond Flynn from the University of Neuchâtel for editorial assistance with the English language.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal Office for the Environment, Swiss Hydrological Survey, Papiermühlestrasse 172, 3063, Ittigen, Switzerland

    Marc Schürch & Ronald Kozel

  2. Federal Office of Topography, Swiss Geological Survey, Seftigenstrasse 264, 3084, Wabern, Switzerland

    Laurent Jemelin

Authors
  1. Marc Schürch
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  2. Ronald Kozel
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  3. Laurent Jemelin
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Correspondence to Marc Schürch.

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Schürch, M., Kozel, R. & Jemelin, L. Hydrogeological mapping in Switzerland. Hydrogeol J 15, 799–808 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0136-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0136-y

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