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Using a geological perspective to improve understanding of bedrock aquifers

Adopter une approche géologique pour améliorer la compréhension des aquifères de socle

Una perspectiva geológica para comprender mejor los acuíferos de basamento

利用地质学的视角促进基岩含水层的认识

Usando uma perspectiva geológica para melhorar a compreensão dos aquíferos rochosos

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Abstract

The example of flow near the water table in bedrock aquifers was used to compare a data-based geological perspective and a theory-based hydraulic perspective for characterizing aquifers. The geological perspective showed that there are systematic vertical variations in permeability due to chemical weathering and compression, and gave more accurate but less precise answers than the hydraulic approach. Consequently, the geological perspective can provide a useful complementary approach to the prevailing hydraulic perspective for characterizing aquifers.

Résumé

L’exemple de l’écoulement près de la nappe phréatique dans les aquifères de socle a été utilisé pour comparer une approche géologique basée sur des données et une approche hydraulique basée sur la théorie pour caractériser les aquifères. L’approche géologique a montré qu’il existe des variations verticales systématiques de la perméabilité dues à l’altération chimique et à la compression, et a donné des réponses plus exactes mais moins précises que l’approche hydraulique. Par conséquent, l’approche géologique peut constituer une approche complémentaire utile à l’approche hydraulique dominante pour la caractérisation des aquifères.

Resumen

Se utilizó el ejemplo del flujo cercano al nivel freático en acuíferos de basamento para comparar una perspectiva geológica basada en los datos y una hidráulica basada en la teoría para caracterizar los acuíferos. En este caso, la perspectiva geológica demostró que existen variaciones verticales sistemáticas de la permeabilidad debidas a la meteorización química y a la compresión, y dio respuestas más exactas, pero menos precisas que el enfoque hidráulico. Por consiguiente, la perspectiva geológica puede proporcionar un enfoque complementario útil a la hidráulica predominante para caracterizar los acuíferos.

摘要

基岩含水层潜水位附近流动的案例被用来比较基于数据的地质学视角和基于理论的水力学视角的含水层表征。地质学视角发现化学风化和压缩导致渗透性系统性地垂向变化，给出了比水力学方法更准确但不太精确的答案。因此，地质学视角可以作为对主流水力学视角进行含水层表征的有益补充。

Resumo

O exemplo de fluxo perto do lençol freático em aquíferos rochosos foi usado para comparar uma perspectiva geológica baseada em dados e uma perspectiva hidráulica baseada em teoria para caracterizar aquíferos. A perspectiva geológica mostrou que existem variações verticais sistemáticas na permeabilidade devido ao intemperismo químico e à compressão, e deu respostas mais precisas, mas menos precisas do que a abordagem hidráulica. Consequentemente, a perspectiva geológica pode fornecer uma abordagem complementar útil à perspectiva hidráulica predominante para a caracterização de aquíferos.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks go to John Molson, Stephanie N. Wright, and an anonymous reviewer for their useful review comments. The author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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  1. Worthington Groundwater, Dundas, Ontario, L9H 3K9, Canada

    Stephen R. H. Worthington

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Worthington, S.R.H. Using a geological perspective to improve understanding of bedrock aquifers. Hydrogeol J 31, 1695–1700 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-023-02678-7

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