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A conceptual hydrogeological model of ophiolite hard-rock aquifers in Oman based on a multiscale and a multidisciplinary approach

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Abstract

Ophiolites are found all over the world: from the Alps to the Himalayas, in Cuba, Papua-New Guinea, New Caledonia, Newfoundland, etc. They are composed of hard rocks—basalt, dolerite, gabbro and peridotite, which are formed at the mid-oceanic ridges, with specific ridge-related tectonic fracturing and intense hydrothermal alteration. Their geological and thus their hydrogeological properties differ from those of both granite or “classical” gabbro and “classical” basaltic lava. A conceptual hydrogeological model of these hard-rock aquifers was developed based on the convergent results of a multidisciplinary approach at several spatial scales, from rock-sample (centimetre) to catchment (kilometre), on well-preserved ophiolite rocks in Oman. In ophiolite rocks, groundwater circulation takes place mostly in the fissured near-surface horizon (≈50 m thick), and, to a lesser degree, in the tectonic fractures. Hydrograph analysis (Water Resour Res 34:233–240, 1977), interpretation of numerous pumping tests using both classical Theis and dual porosity models [Water Resour Res 32:2733–2745, 1996; Comput Geosci J (in press)], and mercury porosity and hydraulic conductivity lab-measurements support the aquifer parameter estimates. The hydraulic conductivity K of the fissured horizon is estimated at 10−5 to 10−6 m/s for gabbro and dolerite, and 10−7 m/s for peridotite. The storage coefficient S of the peridotite aquifer is estimated at 10−3 and appears to be controlled mainly by microcracks (20 to 100 μm wide). Tectonic fractures in the ophiolite have similar hydrodynamic properties regardless of lithology (10−1<T<10−4 m2/s and 10−1<S<10−3) though the probability of obtaining productive wells is two to three times greater in gabbro and dolerite than in peridotite. Some of the tectonic fractures produce small hydrothermal, hyperalkaline springs in the peridotite. The water budget and hydrochemistry of the Oman ophiolite are characterized and support the conceptual hydrogeological model. Despite low annual rainfall, a relatively low hydraulic conductivity and a significant storage coefficient explain why most of the streams in peridotite are perennial.

Resumen

Las rocas ofiolitas se encuentran en muchas partes del mundo desde los Alpes a los Himilaya, Newfoundland, Nueva Caledonia etc. Son rocas duras compuestas de basalto, dolerita, gabro y peridotita que son formadas por los cordones medio-oceánicos y por fracturación relacionada con los cordones tectónicos específicos y alteración hidrotermal intensa. La geología y los propiedades hidrogeológicas varian entre las de granito y gabro “clásico” y lava de basalto “clásico”. Se desarrolló un modelo conceptual de los acuíferos de las rocas duras Basado en los resultados convergentes de un enfoce multidisciplinario a varias escalas a partir de muestras de roca (centímetro) a cuenca kilómetro) enfocado en las rocas ofilíticas bien preservados en Oman. En las rocas ofiolíticas la circulación de agua ocurre principalmente en el horizonte de fisuras cercanas a la superficie (>50 m de espesor) y en un grado menos importante en fracturas tectónicas. Los estimados de los parámetros de estos acuíferos se basan en análisis de hidrógrafos (Water Resour Res 34:233–240, 1977), en la interpretación de pruebas de bombeo usando los modelos clásicos de Theis y de porosidad doble (Hamm y Bidaux 1996; Lods y Gouze, [en prensa]), y porosidad de mecurio y conductividad hidraúlica medida en el laboratorio. La conductividad hidraúlica K del horizonte fisurado se estima en 10E-5 a 10E-6 m-s para gabro y dolerita y 10E-7 para peridotita. El coeficiente de abastecimiento S del acuífero peridotita se estima en 10–3 y parece ser controlado principalmente por microfracturas (20 to 100 μm de ancho). Las fracturas tectónicas en la ofiolita tienen propiedades hidrodinámicas similares independientes de la litología (10–1<T<10–4 m2/s and 10–1<S<10–3) pero la probabilidad de obtener pozos productivos es dos o tres veces mayor en gabro que en dolerita o peridotita. Algunas de las fracturas tectónicas producen pequeñas descargas de agua hidrotermal hiperalcalina en la peridotita. El presupuesto e hidroquímica de las ofilitas de Omán se caracteriza y apoya en el modelo conceptual hidrogeológico. La baja lluvia anual, una conductividad hidraúlica relativamente baja y un coeficiente de abastecimiento importante explican porqué la mejoría de los drenajes en peridotita es peremne.

Résumé

Les ophiolites se trouvent partout dans le monde : des Alpes à l’Hymalaya, à Cuba, Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée, Nouvelle Calédonie, etc. Les ophiolites sont composées de roches dures basaltiques, de dolérites, gabbros et péridotites, qui sont formées aux rides mi-océaniques, avec, en relation avec les rides, une fracturation tectonique et une altération hydrothermale intense. Leurs propriétés géologiques et hydrogéologiques diffèrent de celles des granites ou des gabbros “classiques” ou des laves basaltiques “classiques”. Un modèle hydrogéologique conceptuel des aquifères de hard-rock a été développé sur les résultats convergents d’une approche multidisciplinaire à différentes échelles spatiales, de l’échantillon de roche de quelques centimètres à la taille du bassin versant en kilomètres, des ophiolites bien conservées d’Oman. Dans les roches ophiolitiques, la circulation des eaux souterraines est surtout localisée dans les fissures d’un horizon de surface de plus d’une cinquantaine de mètres et à un degré moindre dans les fractures tectoniques. L’analyse des hydrographes (Water Resour Res 34:233–240, 1977), l’interprétation des nombreux essais de pompage utilisant des modèles classiques de Theis et des modèles à double porosité (Water Resour Res 32:2733–2745, 1996; Comput Geosci J (Soumis), la porosité au mercure et la conductivité hydraulique calculée en laboratoire supportent l’estimation des paramètres de l’aquifère. La conductivité hydraulique K de l’horizon fissuré est estimée entre 10−5 et 10−6 m/s pour les gabbros et les dolérites, et 10−7 m/s pour les péridotites. Le coefficient d’emmagasinement S de l’aquifère de péridotite est estimé à 10−3 et semble être contrôlé par les micro-fractures (20 à 100 μm de largeur). Les fractures tectoniques dans les ophiolites possèdent des propriétés hydrodynamiques en regard de la lithologie (10-1<T<10-4 m2/s et 10-1/S/10-3) bien que la probabilité d’obtenir des puits productifs est trois plus grand dans le grabbro et la dolérite que la péridétite. Quelques unes des fractures tectoniques produisent de petites sources hydrothermales hyperalcalines dans la péridotite. Le bilan hydrologique et hydrochimique de l’ophiolite d’Oman caractérise le modèle hydrogéologique conceptuel. Malgré des faibles précipitations annuelles, une relativement basse conductivité hydraulique et un coefficient d’emmagasinement significatif expliquent pourquoi la plus part des cours d’eau sur les péridotites ne sont jamais taris.

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Acknowledgements

This study was conducted as part of a scientific and technical cooperative project between the Water Department of BRGM (French Geological Survey), the University of Montpellier II’s Tectono-Physics Laboratory, the Ministry of Water Resources of the Sultanate of Oman (M.W.R.) and CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique). It benefited from M.W.R. logistics support and the financial support of the Région Languedoc-Roussillon, BRGM and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sincere thanks are expressed to G. Lods for his advice on the interpretation of dual-porosity pumping-test results and to M. Bakalowicz for the time spent in kindly “pre”-reviewing this paper. Dr. P. Olcott (Managing Editor of HJ), Dr. John Tellam (Associate Editor of HJ) and the two reviewers of the Journal, Dr. P. John Chilton and Dr. Richard Taylor are thanked for their fruitful comments and suggestions. The BRGM Translation Service translated and edited this paper

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BRGM, Water Division, Resource Assessment, Discontinuous Aquifers Unit, Indo-French Center for Ground Water Research, Uppal Road, 500007, Hyderabad, India

    Benoît Dewandel

  2. BRGM, Water Division, Resource Assessment, Discontinuous Aquifers Unit, 1039, rue de Pinville, 34000, Montpellier, France

    Patrick Lachassagne & Bernard Ladouche

  3. ISTEEM, Tectonophysique, U.M. II, c.c. 049, 34095, Montpellier cedex 05, France

    Françoise Boudier

  4. Directorate General for Aquifer Development, Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources, 2575 Ruwi, P.O. Box: 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

    Saïd Al-Hattali & Zaher Al-Suleimani

  5. BRGM, Water Division, Hydrogeological and Geochemical Modelling Unit, BP 6009, 45060, Orleans cedex 2, France

    Jean-Louis Pinault

Authors
  1. Benoît Dewandel
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  2. Patrick Lachassagne
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  3. Françoise Boudier
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  4. Saïd Al-Hattali
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  5. Bernard Ladouche
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  6. Jean-Louis Pinault
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  7. Zaher Al-Suleimani
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Correspondence to Benoît Dewandel.

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Dewandel, B., Lachassagne, P., Boudier, F. et al. A conceptual hydrogeological model of ophiolite hard-rock aquifers in Oman based on a multiscale and a multidisciplinary approach. Hydrogeol J 13, 708–726 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-005-0449-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-005-0449-2

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