Abstract
Fluvial systems tend to deposit sediment in well-defined relational geometries and in vertically and laterally repeating patterns. These sedimentary deposits are preserved to varying degrees depending on how much the fluvial system reworks the deposits. The Paskapoo bedrock aquifer system in southern Alberta, Canada, was deposited in a foreland depositional basin during uplift of the Rocky Mountains, and both the geomorphic model and field evidence indicate that the upper 100 m of the local aquifer system contains well-preserved, highly connected paleo-channels and associated overbank deposits. In order to evaluate the value of different types of data, a simplified stochastic-numerical groundwater flow model was developed to examine the sensitivity of results to model parameters. Parameters examined include: fraction of the formation made up of channel sands; meander and sinuosity factors; width-to-depth ratios of preserved channels; and crevasse splay conductivity. In all cases examined, the system exhibited anisotropic behavior with the along-channel flow direction being the most permeable and the vertical direction being least permeable. In general, the strongest control on the resulting effective anisotropic hydraulic conductivities was channel fraction, but geometric factors that control between-channel connectivity (e.g., channel sinuosity) had an appreciable effect on the across-channel flow direction effective permeability.
Résumé
Des systèmes fluviaux tendent à déposer le sédiment selon des dispositions géométriques bien définies et suivant des séquences verticales et latérales répétitives. Ces dépôts sédimentaires sont préservés à des degrés divers en fonction de leur volume de remobilisation par le système fluvial. La formation basale du système aquifère de Paskapoo, au Sud de l’Alberta, Canada, s’est déposée dans un bassin d’avant-pays pendant la surrection des Montagnes Rocheuses. Le modèle géomorphique et les données de terrain indiquent que les 100 m supérieurs du système aquifère contiennent localement des paléo-chenaux fortement connectés associés à des dépôts de débords. On a développé un modèle stochastique-numérique simplifié de flot d'eau souterraine dans le but d’évaluer les différents types de données et d’examiner la sensibilité des résultats aux valeurs des paramètres du modèle. Les paramètres examinés incluent: la fraction de la formation constituée de sables de chenal; les facteurs liés aux méandres et à la sinuosité; le rapport largeur-profondeur des chenaux préservés; et la conductivité des crevasses ouvertes. Dans tous les cas examinés le système est anisotrope, avec la plus forte perméabilité dans la direction de flot longitudinal du chenal et la plus faible dans la direction verticale. Généralement, le facteur contrôlant le plus fortement l’anisotropie résultante des conductivités hydrauliques est le chenal, mais des facteurs géométriques contrôlant la connectivité inter-chenaux (e.g. la sinuosité des chenaux) ont un effet sensible sur le flot transverse des chenaux.
Resumen
Los sistemas fluviales tienden a depositar sedimentos en geometrías relacionadas bien definidas y en esquemas vertical y lateralmente repetitivos. Estos depósitos sedimentarios son preservados en distintos grados dependiendo del grado en que sistema fluvial retrebaja los depósitos. El sistema acuífero de rocas de basamento de Paskapoo en el sur de Alberta, Canada, fue depositado en un cuenca deposicional de antepaís durante el ascenso de las Montañas Rocosas, y tanto el modelo geomorfológico como las evidencias de campo indican que los 100 m superiores del sistema acuífero local contiene paleocanales bien preservados y altamente conectados y depósitos asociados a bancos fluviales. Con el objeto de asignarle valor a los diferentes tipos de datos se desarrolla un modelo numérico estocástico simplificado de flujo de aguas subterráneas para examinar la sensibilidad de los resultados respecto a los parámetros del modelo. Los parámetros examinados incluyen: la fracción de la formación compuesta por arenas de los canales, factores de sinuosidad y meandrosidad: relaciones ancho a profundidad de los canales preservados, y conductividad extendida de las grietas. En todos los casos examinados, el sistema exhibió comportamiento anisotrópico con la dirección de flujo, siendo la dirección de flujo a lo largo del canal la más permeable y la dirección vertical la menos permeable. En general, la fracción del canal resultó el control más fuerte sobre las conductividades hidráulicas efectivas resultantes, pero los factores geométricos que controlan la conectividad entre canales (por ejemplo sinuosidad del canal) tuvieron un efecto apreciable en la permeabilidad efectiva de la dirección de flujo transversal.
摘要
冲积系统趋向于将沉积物沉积为明确的相关几何体, 并在垂向和侧向上重复。这些沉积物保存程度不同, 决定于冲积系统对该沉积改造的多少。加拿大Alberta南部的Paskapoo基岩含水层系统系落基山脉抬升时形成的前陆沉积盆地沉积, 地貌模型和野外证据都表明该含水层系统上部100m层段含有保存良好、高度连通的古河道和漫滩沉积。为评估不同类型数据的价值, 建立了一个简化的随机数值地下水流模型, 以考察结果对模型参数的敏感性。参数考察包括:组成该地层的河道砂所占的比例;决口扇渗透系数。所有考察的案例中, 该系统呈现各向异性行为, 沿河道流动方向渗透性最好, 垂向最差。总之, 控制有效各向异性渗透系数的主要因子为河道比例, 但控制河道间连通性的几何因素 (如河道弯曲度) 对于垂直河道流动方向的有效渗透率有显著影响。
Resumo
Os sistemas fluviais tendem a depositar sedimentos em relações geométricas bem definidas, repetindo padrões vertical e lateralmente. Estes depósitos sedimentares são preservados segundo graus diferentes, dependendo da forma como o sistema fluvial retrabalhou esses depósitos. O sistema aquífero sedimentar rochoso de Paskapoo, na Alberta do Sul, Canadá, foi depositado numa bacia deposicional de ante-país durante o levantamento tectónico das Montanhas Rochosas e, quer os modelos geométricos, quer as evidências de campo, indicam que os 100 m superiores do sistema aquífero local contêm paleocanais bem preservados e interligados e depósitos marginais associados. Para se conseguir avaliar o valor dos diferentes tipos de dados, criou-se um modelo numérico estocástico simplificado do escoamento de água subterrânea, de modo a examinar a sensibilidade dos resultados para modelar parâmetros. Os parâmetros examinados incluem: a fracção da formação constituída por areias de canal; factores de meandrização e de sinuosidade; a razão entre largura e profundidade dos canais preservados; e a condutividade dos depósitos de transbordo em leito de cheia (crevasse splay). Em todos os casos examinados o sistema exibiu um comportamento anisotrópico, sendo a direcção da corrente ao longo dos canais a mais permeável e a direcção vertical a menos permeável. Em geral, o mais forte controlo dos resultados efectivos das condutividades hidráulicas anisotrópicas foi a fracção canal, mas os factores geométricos que controlam a conectividade entre estes canais (ex: sinuosidade do canal) tiveram um efeito apreciável na permeabilidade efectiva dos escoamentos transversais à direcção da corrente dos canais.
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Acknowledgements
This research was funded by an Alberta Ingenuity Fellowship and by the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Water Research. The borehole drilling in the West Nose Creek watershed was partially funded by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration Rural Water Development Program, the Alberta Environment Water Research User Group, and the Environment Canada Science Horizons Program. Field assistance was provided by Michael Toews and Lisa Grieef. Figure digitization and preparation was by Ian Anderson. Air permeability tests were conducted by the Alberta Geological Survey. Thanks also to the Hydrogeology Journal editors, Professor Maria-Theresia Schafmeister and Sue Duncan, two anonymous reviewers, and David Sharpe of the Geological Survey of Canada for their thoughtful and helpful comments.
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Burns, E.R., Bentley, L.R., Hayashi, M. et al. Hydrogeological implications of paleo-fluvial architecture for the Paskapoo Formation, SW Alberta, Canada: a stochastic analysis. Hydrogeol J 18, 1375–1390 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0608-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0608-y