South-Central Carboniferous Basin regional aquifer system

Aquifer System

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f64ad8c6-548f-4f2a-927d-a28f36a47c67
Project
Carboniferous Basin

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South-Central Carboniferous Basin regional aquifer system unit description

Update:2014-02-05
In ascending order, the hydrogeological units are: basement complex, Horton-Windsor-Mabou, Boss Point, Salisbury, Cumberland und.-Richibucto-Balfron-Pictou und. and Prince Edward Island (PEI). Cumberland undivided formation is separated of the Richibucto-Balfron-Pictou undivided unit by Salisbury formation. The internal stratigraphy of these units is complex and often laterally discontinuous. Horton-Windsor-Mabou unit represents several alluvial-lacustrine or alluvial-marine cycles in the early basin fill. It is covered by multiple stacked cycles of meandering fluviatile, inter-channel, and paludal deposits (Boss Point, Salisbury, Cumberland und.-Richibucto-Balfron-Pictou units). The PEI unit represents strata of the Early Permian. The rock units outcropping are covered by a till layer, whose thickness varies between 0-20 m. The till matrix influences the aquifer potential of the underlying hydrogeological units. Boss Point and PEI are located under a till with a sandy matrix. They have the most important aquifer potentials and recharge rates of the area. These units have a greater vulnerability to contamination by the surface. The formation of Salisbury is located under the till with silty matrix. It is characterized by poor aquifer potential and low vulnerability. Horton-Windsor-Mabou unit also have a low aquifer potential. Groundwater flows through the rock fractures and interconnected pores between grains. Fractures have a much higher permeability than the surrounding matrix, thus water flows mainly in fractures. Northumberland Strait and Fundy Bay are the two major areas of resurgence. The groundwater quality is generally excellent.
Physiography
Hydrogeological regionMaritime Bassin
Hydrogeological context
ReliefThe topography of the regional aquifer area is relatively flat. Elevation generally ranges from sea level to about 150 m, although it may reach 300 m in the pre-Carboniferous rocks located in the southern part of the area in the Caledonia and Cobequid Moutains.
Area14176.00 km2
Lithology
DescriptionIn ascending order, the hydrogeological units are: basement complex, Horton-Windsor-Mabou, Boss Point, Cumberland undivided, Salisbury, Richibucto-Balfron-Pictou undivided and Prince Edward Island (PEI). Cumberland undivided formation is separated of the Richibucto-Balfron-Pictou undivided unit by Salisbury formation. The internal stratigraphy of these units is complex and often laterally discontinuous. The Horton Group consists of a sequence of sedimentary and volcanic rocks that is overlain by the marine limestone and evaporates strata of the Windsor Group. The marine beds are overlain by thick assemblages of continental origin, which correspond to the Riversdale-Mabou, Cumberland and Pictou groups. The PEI group is composed of conglomerate, wackle, red sandstone and mudstone. The outcropping rock units are covered with a till layer.
Source
Aquifer
AquifersList of aquifer Prince Edward Island Richibucto-Balfron-Pictou undivided Salisbury Cumberland undivided Boss Point

Unit properties

Bedrock aquifer media
Typical value:porous - fractured
Description The regional rock aquifer includes diverse hydrogeological units. In ascending order: Prince Edward Island Richibucto-Balfron-Pictou undivided Salisbury Cumberland undivided Boss Point Horton-Windsor-Mabou basement complex The internal stratigraphy of these units is complex and often laterally discontinuous.
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin
Confinement
Typical value:confined - semi confined - unconfined
Description The system can be considered semi-confined, but confined and unconfined conditions can be found, mainly depending on the till layer composition.
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin
Groundwater storage
Description Significant quantities of water, especially in sandstones and conglomerates, can be stored into the matrix of the rock.
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin
Surficial sediment thickness
Description In New Brunswick, the till thickness varies between 0-20 m. The average thickness is 8 m for New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In PEI, the till thickness varies 0-8 m.
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin
Surficial unit hydraulic conductivity
Description Till hydraulic conductivity is function of the matrix. For the sandy till matrix: 1,3E-6 m/s For the silty till matrix: 6,5E-9 m/s For the moderately permeable till matrix: 40 first cm: K=1,4E-6 m/s and for the remaining: 6,5E-9 m/s.
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin
Bedrock hydraulic conductivity
Range: [1e-06 to ] m/s
Description The hydraulic conductivities of the hydrogeological units vary between two ranges: 1) K above 1E-6 m/s and below 5E-5 m/s; 2) K above 5E-5 m/s.
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin
Regional recharge
Description The most important recharge areas are the hydrogeological units of Boss Point, PEI and Richibucto-Balfron-Pictou undivided-Cumberland undivided.
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin
Regional discharge
Description The main discharges are Northumberland Strait and Fundy Bay.
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin
Hydrogeological unit potential
Description Aquifer potential varies according to hydrogeological unit: Prince Edward Island - one of the best potential Richibucto-Balfron-Pictou undivided - good potential Salisbury - poor potential Cumberland undivided - good potential Boss Point - one of the best potential Horton-Windsor-Mabou - poor potential basement complex - poor potential
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin
Aquifer vulnerability
Description The hydrogeological units with high vulnerability are covred by a sandy matrix till (Boss Point and PEI). The units having a low vulnerability are covered by a silty matrix till (Salisbury) or show low permeability (basement complex). The other units have moderate vulnerability.
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin
Groundwater Quality
Description The groundwater quality is generally excellent.
Source Hydrogeological Atlas of South-Central Area of the Maritimes Carboniferous Basin