Fracture Analysis of the Ribeirao Preto Basalts, SP: Application for Developing a Conceptual Hydrogeological Model

The study of the physical geology and geochemistry of the Ribeirão Preto basalts was part of a hydrogeologicalresearch, which aimed to investigate the recharge of the Guarani Aquifer System (SAG) through the basalts of the SerraGeral Aquifer (ASG), a project shortly named FRATASG. In addition to the...

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Main Authors: Amélia João Fernandes, Carlos Henrique Maldaner, Alain Rouleau
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2011-12-01
Series:Geologia USP. Série Científica
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ppegeo-local.igc.usp.br/pdf/guspsc/v11n3/v11n3a03.pdf
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author Amélia João Fernandes
Carlos Henrique Maldaner
Alain Rouleau
author_facet Amélia João Fernandes
Carlos Henrique Maldaner
Alain Rouleau
author_sort Amélia João Fernandes
collection DOAJ
description The study of the physical geology and geochemistry of the Ribeirão Preto basalts was part of a hydrogeologicalresearch, which aimed to investigate the recharge of the Guarani Aquifer System (SAG) through the basalts of the SerraGeral Aquifer (ASG), a project shortly named FRATASG. In addition to the hydrogeological research, a detailed geologicalinvestigation was conducted to develop a conceptual model of groundwater fl ow in complex aquifers, as is the case ofthe fractured basalts of the ASG. Therefore, this study included a thorough structural survey and analysis of horizontaland subvertical fractures, which resulted in the identifi cation of four tectonic events. It was concluded that the verticalgroundwater flow is important up to 10 m in depth and, secondarily, up to 25 m. Horizontal fl ow, more evident up to thedepth of 50 m, predominates and occurs along sub-horizontal fractures, which occur mainly at the contact between basalts2 and 3 and in its vicinity. Because the great majority of subvertical fractures do not propagate into the vesicular layers,which occur at the basalt contacts, it is suggested that these layers act as regional hydraulic barriers, and greatly hamperthe recharge of the SAG through the ASG. As a consequence, groundwater flow in the basalt stack is of stratabound type,as it occurs mainly along the basalt contacts. Based on diagnostic features of the fl ow, it is proposed in this study that the vertical flow,which crosses the basalt stack reaching the SAG, is local and probably occurs along NE structures.
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spelling doaj.art-2212a16614f94521b6234ea4bdf266b92022-12-21T23:19:31ZengUniversidade de São PauloGeologia USP. Série Científica1519-874X2011-12-011134364Fracture Analysis of the Ribeirao Preto Basalts, SP: Application for Developing a Conceptual Hydrogeological ModelAmélia João FernandesCarlos Henrique MaldanerAlain RouleauThe study of the physical geology and geochemistry of the Ribeirão Preto basalts was part of a hydrogeologicalresearch, which aimed to investigate the recharge of the Guarani Aquifer System (SAG) through the basalts of the SerraGeral Aquifer (ASG), a project shortly named FRATASG. In addition to the hydrogeological research, a detailed geologicalinvestigation was conducted to develop a conceptual model of groundwater fl ow in complex aquifers, as is the case ofthe fractured basalts of the ASG. Therefore, this study included a thorough structural survey and analysis of horizontaland subvertical fractures, which resulted in the identifi cation of four tectonic events. It was concluded that the verticalgroundwater flow is important up to 10 m in depth and, secondarily, up to 25 m. Horizontal fl ow, more evident up to thedepth of 50 m, predominates and occurs along sub-horizontal fractures, which occur mainly at the contact between basalts2 and 3 and in its vicinity. Because the great majority of subvertical fractures do not propagate into the vesicular layers,which occur at the basalt contacts, it is suggested that these layers act as regional hydraulic barriers, and greatly hamperthe recharge of the SAG through the ASG. As a consequence, groundwater flow in the basalt stack is of stratabound type,as it occurs mainly along the basalt contacts. Based on diagnostic features of the fl ow, it is proposed in this study that the vertical flow,which crosses the basalt stack reaching the SAG, is local and probably occurs along NE structures.http://ppegeo-local.igc.usp.br/pdf/guspsc/v11n3/v11n3a03.pdfSerra Geral FormationStructural geologyTectonicsGroundwater flowFractured aquiferRecharge of the Guarani Aquifer System
spellingShingle Amélia João Fernandes
Carlos Henrique Maldaner
Alain Rouleau
Fracture Analysis of the Ribeirao Preto Basalts, SP: Application for Developing a Conceptual Hydrogeological Model
Geologia USP. Série Científica
Serra Geral Formation
Structural geology
Tectonics
Groundwater flow
Fractured aquifer
Recharge of the Guarani Aquifer System
title Fracture Analysis of the Ribeirao Preto Basalts, SP: Application for Developing a Conceptual Hydrogeological Model
title_full Fracture Analysis of the Ribeirao Preto Basalts, SP: Application for Developing a Conceptual Hydrogeological Model
title_fullStr Fracture Analysis of the Ribeirao Preto Basalts, SP: Application for Developing a Conceptual Hydrogeological Model
title_full_unstemmed Fracture Analysis of the Ribeirao Preto Basalts, SP: Application for Developing a Conceptual Hydrogeological Model
title_short Fracture Analysis of the Ribeirao Preto Basalts, SP: Application for Developing a Conceptual Hydrogeological Model
title_sort fracture analysis of the ribeirao preto basalts sp application for developing a conceptual hydrogeological model
topic Serra Geral Formation
Structural geology
Tectonics
Groundwater flow
Fractured aquifer
Recharge of the Guarani Aquifer System
url http://ppegeo-local.igc.usp.br/pdf/guspsc/v11n3/v11n3a03.pdf
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AT alainrouleau fractureanalysisoftheribeiraopretobasaltsspapplicationfordevelopingaconceptualhydrogeologicalmodel