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Some aspects of regional flow of variable-density groundwater in crystalline basement rock of Sweden

Abstract

The distribution of saltwaters in the Baltic shield in Sweden is consistent with ongoing but incomplete Holocene flushing and depends on the geometry and connectivity of conductive structures at both regional and local scales, and on the surface topography. Numerical simulation of regional variable-density fluid flow during Holocene land-rise and coastal regression shows that the existence of any old saltwater, whether derived from submarine recharge in regions below Sweden`s highest post-glacial coastline or geochemical processes, is an indication either of slow fluid movements through the bedrock over long times, or of long travel distances through fracture systems before arriving at measurement points. During the land-rise period, regional flow is not affected by the variable density of fluids in the upper few kilometers of the shield and the topography of the water table is the only driving force. The spatial distribution of meteoric flushing water and pre-Holocene waters may be complex, with the possibility of relatively fresh water in fracture zones below salty units even at depths of a few kilometers. The domination of the topographic driving force implies that deep saltwater is not necessarily stagnant, and significant saltwater flows may be expected to occur in well-connected horizons even at depth.  More>>
Authors:
Voss, C I; [1]  Andersson, Johan [2] 
  1. US Geological Survey, Reston, VA (United States)
  2. Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate, Stockholm (Sweden)
Publication Date:
Dec 01, 1991
Product Type:
Technical Report
Report Number:
SKI-TR-91-9
Reference Number:
SCA: 540250; 052002; 580000; PA: AIX-24:032508; SN: 93000962851
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Dec 1991
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; 58 GEOSCIENCES; GROUND WATER; LIQUID FLOW; SALINITY; SWEDEN; HYDROLOGY; DENSITY; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; GEOLOGIC FRACTURES; GEOLOGIC HISTORY; GEOLOGY; HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY; RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL; ROCKS; TOPOGRAPHY; UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL; CLIMATIC CHANGE; 540250; 052002; 580000; SITE RESOURCE AND USE STUDIES; WASTE DISPOSAL AND STORAGE; GEOSCIENCES
OSTI ID:
10138321
Research Organizations:
Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate, Stockholm (Sweden)
Country of Origin:
Sweden
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Other: ON: DE93620728; TRN: SE9300031032508
Availability:
OSTI; NTIS; INIS
Submitting Site:
SWDN
Size:
[66] p.
Announcement Date:
Jul 05, 2005

Citation Formats

Voss, C I, and Andersson, Johan. Some aspects of regional flow of variable-density groundwater in crystalline basement rock of Sweden. Sweden: N. p., 1991. Web.
Voss, C I, & Andersson, Johan. Some aspects of regional flow of variable-density groundwater in crystalline basement rock of Sweden. Sweden.
Voss, C I, and Andersson, Johan. 1991. "Some aspects of regional flow of variable-density groundwater in crystalline basement rock of Sweden." Sweden.
@misc{etde_10138321,
title = {Some aspects of regional flow of variable-density groundwater in crystalline basement rock of Sweden}
author = {Voss, C I, and Andersson, Johan}
abstractNote = {The distribution of saltwaters in the Baltic shield in Sweden is consistent with ongoing but incomplete Holocene flushing and depends on the geometry and connectivity of conductive structures at both regional and local scales, and on the surface topography. Numerical simulation of regional variable-density fluid flow during Holocene land-rise and coastal regression shows that the existence of any old saltwater, whether derived from submarine recharge in regions below Sweden`s highest post-glacial coastline or geochemical processes, is an indication either of slow fluid movements through the bedrock over long times, or of long travel distances through fracture systems before arriving at measurement points. During the land-rise period, regional flow is not affected by the variable density of fluids in the upper few kilometers of the shield and the topography of the water table is the only driving force. The spatial distribution of meteoric flushing water and pre-Holocene waters may be complex, with the possibility of relatively fresh water in fracture zones below salty units even at depths of a few kilometers. The domination of the topographic driving force implies that deep saltwater is not necessarily stagnant, and significant saltwater flows may be expected to occur in well-connected horizons even at depth. Local topography variation and fracture zone location combine to create a complex flow field in which local topographic driving forces extend to considerable depth in some areas, whereas regional topographic forces predominate in others. A pattern is difficult to discern in the regional saltwater distribution, though the coastal region is clearly the major zone of discharge for deeper pre-Holocene fluids. During the land-rise period, regional flow equilibrates with changing climatic conditions and coastal positions, while the distribution of flushing water and older waters lags and will perpetually change between successive glaciations.}
place = {Sweden}
year = {1991}
month = {Dec}
}