Groundwater in Fractured Bedrock Environments: Managing Catchment and Subsurface Resources
Fractured bedrock aquifers have traditionally been regarded as low-productivity aquifers, with only limited relevance to regional groundwater resources. It is now being increasingly recognised that these complex bedrock aquifers can play an important role in catchment management and subsurface energy systems. At shallow to intermediate depth, fractured bedrock aquifers help to sustain surface water baseflows and groundwater dependent ecosystems, provide local groundwater supplies and impact on contaminant transfers on a catchment scale. At greater depths, understanding the properties and groundwater flow regimes of these complex aquifers can be crucial for the successful installation of subsurface energy and storage systems, such as deep geothermal or Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage systems and natural gas or CO2 storage facilities as well as the exploration of natural resources such as conventional/unconventional oil and gas. In many scenarios, a robust understanding of fractured bedrock aquifers is required to assess the nature and extent of connectivity between such engineered subsurface systems at depth and overlying receptors in the shallow subsurface.
James Robert Temple Hazell: A Pioneer of African Hydrogeology
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Published:January 01, 2019
Abstract
James Robert Temple Hazell, known to many as Robin Hazell, passed away in March 2017, in Bodmin, Cornwall, aged 89, after a professional life spanning close to 70 years. Robin’s main contributions addressed the exploration for and development of groundwater especially in hard rock areas. Much of this work was undertaken in the country of his first overseas posting, Nigeria, and was primarily spent in the field. He started his career in south and east Nigeria mapping groundwater resources and uncovering links between geology, baseflow and the likelihood of surface water being contaminated. In northern Nigeria he developed conceptual models for how groundwater existed in fractured rocks, and the importance of mineralogy and fractures, and used this knowledge to help site many thousands of successful boreholes. Perhaps Robin’s greatest legacy, however, was his generosity in teaching and mentoring other hydrogeologists. Robin’s last public contribution was his paper at the conference on Groundwater in Fractured Rocks, the subject of this Special Publication.