Abstract: Geological storage of gases will be necessary in the push to net zero and the energy transition to reduce carbon emissions to atmosphere. These include CO2 geological storage in suitable sandstone reservoirs. Understanding groundwater flow, connectivity and hydrogeochemical processes in aquifer and storage systems is vital to prevent risk and protect important water resources, such as the Great Artesian Basin. Here, we provide a ‘tool-box’ of geochemical assessment methods to provide information on flow patterns through the basin’s aquifers (changes in chemistry along flow path), stagnant versus flowing conditions (cosmogenic isotopes and noble gases), inter-aquifer connectivity and seal properties (major ions, Sr and stable isotopes), water quality (major ions and metals) and general assessments on residence times of groundwater (cosmogenic isotopes and noble gases). This information can be used with reservoir and groundwater models to inform on possible changes in the above-mentioned processes and serve as input parameters for CO2 injection impact modelling. We demonstrate the use and interpretation on an example of a potential CO2 storage geological sequestration site in the Surat Basin, part of the Great Artesian Basin, and the aquifers that overly the reservoir. The stable water isotopes are depleted compared to average rainfall and most likely indicate greater contributions from monsoonal rain events from the northern monsoonal troughs, where amount and rainout effects lead to the depletion rather than colder recharge climates. This is supported by the modern recharge temperatures from noble gases. Inter-aquifer mixing between the Precipice Sandstone reservoir and the Hutton Sandstone aquifer seems unlikely as the Sr isotope ratios are distinctly different suggesting that the Evergreen Formation is a seal in the locations sampled. Mixing, however, occurs on the edges of the basin, especially in the south-east and east where the Surat Basin transitions into the Clarence-Moreton Basin. Groundwater flow appears to be to the south in the Precipice Sandstone, with a component of flow east to the Clarence-Morton Basin. The cosmogenic isotopes and noble gases strongly indicate very long residence times of groundwater in the central south Precipice Sandstone around a proposed storage site. 14C values below analytical uncertainty, R36Cl ratios at secular equilibrium as well as high He concentrations and high 40Ar/36Ar ratios support the argument that groundwater flow in this area is extremely slow or groundwater is stagnant. The results of this study reflect the geological and hydrogeological complexities of sedimentary basins and that baseline studies, such as this one, are paramount for management strategies.

Abstract: Vietnam is a country with a long coastline and a high population density residing in the coastal plains. The largest dry area in Vietnam, the coastal plain of Ninh Thuan province, always lacks water in the first dry months of the year (Jan., Feb., Mar., and Apr.). Groundwater is an extremely valuable resource for supplies at this time. Therefore, the objective of this study is to establish a comprehensive approach to sustainable groundwater management in this semi-arid region. This approach is not only mitigating the negative impacts of factors such as climate change, sea level rise, and socio-economic development but also suggesting measures for management of aquifer recharge. A groundwater model for a 3-layer system with variable density flow SEAWAT is built to predict the impacts of climate change and sea level rise without a change in groundwater abstraction. This model helps to understand the trend of salt intrusion and lowering groundwater level in the study area. Afterwards, scenarios with different ground water abstraction and groundwater development such as ground dam, infiltration basin have been set up to meet the demands of socio-economic development in the future. Predicted results will show the impacts of the groundwater systems in the area such as groundwater level change, and saltwater intrusion. Controlled groundwater abstraction and some measures of groundwater development such as infiltration basin, underground dam would allow for an increase of up to 50000m3/day in the year 2050 without negative impacts on the aquifer system.

Abstract: Water harvesting is the intentional collection and concentration of rainwater and runoff to offset irrigation demands. Secondary benefits include decreased flood and erosion risk. Water harvesting techniques include micro- and macro-catchment systems, floodwater harvesting, and rooftop and groundwater harvesting. The techniques vary with catchment type and size, and the method of water storage. Micro-catchment water harvesting, for example, requires the development of small structures and targets increased water delivery and storage to the root zone whereas macro-catchment systems collect runoff water from large areas. The sustainability of water harvesting techniques at the local level are usually constrained by several factors such as labor, construction costs, loss of productive land, and maintenance, suggesting that multiple solutions are required to sustain the benefits of water harvesting techniques.

Abstract: The quantification of groundwater resources is essential especially in water scarce countries like Namibia. The chloride mass balance (CMB) method and isotopic composition were used in determining groundwater recharge along a precipitation gradient at three sites, namely: Tsumeb (600 mm/a precipitation); Waterberg (450 mm/a precipitation) and Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer (240 mm/a precipitation). Groundwater and rainwater were collected from year 2016–2017. Rainwater was collected monthly while groundwater was collected before, during and after rainy seasons. Rainwater isotopic values for δ18O and δ2H range from −10.70 to 6.10‰ and from −72.7 to 42.1‰ respectively. Groundwater isotopic values for δ18O range from −9.84 to −5.35‰ for Tsumeb; from −10.85 to −8.60‰ for Waterberg and from −8.24 to −1.56‰ for Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer, while that for δ2H range from −65.6 to −46.7‰ for Tsumeb; −69.4 to −61.2‰ for Waterberg and −54.2 to −22.7‰ for Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer. Rainwater scatters along the GMWL. Rainwater collected in January, February and March are more depleted in heavy isotopes than those in November, December, April and May. Waterberg groundwater plots on the GMWL which indicates absence of evaporation. Tsumeb groundwater plots on/close to the GMWL with an exception of groundwater from the karst Lake Otjikoto which is showing evaporation. Groundwater from Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer shows an evaporation effect, probably evaporation occurs during infiltration since it is observed in all sampling seasons. All groundwater from three sites plot in the same area with rainwater depleted in stable isotopic values, which could indicates that recharge only take place during January, February and March. CMB method revealed that Waterberg has the highest recharge rate ranging between 39.1 mm/a and 51.1 mm/a (8.7% – 11.4% of annual precipitation), Tsumeb with rates ranging from 21.1 mm/a to 48.5 mm/a (3.5% – 8.1% of annual precipitation), and lastly Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer from 3.2 mm/a to 17.5 mm/a (1.4% – 7.3% of annual precipitation). High recharge rates in Waterberg could be related to fast infiltration and absence of evaporation as indicated by the isotopic ratios. Differences in recharge rates cannot only be attributed to the precipitation gradient but also to the evaporation rates and the presence of preferential flow paths. Recharge rates estimated for these three sites can be used in managing the savannah aquifers especially at Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer where evaporation effect is observed that one can consider rain harvesting.

Abstract: Low-frequency vibrations can effectively improve natural sandstone permeability, and higher vibration frequency is associated with larger permeability. However, the optimum permeability and permeability evolution mechanism for uranium leaching and the relationship between permeability and the change of chemical reactive rate affecting uranium leaching have not been determined. To solve the above problems, in this study, identical homogeneous sandstone samples were selected to simulate low-permeability sandstone; a permeability evolution model considering the combined action of vibration stress, pore water pressure, water flow impact force, and chemical erosion was established; and vibration leaching experiments were performed to test the model accuracy. Both the permeability and chemical reactions were found to simultaneously restrict U6+ leaching, and the vibration treatment increased the permeability, causing the U6+ leaching reaction to no longer be diffusion-constrained but to be primarily controlled by the reaction rate. Changes of the model calculation parameters were further analyzed to determine the permeability evolution mechanism under the influence of vibration and chemical erosion, to prove the correctness of the mechanism according to the experimental results, and to develop a new method for determining the optimum permeability in uranium leaching. The uranium leaching was found to primarily follow a process consisting of (1) a permeability control stage, (2) achieving the optimum permeability, (3) a chemical reactive rate control stage, and (4) a channel flow stage. The resolution of these problems is of great significance for facilitating the application and promotion of low-frequency vibration in the CO2 + O2 leaching process.