A spatial analysis of structural controls on Karst groundwater geochemistry at a regional scale

The coupled spatial investigation of the geometrical and geochemical properties of a chalk karstic aquifer provides information on the degree to which geologic structure controls aquifer functioning and groundwater quality. Major ion concentrations in the chalk aquifer of the Haute-Normandie region (France) were measured at a high spatial, resolution (more than 100 sampling sites over a 6000 km(2) area) and mapped. The first observation is a continuity of the geochemical properties, in spite of the karstic properties of the aquifer principal, components analysis of geochemical maps revealed two types of spatial distributions: ions with an autochthonous origin (Ca2+, HCO3), and ions with a principally allochthonous origin (Cl-, Na+, NO3-, SO42-). Mg2+ was categorised as both autochthonous (chalk dissolution) and allochthonous (brought in by infiltration of Tertiary deposits). To better understand the spatial distribution of the geochemistry, the aquifer geochemistry was compared to the physical properties of the aquifer, in particular aquifer thickness (representing aquifer geometry) and piezometric level (representing aquifer flow). Use of spatial correlation between the geochemical and the geometrical properties provided insight regarding the directional structure of the data and give evidence of directional relations between geochemical and geometrical properties. The degree of mineralisation (principally composed of Ca2+ and HCO3- ions) increased along the direction of flow, corresponding to an increase in chalk dissolution rate along the flowpath. The steepest mineralisation gradients were related to an increase in the Mg/Ca ratio, evidence of longer residence times and corresponding to zones where aquifer flow capacity is limited because of a decrease of the thickness of the flow section (anticlines or faults). These results highlight the dominant role played by the geometry and the structural context in controlling aquifer geochemistry. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.