See more from this Division: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies
See more from this Session: Environmental Geology I and Hydrology
Abstract:
Chronostratigraphic correlations were used to develop model layers that group sediments which are likely to be in lateral hydraulic communication. Such sediment layers are bounded, by definition, by clay-rich marine flooding events (maximum flooding surfaces), and thus are less likely to be hydraulically connected to layers above and below. Sand thickness distribution for the model layers was calculated from geophysical logs and the distribution was used to map depositional facies. Depositional facies strongly influence hydraulic parameters because they govern original sediment grain size, sorting and degree of interlaminated fine material. Our analysis suggests that significant hydraulic property variability exists between fluvial and coastal plain environments within the study area. To properly identify layer boundaries and depositional facies, stratigraphic correlations must be carried downdip several thousand feet into more marine sediments. This allows incorporation in the model of regions of more brackish waters. Brackish water resources are of increasing interest as the possibility of desalinization projects grows.
See more from this Division: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies
See more from this Session: Environmental Geology I and Hydrology