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The nature and management of saprolite aquifers in the wheatbelt of western Australia
Author(s) -
George Richard J.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
land degradation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1099-145X
pISSN - 1085-3278
DOI - 10.1002/ldr.3400020403
Subject(s) - aquifer , saprolite , groundwater , groundwater recharge , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , soil salinity , water quality , water resource management , geology , soil water , soil science , ecology , geotechnical engineering , biology
Regional weathered‐zone goundwaters in the southern part of Western Australia are primarily stored in a granular saprolite aquifer derived from the isovolumetric weathering of granitic and gneissic rocks. Recent drilling has confirmed the existence of permeable materials capable of yielding groundwater of a suitable quality for livestock. Development of supplies of 10 to 250 kl d −1 is realisic and would complement local livestock, domestic and Government water supply systems. Wheatbelt aquifers currently supply 18 to 25 per cent of all water used for livestock in the agricultural areas of the southern part of Western Australia, although less than 1 per cent of the available resource is being utilized. Unused groundwater, artificially recharged by water‐use inefficiencies of agricultural development, provides both a potential resource and a cause of soil and water quality deterioration. Groundwater pumping may provide one method of aquifer control to mitigate the influence of secondary salinization. Pumping the low transmissivity Wheatbelt aquifers provides a means to lower water‐tables and limit the volume of groundwater reaching saline discharge areas at low points in the landscape. Unlike aquifer pumping systems developed in saline discharge areas, extraction systems in groundwater recharge areas, or in saline areas where groundwaters are of a suitable quality for agricultural use, can be used to mitigate salinity. The volume of groundwater available in southwestern Western Australia usually exceeds livestock requirements, to maintain low water‐tables, the water has either to be pumped to suitable drainage systems or alternative uses must be sought.