Regional groundwater geochemical mapping in Ontario based on a multi-use, publicly available data resource

S.M. Hamilton, K.M. Dell, E.H. Priebe

Dans les comptes rendus d’articles de la conférence: GeoNiagara 2021: 74th Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 14th joint with IAH-CNC

ABSTRACT: Regional groundwater geochemical mapping is increasingly being carried out in jurisdictions around the World. In addition to the obvious public health uses, it has great utility in regional hydrogeological studies including those related to recharge timing, flow systems, geohazards, subsurface karst and delineation of anthropogenic influence. The Ontario Geological Survey has been mapping groundwater chemistry in southern Ontario since 2007 and in northeastern Ontario since 2016. The data all originate from primary sampling and analysis by the OGS and its partners, using a consistent sampling methodology and a geochemical characterization that includes 15 separate analytical datasets. Each of these is subject to rigorous quality control program based on 15% blind controls including duplicates, analytical blanks and multiple method-specific blind internal standards inserted either once or twice in every block of 20 samples. An equally rigorous audit of field-collected station parameters allows the source of the water to be determined and any mixed waters, treated or contaminate waters isolated and removed if necessary. The broad chemical characterization of the AGG dataset was specifically intended to facilitate multiple uses by a wide variety of users including by other government agencies, consultants, academia and the general public. As such, the data include components that would not be of use in all studies. With purpose-specific querying and filtering, there is an almost limitless number of potential uses for the dataset. It has already been used in many ways and for purposes that could not have been anticipated prior to the start of the study. Outcomes include 15 graduate and undergraduate theses, 9 published peer-reviewed works, with more pending and dozens of government reports and papers.

Please include this code when submitting a data update: GEO2021_459

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