Confined carbonates – Regional scale hydraulic interaction or isolation?

摘要: Abstract This study examines the patterns of groundwater flow and salinity in a region confined basement carbonate aquifer along with region's unconfined adjacent part siliciclastic confining strata. An understanding regional-scale this setting may prompt rethinking traditional view. According to that view carbonates are bounded isolated by impermeable layers from their surroundings. A basin-scale analysis subsurface conditions promises better accentuate otherwise unseen signs hydraulic communication both horizontally vertically between different parts domain. reveals various regimes exist, area Paleogene Basin, Hungary. The pattern intensity these depend on elevation structures, thickness, conductivity heterogeneity covering layers. Effects gravity-driven regional were identified down an of −500 m asl including recharge discharge areas. Hydraulic occurs laterally zone but direction influenced aquitards or Nevertheless, boundaries (a colinear ridge north sink south) recognized area. impedes horizontal shallower unconfined-to west deeper east. Southeasterly through-flow can be observed below −500 m which terminates regionally underpressured due aquitard uplift. Both overpressured blocks faults appear influence vertical connections vicinity significant strike-slip faults. thus affect pattern, hydrocarbon migration as result planning geothermal exploration. Consequently, priori assumption impermeability hydraulically compartments below seems oversimplification.