Spatial heterogeneity of high-resolution Chalk groundwater geochemistry - Underground quarry at Saint Martin-le-Noeud, France

- The quarry provides access to the saturated/unsaturated zone (UZ) limit of Chalk.
- Strong spatial heterogeneity of Chalk groundwater geochemistry was highlighted.
- Spatial correlation between UZ and clay-with-flints thicknesses and geochemistry.
- Ca2+ excess (and NO3−, SO42−, Cl−) originated from agricultural land use.
- Clay-with-flints thickness controls groundwater Mg2+ concentration.

SummaryChalk groundwater is an important aquifer resource in France because it accounts for a production of 12 million m3 y−1 with a large proportion reserved for drinking water. Processes occurring in the unsaturated zone (UZ) and the overlying superficial formations have a high impact on Chalk groundwater geochemistry and require better understanding. The study site is a former underground Chalk quarry located near Beauvais (France) that extends over 1200 m in length, at a depth ranging from 20 to 30 m. The water table intersects the cavity creating 15 underground “lake” that give access to the Chalk groundwater. Lakes geochemistry has been studied: water samples were collected in July 2013 and major ion concentrations were analyzed. UZ and clay-with-flints thickness above each lake were estimated qualitatively using an electromagnetic sensor (EM31) and Underground GPS. The results unexpectedly showed that groundwater quality varied widely in spatial terms for both allochthonous and autochthonous ions (e.g., HCO3− ranged from 2.03 to 4.43 meq L−1, NO3− ranged from 0.21 to 1.33 meq L−1). Principal component analysis indicated the impact of agricultural land use on water quality, with the intake of NO3− as well as SO42−, Cl− and Ca2+. Chalk groundwater geochemistry is compared with the nature and structure of the UZ. We highlight correlations (1) between thick clay-with-flints layers and the ions Mg2+ and K+, and (2) between UZ thickness and Na+. In conclusion, this paper identifies various ion sources (agriculture, clay-with-flints and Chalk) and demonstrates different processes in the UZ: dissolution, ionic exchange and solute storage.