SUBGLACIAL RECHARGE INTO THE WESTERN CANADA SEDIMENTARY BASIN - IMPACT OF PLEISTOCENE GLACIATION ON BASIN HYDRODYNAMICS

2006 Philadelphia Annual Meeting (22–25 October 2006)
Paper No. 135-1

Presentation Time: 8:10 AM-8:30 AM

SUBGLACIAL RECHARGE INTO THE WESTERN CANADA SEDIMENTARY BASIN - IMPACT OF PLEISTOCENE GLACIATION ON BASIN HYDRODYNAMICS
GRASBY, Stephen E.¹, FERGUSON, Grant², and CHEN, Zhuoheng¹, (1) Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, 3303 33rd St. NW, Calgary, AB T2L 2A7, Canada, zchen@nrcan.gc.ca, (2) Earth Sciences, St. Francis Xavier University, P.O. Box 5000, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5, Canada Brine springs discharging from Devonian carbonates of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin have distinct water chemistry from brines in laterally equivalent units deeper in the basin. Stable isotope data suggests that the brine springs originated as Pleistocene melt water. These waters are interpreted to originate as an influx of subglacial meltwater related to a reversal of the basin-scale flow-system, caused by the overriding ice sheet. Esker distribution shows a notable relationship between shield and sedimentary rocks. An integrated sedimentary basin/ice sheet model supports the interpretation that high permeability carbonate units acted as preferential subglacial drains that in turn affected esker development. The fluid flow history of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin is characterized by back-and-forth movement through geological time in response to changing boundary conditions. Modern day flow systems may not then be indicative of historic movement of economic fluids through the basin.
2006 Philadelphia Annual Meeting (22–25 October 2006) General Information for this Meeting

Session No. 135 Impact of Past Glaciations and Climate on Present-day Subsurface Water Resources: Geochemical, Hydrogeological and Modeling Studies Pennsylvania Convention Center: 103 A 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, Tuesday, 24 October 2006 Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 38, No. 7, p. 333
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