Hydrogeochemical Characterization of Groundwater in the Outaouais Region (Quebec, Canada)-A Regional Scale Study

Montcoudiol, N., Molson, J. and Lemieux, J.-M. (2013) Hydrogeochemical Characterization of Groundwater in the Outaouais Region (Quebec, Canada)-A Regional Scale Study. GeoMontreal 2013 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, Montreal, Canada, 29 Sep - 03 Oct 2013.

Abstract

As part of the Québec regional groundwater characterization program (PACES), a detailed groundwater quality survey was undertaken in the Outaouais Region (Québec, Canada). During the summers of 2011 and 2012, 139 samples were taken from municipal and private wells which were analysed for major ions, nutrients, metals and sulphides. About 70% of the samples were obtained from bedrock wells, mainly in the Canadian Shield and the remainder from wells screened in Quaternary deposit aquifers. Analysis quality was evaluated by calculating the anion-cation balance. As a result, 127 samples with anion-cation charge balance errors within ±10 % were used for the determination of hydrogeochemical facies. The classification by facies is also supported by multivariate statistical analysis, namely Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA). The study has identified Champlain Sea invasion, cation exchange and freshwater recharge as the main geochemical processes affecting groundwater chemistry in this region.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Montcoudiol, Dr Nelly
• Authors: Montcoudiol, N., Molson, J., and Lemieux, J.-M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: GeoMontreal2013 Proceedings
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2013 The Authors
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the Authors