## Electronic Theses and Dissertations

1991

Master Thesis

M.A.Sc.

#### Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Hydrology.

#### Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

An environmental isotope and computer flow model investigation was undertaken to assess the distribution of groundwater flow in the freshwater aquifer located in southwestern Ontario and southeastern Michigan within the Lake Huron to Lake Erie corridor. The freshwater aquifer consists of a discontinuous thin layer of granular material located at the glacial overburden--bedrock interface which is nearly everywhere confined by a thick clay till layer. Groundwater samples were obtained from the freshwater aquifer for which $\sp{18}$O concentration and electrical conductivity values were measured. These values were combined with $\sp{18}$O, deuterium and tritium concentrations and electrical conductivity values from previous studies completed within the study area to determine the residence times and movement patterns of groundwater within the aquifer. In addition, a discrete state mixing cell model was developed utilizing $\sp{18}$O concentration history to estimate groundwater flow rates in the freshwater aquifer. A one-dimensional discrete state mixing cell computer model, called the Simplified Discrete State Flow Model or SDSFM, was developed for this study from the equations of continuity. The model utilized $\sp{18}$O concentration history to estimate groundwater flow rates in the freshwater aquifer. Hydraulic conductivity (K) and average linear groundwater velocity ($\bar\upsilon$) was calculated. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Geological Engineering. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1991 .C856. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 31-01, page: 0250. Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1991.