Abstract
Weathering and compression are important processes that influence how permeability varies with depth below the Earth’s surface. Analysis of permeability measurements suggests that the rapid permeability decrease in shallow crystalline bedrock to a depth of ~200 m is primarily a function of weathering, and that compression causes a steady reduction in permeability with depth. The depth of the base of weathering increases with rock dissolution rate, and varies from ~20 m in shale to sometimes >1,000 m in carbonate rocks.
Résumé
L'altération et la compression sont des processus importants qui influencent la façon dont la perméabilité varie en fonction de la profondeur sous la surface de la Terre. L’analyse des mesures de perméabilité suggère que la diminution rapide de la perméabilité dans un substrat rocheux cristallin peu profond jusqu’à une profondeur d’environ 200 m est principalement liée à l’altération, et que la compression provoque une réduction constante de la perméabilité avec la profondeur. La profondeur de la partie inférieure de l’horizon d’altération augmente avec le taux de dissolution des roches, et varie d’environ 20 m dans les schistes à parfois plus de 1000m dans les roches carbonatées.
Resumen
La meteorización y la compactación son procesos importantes que influyen en la variación de la permeabilidad con la profundidad bajo la superficie terrestre. El análisis de las mediciones de permeabilidad sugiere que la rápida disminución de la permeabilidad en el basamento rocoso poco profundo hasta una profundidad de ~200 m es principalmente una función de la meteorización, y que la compactación provoca una reducción constante de la permeabilidad con la profundidad. La profundidad de la base de meteorización aumenta con la velocidad de disolución de la roca, y varía desde ~20 m en esquistos hasta a veces >1000 m en rocas carbonáticas.
摘要
风化和压缩是影响渗透性随地球地表深度变化的重要过程。渗透性测量分析表明,浅层结晶基岩中渗透性在约200 m深度内快速下降,主要是由于风化作用,而压缩则导致渗透性随深度逐渐减少。风化基底的深度随着岩石溶解速率的增加而增加,在页岩中约为20 m,而在碳酸盐岩中有时超过1000 m。
Resumo
O intemperismo e a compressão são processos importantes que influenciam a forma como a permeabilidade varia com a profundidade abaixo da superfície da Terra. A análise das medições de permeabilidade sugere que a rápida diminuição da permeabilidade em rochas cristalinas rasas até uma profundidade de ~200 m é principalmente uma função do intemperismo, e que a compressão causa uma redução constante na permeabilidade com a profundidade. A profundidade da base do intemperismo aumenta com a taxa de dissolução da rocha, e varia de ~20 m em xistos até às vezes >1000 m em rochas carbonáticas.
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Thanks go to reviewers Patrick Lachassagne and Jean-Christophe Comte for their perceptive comments on the manuscript. The author states that there is no conflict of interest.
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Worthington, S.R.H. Impact of weathering on permeability-depth trends in bedrock aquifers. Hydrogeol J (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-024-02803-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-024-02803-0