CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Bajc, A.F.; Endres, A.L.; Hunter, J.A.; and Pullan, S.E.
Date : 2004.
Title : 3-Dimensional mapping of Quaternary deposits in Waterloo region, southwestern Ontario.
Publication : 49th Annual Meeting of the Geological Association and the Mineralogical Association of Canada. May 12-14, 2004. Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
Pressures directed at protecting and preserving the quality and sustainability of groundwater resources within the province of Ontario have greatly increased over the past decade. Public awareness of these key issues has escalated with the release of the Walkerton Inquiry report that recommended the establishment and implementation of province-wide, watershed-based source protection plans. In response to this directive, the Ontario Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Geological Survey of Canada, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo (RMOW), the Grand River Conservation Authority and the University of Waterloo, has embarked on a project of 3-dimensional geologic mapping of the Quaternary sediments that lie within the RMOW. The RMOW was chosen for study since it is the largest municipal user of groundwater in Canada and has a population growth rate of 1.5% per year. The main objectives of this project are to characterize the geometry and inherent properties of subsurface deposits to assist with the development of policies surrounding land use and nutrient management, to aid in studies involving groundwater protection and remediation and to better understand the interaction between ground and surface waters. Three main areas of work are currently ongoing as part of this project. These can be summarized as: 1) data compilation and standardization; 2) acquisition of new geologic and geophysical data; and 3) data interpretation, synthesis and presentation. To date, our working database consists of in excess of 25 000 subsurface records derived from a variety of sources of varying data quality. The development of a conceptual geologic model for the interpretation of this data was undertaken by the examination of all available vertical exposures, relogging of selected archived core, acquisition of seismic reflection and ground penetrating radar data and continuous coring of strategically placed boreholes. There are currently, in excess of 450 geophysically logged boreholes within the RMOW. Geophysical logging of the newly cored holes will assist with the interpretation of logs from non-cored holes. Data interpretation and synthesis is a labour intensive, iterative process that will require the use of high-powered GIS tools and 3-dimensional viewing software. To date, a number of software programs have been utilized in the interpretation and synthesis process. The 3-dimensional data is housed in an Access database where it can be easily queried and updated. Preliminary interpretations of the data have been undertaken using ESRI products such as ArcGIS and ArcScene as well as Viewlog and GoCAD. Following the construction of a 3-dimensional geologic model, activities will focus on the development of both technical and "user-friendly" derivative products.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology