Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater origin of the Basses-Laurentides sedimentary rock aquifer system, St. Lawrence lowlands, Quebec, Canada

A comprehensive hydrogeochemical study was carried out in the Paleozoic Basses-Laurentides sedimentary rock aquifer system in Quebec over a 1500 km(2) study area. Groundwater samples were collected at 153 sites, characterizing all geological and hydrogeological units to a maximum depth of 140 m. Groundwater was analyzed for major, minor and trace inorganic constituents, stable isotopes delta H-2, delta O-18, and delta C-13 of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and some samples were analyzed for H-3, and C-14 of DIC. The regional distribution of groundwater types shows that the hydrogeological conditions exert a dominant control on the major ions chemistry of groundwater. Preferential recharge areas are characterized by tritiated Ca-Mg-HCO3 groundwater, and confined conditions by submodern Na-HCO3 and Na-Cl groundwater types. Two groundwater end-members are identified in the aquifer system, modern meteoric water and Pleistocene Champlain Sea water. The region displays significant variations of groundwater geochemistry and quality controlled by glaciation, Champlain Sea invasion, lithological rock diversity, and flow system scales. This situation leads to varied groundwater types and origins within a restricted area.