Fracture Characterization for New Landfill Sites in Crystalline Bedrock: A Case Study from Rogaland, Southwestern Norway.
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| Title: | Fracture Characterization for New Landfill Sites in Crystalline Bedrock: A Case Study from Rogaland, Southwestern Norway. |
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| Authors: | Tariq, Bilal1 (AUTHOR) bilal.tariq@nmbu.no, French, Helen Kristine1 (AUTHOR), Polteau, Stéphane2 (AUTHOR), Anschütz, Helgard3 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering. Jun2025, Vol. 58 Issue 6, p7087-7109. 23p. |
| Subjects: | Waste storage, Hydraulic conductivity, Quarries & quarrying, Isotope geology, Hydraulic fracturing |
| Abstract: | Crystalline bedrock generally has very low permeability, preventing fluid flow; however, fractures can provide critical flow pathways. In the context of landfills developed in crystalline bedrock, a comprehensive understanding of fracture networks is a key for environmentally safe and sustainable waste storage. This study presents the interpretation of borehole logs and Lugeon tests combined with the isotopic composition of well water surrounding a rock quarry to assess its potential as a landfill site. The Rekefjord quarry is located on the southwestern coast of Norway. Structural interpretations indicate randomly distributed fractures, but also steeply dipping fractures that are not well captured by vertical boreholes. To correct for orientation biasness the Terzaghi correction was applied. Most of the borehole fractures display apertures in the range of 2–10 mm and average degrees of connection (D) varies between 3.09 and 1.92. The hydraulic conductivity of 5 m borehole sections range from 1.2 × 10–6 to 1.6 × 10–10 m/s, showing no clear relationship with depth or fracture frequency or aperture. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio measured in groundwater supports the fluid connectivity within the fracture network and indicates mixing with surface water. Although this study provides site specific results, the integrated methodology combining structural analysis, hydraulic testing, and isotopic characterization and findings provide a robust framework applicable to evaluating fracture networks and fluid connectivity in similar crystalline bedrock settings. Highlights: Fracture characterization in crystalline bedrock at a potential landfill site was conducted using borehole logging and Lugeon tests data from 8 boreholes. Relationship between hydraulic conductivity and fracture frequency indicate no consistent relationship. Fractures are distributed heterogeneously and with random directions, but dominantly steeply dipping. Fractures network connectivity has significant variability across the site, suggesting preferential flow pathways at potential landfill site. Isotope geochemical analysis reveals fluid connectivity indicating surface water and groundwater mixing through conductive fracture systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | Crystalline bedrock generally has very low permeability, preventing fluid flow; however, fractures can provide critical flow pathways. In the context of landfills developed in crystalline bedrock, a comprehensive understanding of fracture networks is a key for environmentally safe and sustainable waste storage. This study presents the interpretation of borehole logs and Lugeon tests combined with the isotopic composition of well water surrounding a rock quarry to assess its potential as a landfill site. The Rekefjord quarry is located on the southwestern coast of Norway. Structural interpretations indicate randomly distributed fractures, but also steeply dipping fractures that are not well captured by vertical boreholes. To correct for orientation biasness the Terzaghi correction was applied. Most of the borehole fractures display apertures in the range of 2–10 mm and average degrees of connection (D) varies between 3.09 and 1.92. The hydraulic conductivity of 5 m borehole sections range from 1.2 × 10–6 to 1.6 × 10–10 m/s, showing no clear relationship with depth or fracture frequency or aperture. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio measured in groundwater supports the fluid connectivity within the fracture network and indicates mixing with surface water. Although this study provides site specific results, the integrated methodology combining structural analysis, hydraulic testing, and isotopic characterization and findings provide a robust framework applicable to evaluating fracture networks and fluid connectivity in similar crystalline bedrock settings. Highlights: Fracture characterization in crystalline bedrock at a potential landfill site was conducted using borehole logging and Lugeon tests data from 8 boreholes. Relationship between hydraulic conductivity and fracture frequency indicate no consistent relationship. Fractures are distributed heterogeneously and with random directions, but dominantly steeply dipping. Fractures network connectivity has significant variability across the site, suggesting preferential flow pathways at potential landfill site. Isotope geochemical analysis reveals fluid connectivity indicating surface water and groundwater mixing through conductive fracture systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 07232632 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00603-025-04494-9 |
