Post on 20-May-2020
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin
May 2018
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
Prepared by: Water Planning Ecology, Department of Environment and Science
© State of Queensland, 2018.
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Citation
McNeil, V.H., Raymond, M.A.A., Bennett, L., McGregor, G.B. and Southwell, B. 2018. Regional groundwater
chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin. Brisbane: Department of Environment and Science, Queensland
Government.
Acknowledgements
This report has been prepared by the Department of Environment and Science. The authors appreciated the technical
assistance and constructive ideas and comments from the following people Adrian McKay, Andrew Biggs, David
Thames, Marianna Joo, Elad Dafney and Kylie Davidson.
May 2018
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
i
1. Addendum to March 2017 report
1.1. Background
The draft Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin report was released in
March 2017 for a three month public consultation period.
This report presented the results of a study to categorise the regional groundwater chemistry of the
Queensland section of the Murray-Darling Basin. It established local groundwater chemistry zones using
groundwater quality data. Draft groundwater water quality percentiles were developed for each chemistry
zone for regional consultation purposes.
Following the consultation period, the submissions received were considered and an update to the report
was required.
1.2. Description
The table below details the amendments that were made to this report following the consideration of
submissions.
Component Amendment Issue addressing
Figure 2-13 Maps have been updated to align with
Fitzroy and Burdekin groundwater layers.
Environmental values have been added to
each chemistry zone.
Figure 4
Alluvial zones
Addition of chemistry zone '13. Upper
Dumaresq'.
Chemistry zone '13. Upper Dumaresq'
was not displayed on Figure 4 despite
having water quality percentiles
presented for this zone in Table 3.
Addition of chemistry zone '14. Macintyre
Brook'.
Chemistry zone '14. Macintyre Brook'
was not displayed on Figure 4 despite
having water quality percentiles
presented for this zone in Table 3.
Figure 5
Fractured rock
zones
Chemistry zone '4. North Western Basalt
remnants' was subdivided into 'Eastern
Basement With Basalt Remnants' and
'Main Range Volcanics'.
'4. North Western Basalt remnants'
consists of scattered remnants on the
watershed, with no data. Subdividing
the zone allows alignment with
chemistry zones in the adjacent Fitzroy
and Burdekin basins.
Chemistry zone '4. North Western Basalt
remnants' replaced by '4. Eastern
This zone was previously split at the
QMDB-Fitzroy basin border despite the
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
ii
Component Amendment Issue addressing
Basement With Basalt Remnants'. The zone
was merged with Fitzroy chemistry zone '3.
Eastern Basement With Basalt Remnants'.
water chemistry data indicating the zone
extends across both basins. Merging the
QMDB and Fitzroy zone allows the cross-
basin zone to be represented, and one
set of water quality objectives now
applies to this zone.
Addition of chemistry zone '5. Main Range
Volcanics'. The zone was merged with
Burdekin chemistry zone '7. Main Range
Volcanics'.
This zone was previously split at the
QMDB-Burdekin basin border despite
the water chemistry data indicating the
zone extends across both basins.
Merging the QMDB and Burdekin zone
allows the cross-basin zone to be
represented, and one set of water
quality objectives now applies to this
zone.
Table 3 - All
Aquifers
Update to water quality percentiles to
include additional groundwater data that
has been obtained since the initial analysis
in 2017.
Table 3 - Fractured rock aquifer
Chemistry zone '4. North Western Basalt
remnants' replaced by '4. Eastern
Basement With Basalt Remnants'. Update
to percentiles to include data from
adjacent zone in Fitzroy.
Merging of water quality data (collected
from east of Sandy Creek) for QMDB
zone '4. North Western Basalt remnants'
with Fitzroy zone '3. Eastern Basement
With Basalt Remnants' to allow
representation of the cross-basin
chemistry zone.
Addition of percentiles for chemistry zone
'5. Main Range Volcanics'.
Merging of water quality data (collected
from west of Sandy Creek) for QMDB
zone '4. North Western Basalt remnants'
with Burdekin zone '7. Main Range
Volcanics' to allow representation of the
cross-basin chemistry zone.
Table 3 - Mid
GAB aquifer
Update to percentiles for chemistry zone
'6. North Wallumbilla Bungil and Mooga'.
Merging of water quality data for QMDB
zone '6. North Wallumbilla Bungil and
Mooga' with Fitzroy zone '3. Bungil and
Mooga Outcrops' to allow
representation of the cross-basin
chemistry zone.
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
iii
Component Amendment Issue addressing
Table 3 - Lower
GAB aquifer
Update to percentiles for chemistry zone
'1. Central Surat Springbok Area' to include
data from adjacent zone in Fitzroy.
Merging of water quality data for QMDB
zone '1. Central Surat Springbok Area'
with Fitzroy zone '1. Central Surat
Springbok Area continued' to allow
representation of the cross-basin
chemistry zone.
Update to percentiles for chemistry zone
'5. Northeastern Hutton Outcrop' to
include data from adjacent zone in Fitzroy.
Merging of water quality data for QMDB
zone '5. Northeastern Hutton Outcrop'
with Fitzroy zone '5. Northeastern
Hutton Outcrop continued' to allow
representation of the cross-basin
chemistry zone.
Update to percentiles for chemistry zone
'6. Northern Hutton Outcrop' to include
data from adjacent zone in Fitzroy.
Merging of water quality data for QMDB
zone '6. Northern Hutton Outcrop' with
Fitzroy zone '9. Northern Hutton
Outcrop continued' to allow
representation of the cross-basin
chemistry zone.
Update to percentiles for chemistry zone
'7. Northern Walloons' to include data from
adjacent zone in Fitzroy.
Merging of water quality data for QMDB
zone '7. Northern Walloons' with Fitzroy
zone '4. Northern Walloons continued'
to allow representation of the cross-
basin chemistry zone.
Table 3 - Basal
GAB aquifer
Update to percentiles for chemistry zone
'1. Precipice Outcrop' to include data from
adjacent zone in Fitzroy.
Merging of water quality data for QMDB
zone '1. Precipice Outcrop' with Fitzroy
zone '3 Precipice Outcrop continued in
Upper Dawson' to allow representation
of the cross-basin chemistry zone.
Update to percentiles for chemistry zone
'2. Eastern Central Area' to include data
from adjacent zone in Fitzroy.
Merging of water quality data for QMDB
zone '2. Eastern Central Area' with
Fitzroy zone '5 Eastern Central Area
continued' to allow representation of
the cross-basin chemistry zone.
Update to percentiles for chemistry zone
'3. Northeastern Evergreen Outcrop' to
include data from adjacent zone in Fitzroy.
Merging of water quality data for QMDB
zone '3. Northeastern Evergreen
Outcrop' with Fitzroy zone '2 South
Eastern Evergreen Outcrop continued'
to allow representation of the cross-
basin chemistry zone.
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
iv
Component Amendment Issue addressing
Table 3 - Earlier
sedimentary
basins
underlying the
GAB
Aquifer name change, from Basins
Underlying GAB.
To align with Fitzroy and Burdekin basin
aquifer name, as the aquifer is a cross-
basin aquifer.
Merging of data from chemistry zone '1.
Bowen Basin' with chemistry zone '2.
Upper Bowen Basin'.
To address a lack of data in each
individual zone.
Update to percentiles for chemistry zone
'1. Bowen Basin' and '2. Upper Bowen
Basin' to include data from adjacent zone
in Fitzroy.
Merging of water quality data for QMDB
zone '1. Bowen Basin' and '2. Upper
Bowen Basin' with Fitzroy zone '8. Lower
Bowen continued' to allow
representation of the cross-basin
chemistry zone.
Update to percentiles for chemistry zone
'3. Galilee Basin' to include data from
adjacent zone in Fitzroy.
Merging of water quality data for QMDB
'3. Galilee Basin' with Fitzroy zone '2.
Southern Galilee Clematis' to allow
representation of the cross-basin
chemistry zone.
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
v
2. Glossary
Terms as used in this document
Al – Aluminium
Alkalinity – ability to neutralize acids to the
equivalence point of carbonate or bicarbonate
Alluvium – loose, friable material eroded and
reshaped by water
Anion – A negatively charged ion (e.g. Cl-).
Aquifer – underground water-bearing permeable
material from which groundwater can be
extracted
Artesian (confined) – groundwater at a lower
elevation than its recharge source, which is
confined under pressure by overlying impervious
beds. Water level will rise when a bore
penetrates the impervious layer. Aquifer may be
‘semi-confined’ if overlying material allows some
leakage.
B – Boron
Basalt – extrusive volcanic rock formed from
rapid cooling of lava
Baseflow – stream flow derived from deep
subsurface flow and delayed shallow subsurface
flow
Baseline quality – The most common water
quality across a zone, under present conditions
Bedrock – native consolidated rock underlying
the surface, usually overlain by weathered
material
Ca – Calcium ion (cation)
Cation – A positively charged ion (e.g. Na+).
Chemical type – chemistry of a groundwater,
characterised by particular ionic equivalence; the
major chemical types identified for QMDB
groundwater are:
1. Sodium bicarbonate
2. Sodium chloride
3. Lower sodium
4. Sulfate rich
5. Analogous to surface water
Ck – Creek
Cl – Chloride ion (anion)
CO3 – Carbonate
Cu – Copper
D/S – Downstream of
DO – Dissolved oxygen
EC – Electrical conductivity, a measure of salinity
measured in µS/cm
EH –Redox potential
Equivalence – amount of a substance which will
either – react with or supply one mole of
hydrogen ions (H+) in an acid–base reaction; or
react with or supply one mole of electrons in a
redox reaction
Evenly proportioned cations – water chemistry
where the major cations (Na, Ca and Mg) are in
roughly even proportions in terms of equivalents,
although in Queensland groundwaters sodium is
usually slightly in excess of each of the others.
F – Fluorine
Fe – Iron
GAB – Great Artesian Basin
GAB Cap – relatively impermeable rock layer
overlying the GAB
GDE – Groundwater dependant ecosystem
GDR – Great Dividing Range
GIS – Geographic information system
GMU – Groundwater management unit
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
vi
Granitic Rock – a rock formed from the molten
state at depth, where slow cooling gave it a
coarse granular texture. True granites have a
narrow range of chemical composition, but the
term is used broadly here to include all rocks of
similar appearance and origin.
Groundwater – water that is stored below the
plant root zone in soil pore spaces or in porous or
fractured rocks. The water table is the depth at
which all available space is saturated.
Group – Groundwaters with similar types of
chemistry.
GW – groundwater
GWDB – Groundwater database
Hardness – Hardness is a water quality parameter
caused primarily by calcium and magnesium ions
in solution. It is expressed as CaCO3 in mgl-1. Hard
water increases the amount of soap or detergent
required for washing, and also deposits mineral
scale or incrustation on kettles, boilers and
pumping equipment. Harder water can, however,
reduce the toxicity to the ecosystem of certain
trace substances. In terms of guidelines, ANZECC
and ARMCANZ (2000) advise that <60 is possibly
corrosive, 60–200 can be considered good
quality, 200–500 requires softening with an
increasing likelihood of scale, and >500 can cause
severe scaling.
HCO3. – Bicarbonate ion (anion)
Ion – An atom or molecule which has either an
excess or shortage of electrons, giving it a
negative charge (anion) or positive charge
(cation) respectively. Dissolved salts are generally
in ionic form, with cations being metallic (i.e. Na,
Ca, Mg) and anions non-metallic (i.e. Cl, SO4,
HCO3).
K – Potassium
Metamorphic – rocks where minerals and
structure have been altered after emplacement,
due to the heat and pressure exerted by deep
burial or earth movements.
Mg – Magnesium ion (cation)
Mn – Manganese
Na – Sodium ion (cation)
NaCl – Sodium chloride
NO3 – Nitrate
NTU – Nephelometric turbidity units
pH – measure of how acidic or alkaline a water is
by the concentration free hydrogen ions in
solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with a
pH of 7 being neutral, values lower than 7 being
acidic, and pH values higher than 7 being alkaline
(basic). For instance, approximate pH values are
orange juice 3, coffee 5, rainwater 6, freshly
distilled water 7, seawater 8, and a baking soda
solution 9 (Decelles 2002).
PO4 – Ortho-phosphate
R – River
RAH – Residual alkali hazard
Recharge – hydrologic process where water
moves downward from surface water to
groundwater
Salinity – the dissolved salt content in water. In
most Queensland natural waters this includes the
cations Na, Ca Mg, and to a lesser extent K, and
the anions Cl and HCO3, with usually smaller
amounts of SO4 and NO3. These are known as the
major ions. Salinity can be measured in several
ways, although these are not exactly comparable:
Total Dissolved Ions (TDI) is a measure of the
major ions in solution expressed in mg/L. This is
most needed by catchment managers because it
can be used to measure mass transport of salts.
An alternative measure is Electrical Conductivity
(EC) which is the ability of the solution to conduct
an electric current in mS/cm. Although EC is
influenced by the type as well as quantity of salts,
as well as by factors such as temperature,
pressure and suspended matter, it is often used
as a substitute for TDI because it is easily
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
vii
measured. Salinity categories in this document
are based on median EC in µS/cm:
EC <200 very low
EC <200–500 low
EC <500–1,500 moderate
EC <1,500–5,000 high
EC >5,000 very high
Salinity is classified variable if the range is
more than twice the median.
SAR – Sodium adsorption ratio is used to measure
the dominance of sodium (Na) in the water
chemistry, and to determine whether Na levels in
irrigation water will cause soil structure to
deteriorate.
SiO2 – Silicon dioxide (or silica)
SO4. – Sulfate ion (anion)
Sodic – waters where sodium dominates the
cations in terms of proportion.
Surface water – water collecting on the ground or
in a stream, river, lake, wetland, or ocean
SW – Surface water
SWDB – Surface water database
SYSTAT – Statistical and graphical software
TDI – Total dissolved ions
TDS – Total dissolved solids
U/S – Upstream of
UA – Unincorporated (groundwater) areas
Water table – the surface where the groundwater
pressure head equals atmospheric pressure
Zn – Zinc
Zone – Geographically delineated area that is
likely to contain groundwater of a particular type
at one or more individual depth classes
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
viii
Contents
1. Addendum to March 2017 report ............................................................................................. i
1.1. Background i
1.2. Description i
2. Glossary ................................................................................................................................... v
Contents ..................................................................................................................................... viii
List of tables ................................................................................................................................. ix
List of figures ............................................................................................................................... ix
3. Executive summary ................................................................................................................. 1
4. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 2
4.1. Approach and objectives 2
4.2. Regional setting 2
5. Data and methods ................................................................................................................... 7
6. Environmental values ............................................................................................................. 9
7. Regional groundwater chemistry zones .............................................................................. 11
8. Regional groundwater quality .............................................................................................. 22
8.1. Border Rivers 23
8.2. Moonie basin 23
8.3. Condamine 24
8.4. Balonne–Culgoa 24
8.5. Western streams 26
9. References ............................................................................................................................. 26
10. Tabulated results ................................................................................................................... 29
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
ix
List of tables
Table 1 QMDB groundwater chemistry zone aquifer system descriptions ..................................... 11
Table 2 Detailed description of water chemistry in each nominated groundwater zone of the QMDB ........................................................................................................................................... 30
Table 3 Statistical summaries of water chemistry within each nominated QMDB groundwater zone .............................................................................................................................................. 47
List of figures
Figure 1 River catchments in the QMDB region, and the structures which define GAB sub-basins . 3
Figure 2 Surface geology ................................................................................................................ 6
Figure 3 Distribution of bores with water chemistry across the QMDB ............................................ 8
Figure 4 Environmental values icons and definitions under EPP Water ........................................ 10
Figure 5 Alluvial zones .................................................................................................................. 13
Figure 6 Fractured rock zones ...................................................................................................... 14
Figure 7 Sediments overlying the GAB ......................................................................................... 15
Figure 8 Upper GAB zones ........................................................................................................... 16
Figure 9 GAB main aquitard zones ............................................................................................... 17
Figure 10 GAB mid aquifer zones ................................................................................................. 18
Figure 11 Lower GAB zones ......................................................................................................... 19
Figure 12 Basal GAB zones .......................................................................................................... 20
Figure 13 Earlier basins partially underlying the GAB ................................................................... 21
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
1
3. Executive summary
The Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 (EPP Water), subordinate legislation to the
Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld.), establishes Healthy Waters Management Plans (HWMPs) as a key
planning mechanism to improve the quality of Queensland waters.
Healthy Waters Management Plans have been developed for the Condamine, Maranoa-Balonne,
Queensland Border Rivers-Moonie, and Warrego-Paroo-Bulloo-Nebine basins. With the exception of the
Bulloo drainage basin, these catchments are all part of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin. The Bulloo
drainage basin is an internally draining system located between the Queensland Lake Eyre and Murray-
Darling Basins.
The Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 provides the structure for establishing Healthy Waters
Management Plans and the features contained within them: including environmental values and water
quality objectives. Environmental values are the qualities that make water suitable for supporting aquatic
ecosystems and human uses. Water quality objectives are long-term goals for water quality management.
They are measurements, levels or narrative statements of particular indicators of water quality that protect
environmental values. Under the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009, environmental values and
water quality objectives inform statutory and non-statutory water quality management planning and
decision-making.
The economic and social impacts of protecting Environmental values are considered through consultation.
At the completion of consultation and consideration of all submissions, finalised environmental values and
water quality objectives are subsequently recommended for inclusion under Schedule 1 of the
Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009.
Water quality objectives are produced for both surface waters and groundwaters. The development of
water quality objectives is informed by technical reports. This technical report supports the development of
water quality objectives for the groundwaters within Queensland Murray-Darling Basin and Bulloo
catchments. This report summarises and presents the results of locally derived water quality ranges for
groundwater chemistry zones across the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin and Bulloo catchments. The
water quality ranges were determined from data collected mostly since the 1960s and stored in the
Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy groundwater database. Within each chemistry zone
defined in this report, groundwater quality is assessed for artesian waters and selected depth ranges for
sub-artesian waters.
This summary report is intended to support consultation on Healthy Waters Management Plans developed
for Queensland Murray–Darling Basin and Bulloo catchments, and to present draft environmental values
and water quality objectives for the groundwaters of Queensland Murray-Darling Basin.
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
2
4. Introduction
This report presents the results of a study to categorise the regional groundwater chemistry of the
Queensland section of the Murray-Darling Basin (QMDB). It establishes consistent local chemical ranges for
regional consultation purposes.
4.1. Approach and objectives
Salinity related water quality problems, including the composition of individual salts, can seriously affect
agricultural production, the viability of infrastructure, the health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and
the welfare of regional communities. Within Queensland, groundwater is a major and increasingly
significant resource, particularly in rural areas, and supports a range of groundwater dependent
ecosystems. Despite its importance, there is limited knowledge and understanding of the groundwater
systems over wide areas of Queensland, both because of the size of the state, and because of its low but
increasing population density.
Comparatively homogeneous water chemistry zones have previously been defined for Queensland’s
surface waters so that baseline ranges could be determined for surface water salinity and water quality
parameters. However, the chemical zonation of groundwater is a more complex task because sources and
flow paths are less clear, spatial variation is three dimensional, and the chemistry is influenced by many
factors. Some natural factors include recharge composition, soils, geology and rainfall. Other, more
localised influences are related to human activities and interactions between water bodies. The resulting
high natural variability of groundwater chemistry may breach guidelines for environmental values
pertaining to surface water, even in the absence of human impacts. The aim of this project is to define
groundwater zones for the QMDB, and to calculate the background ranges of water quality constituents
within them as an aid to establishing appropriate groundwater quality guidelines. The calculated ranges
exclude outliers caused by either local contamination or small, uncharacteristic aquifers, but it is not
currently feasible to account for any general changes that may have occurred prior to monitoring.
4.2. Regional setting
The Murray-Darling Basin is Australia’s most significant river system, and drains parts of Queensland, New
South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. The QMDB (Figure 1) covers
about 25 percent of the total MDB area. It extends about 800 km east to west and up to 500 km north
south, with an area of 260,791 km2 and has a population of approximately 221,500 people. The QMDB
comprises the Border Rivers, Moonie, Condamine and Balonne, Nebine, Warrego, and Paroo drainage
basins. The internally draining Bulloo catchment is located between the Queensland Lake Eyre and Murray-
Darling Basins, but is included for state planning purposes. The Bulloo River terminates south of the
Queensland border in an expansive area of floodplain and wetlands, but because of the low relief and arid
climate it has little external discharge except during exceptional flood events, particularly in the south.
Annual rainfall decreases markedly across the QMDB from over 1,000 mm on the eastern margin, to <300
mm towards the south western corner. Precipitation is summer dominant and very variable, with 60 to 65
per cent received between October and March. Mean average evaporation exceeds rainfall for every
month of the year, and drought is a recurring feature. As a consequence of the climate variability,
groundwater recharge is strongly episodic and relies on periods of unusually high rainfall or wetter than
average winters to increase deep drainage rates. The landscape consists in the most part of plains or gently
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
3
undulating terrain, bounded to the north, east and southeast by hills and steep plateaus which rise 1,400 m
along the Great Dividing Range (GDR) in the south-east.
Figure 1 River catchments in the QMDB region, and the structures which define GAB sub-basins
Although climate and local hydrology are also important, the varied and complex geology of the QMDB, as
described in Kingham (1998); Day (1983) and Radke et al. (2012) has a major influence on groundwater
quality (Figure 2). The oldest rocks in the QMDB were formed about 600 million years ago, around the start
of the Palaeozoic Era, which lasted till 250 million years ago. During this period, marine sediments and
volcanic debris built up in the east, an area which was then offshore. These sediments were subsequently
folded, faulted, metamorphosed, and intruded by granites, before being raised above sea level, where their
roots now form the GDR. They are exposed within the QMDB on the western side of the upper Condamine
alluvial valley, the Border River catchments of Dumaresq River and Macintyre Brook, and in the most
northerly headwaters of the Warrego and Maranoa Rivers. Groundwaters associated with Palaeozoic
terrains tend to be moderately saline (500–1,500 µS/cm as defined in Table 2 below) and hard, with evenly
proportioned cations except for a slight preponderance of sodium. In granitic Palaeozoic terrains, as in the
Border Rivers, the groundwater tends to be fresher and more sodic.
By the middle of the Palaeozoic, the area to the west of the GDR had stabilised, and begun to sag into
basement depressions such as the Galilee and Cooper Basins into which mainly freshwater sediments
including coal were deposited. This phase continued till the early Mesozoic (about 200 million years ago),
when uplift caused these basins to be eroded to a relatively even surface.
The period of erosion was brought to an end later in the Mesozoic, when the eroded surface began to sink
into a new series of depressions overlying the earlier basins. Permeable quartzose sandstones were
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
4
deposited in these new depressions, alternating with relatively impermeable confining beds of mudstone
and siltstone. These sediments formed the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) aquifer system. The Queensland
section of the GAB consists of two major sub-basins divided by the older Nebine Ridge west of the Balonne
River (Figure.1). The Surat Basin lies to the east of the ridge, and the Eromanga Basin to the west. A minor
sub-basin, the Cecil Plains section of the Clarence–Moreton Basin, underlies the upper Condamine
catchment and is separated from the Surat Basin by the Kumbarilla Ridge which passes from North to South
between Dalby and Chinchilla.
Then around about 110 million years ago, the GAB area including the dividing ridges, were inundated by a
shallow sea. By the time it withdrew, which was towards the end of the Mesozoic (about 90 million years
ago), it had deposited a fine, silty, almost impermeable marine layer over the earlier freshwater sediments,
including the GAB aquifer system and dividing ridges. This overlying marine layer is known as the GAB Cap.
The uppermost unit of the marine layer in the GAB is the Griman Creek Formation which underlies the
lower Weir and Macintyre flood plains and outcrops to the north of the alluvial boundary. Although the
Cecil Plains sub-basin was linked to the Surat by a narrow strait throughout the formation of the GAB and
its subsequent marine inundation, the GAB Cap has been completely eroded from this sub-basin to expose
the underlying freshwater sediments. These are represented by the Walloon Coal Measures and Marburg
Sandstones which underlie the flood plains in the upper Condamine and Oakey Creek catchment. They
outcrop along the edges of the alluvium, and contain stored salt and have the potential to contaminate
adjoining alluvial aquifers through seepages of saline groundwater.
After the retreat of the inland sea towards the end of the Mesozoic, the newly exposed surface of
southwest Queensland was subject to erosion and intense chemical weathering, in places to over 100 m
depth. Tertiary freshwater sediments such as the Glendower Formation and Chinchilla Sands being
deposited over the GAB Cap were also subjected to these weathering regimes. Silica was leached from the
surficial horizons, leaving clay with iron stained bands. The dissolved silica was flushed lower in the soil
profile as a gel, where it solidified into rocky layers and masses known as silcrete. Removal of overlying
material by subsequent erosion exposes the silcrete, resulting in a hard, stony surface referred to as
duricrust which is still evident over much of the flat topped uplands.
The GDR was uplifted around 65 to 32 million years ago, tilting the GAB to the southwest and creating
artesian pressures in the aquifers. As a result, springs broke out along structures such as fault lines, thin
confining beds, or other obstructions to flow. The uplift also brought about the extensive basaltic eruptions
which occurred over the last 20 to 2 million years. Lava flows were widespread over the emerging range, as
well as on some of the northeast and eastern sedimentary headwaters, but are now largely dissected,
leaving remnants as volcanic necks or basalt capped mesas. The basalt itself is pervious in many areas, and
produces groundwater which is unusually high in magnesium. Many of the previous surface exposures of
GAB aquifers are still covered by basalt, despite subsequent erosion, and this limits current recharge to the
relatively small intake areas along the western slopes of the Range or infiltration from QMDB surface
waters, either directly to the aquifers or through more recent intervening beds. Surface water streams with
possible recharge potential have been identified as the upper Maranoa, the middle reaches of the Weir,
and, to a lesser extent, the upper Warrego. The GAB aquifers typically yield sodium bicarbonate
groundwaters of moderate salinity. The QMDB subsided and took shape during the Cenozoic (the Era that
began at the end of the Mesozoic, about 65 million years ago, continuing to the present). When the GDR
initially formed at the beginning of this time, the divide between coastward and inland draining catchments
was further to the east. Larger catchments extending into wetter areas provided great erosive power to the
ancestral river systems within the QMDB, allowing them to form deep and extensive flood plains which
incised up to 200 m into the weathered GAB Cap. However, rainfall was always higher in the east, and the
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
5
catchments steeper, so that over time, the coastal streams were able to out compete those draining inland,
capturing their headwaters and moving the divide further west. In addition, a drying climate over the last
12 million years has further reduced stream discharge. This has left the original floodplains, often referred
to as Cenozoic alluvium, covering much larger areas than are presently active. Weathering has greatly
reduced their permeability, and although both the Cenozoic alluvium and the GAB Cap may contain limited
supplies of groundwater it is usually saline (1,500–5,000 µS/cm as defined in Table 2) and high in sodium
chloride. The upper reaches of the current stream channels are often deeply incised into the surrounding
Cenozoic systems, developing small recent floodplains around them. These recent alluvials usually yield
good quality groundwaters which may be relatively hard in terms of usage guidelines, but limited recharge
increases their vulnerability to hydrological stress, with consequent risk of contamination from saline
seepages issuing from adjacent older deposits.
The most extensive floodplains are in the Condamine catchment, the lower McIntyre–Weir river system
along the Queensland–NSW border, in the lower Balonne–Maranoa–Culgoa and Moonie catchments, and
associated with the Warrego and Paroo Rivers in the far west. Floodplains in the Condamine, Border Rivers,
Moonie and Balonne catchments are utilised for both dry land and irrigated cropping. Elsewhere grazing is
the main rural industry, with mining also significant.
Towards the west, the lower reaches of the streams have evolved into a mosaic of active and inactive
alluvial fans, with braided channels resting on the extensively weathered GAB cap. The catchments in this
region are separated by low dissected plateaux, capped by duricrust remnants. Sand plains have been
formed by wind action, with some dune development on the edges of high ground, particularly along the
western regions and the Moonie River. Some of these may contain small local groundwater systems.
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
6
Figure 2 Surface geology
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
7
5. Data and methods
Much of the current groundwater chemistry data of the QMDB is stored in the databases of the
Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) which, although extensive, was unevenly
collected in space and time. There are more than 7700 sub-artesian and 4200 artesian water quality
samples, supplemented by over 2500 groundwater level measurements from around 6600 bores, mostly
since the mid-1960s.
This project has employed both statistical and conceptual methods to define zones of similar groundwater
chemistry within the region (after Raymond and McNeil 2011, and Raymond and McNeil 2013). In
summary, the groundwaters of the QMDB were divided into aquifer types; three subartesian types to
represent alluvial and fractured rock systems, and the deposits overlying the GAB. Five GAB layers were
required to represent the GAB underlying the QMDB, which is a complex of layered and interfingering
aquifers and aquitards. There were broadly grouped on the divisions used by Smerdon et al. (2012), but
with the bottom sequence divided into ‘lower’ and ‘basal’ layers to reduce inhomogeneity. A layer was also
defined for the basins underlying the GAB, in this case the Bowen and Galillee.
All available surface and groundwater water data were then combined, and areas of similarity defined
through a clustering procedure based on major ions which is described in McNeil et al. (2005). The surface
water was included so that comparable chemistry could be used as an indicator of possible interaction. Five
major chemical types were identified, these being:
1. Sodium bicarbonate Typical of many GAB waters
2. Sodium chloride High salinity and probably related to poor recharge
3. Lower sodium Characteristic of basalts and Palaeozoic sediments
4. Sulphate rich Probably associated with soil profiles containing gypsum
5. Surface water type Fresh, high in bicarbonate, mixed cations, near surface
These water types were plotted and used in conjunction with the lithology to define groundwater zones for
each aquifer type or layer, with each map showing significant spatial variation.
Current baseline water quality was then estimated for each zone, represented by percentiles of each
parameter recorded in the GWDB. The zones are described in Table 2, and their water quality percentile
ranges are given in Table 3. Some of the more extensive alluvial zones, as well as some overlying the GAB,
show substantial water quality variation close to the stream. This is expected given the proximity to
recharge, so the zones concerned are provided with percentiles for a 1.5 km buffered area around the
stream as well as for the zone as a whole.
This study acknowledges that the zones and their baseline ranges only represent current mid-range levels,
chiefly because data is limited particularly for the pre-European period; however, it is emphasised that
these interim values are in line with the precautionary principle in providing a filter to identify outlying sites
and sudden or rapid change. In areas of high priority, groundwater models or other more intensive
assessment methods can be applied at a later date with the support of ongoing data collection. This would
allow the ranges to be refined, natural processes to be differentiated and anomalies due to atypical local
aquifers to be identified.
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
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Figure 3 Distribution of bores with water chemistry across the QMDB
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
9
6. Environmental values
The draft social, economic, cultural and environmental values and uses of water across QMDB drainage basins were established through the environmental values framework under the EPP Water. Environmental values are the qualities of water that make it suitable for supporting aquatic ecosystems and identified human uses. Setting environmental values through community and stakeholder consultation reflects how a local region values and uses water. Under the EPP Water, and as depicted by Figure 4, environmental values include:
aquatic ecosystem
agriculture (including irrigation, stock and domestic)
aquaculture
human consumption of aquatic foods
drinking water (suitable for treatment before supply as drinking water)
industrial use
recreation (primary, secondary and visual/aesthetic), and
cultural and spiritual values (modified to ‘cultural, spiritual and ceremonial values’ at the request of local Traditional Owners).
To enable the accurate and comprehensive depiction of environmental values that apply to each groundwater chemistry zone, environmental values for groundwaters were determined through a three-step process.
1. Bore installation records, which are held within the Queensland Government Water Entitlements Registration Database, were used as a starting point to list how the groundwater in each bore is used and valued.
2. Consultation on the preliminary groundwater environmental values from step 1 occurred with technical experts from the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, NRM bodies of the QMDB region, and community, environment and industry groups, to ensure the approach taken to identify groundwater EVs is accurate and representative.
3. Groundwater environmental values were amended to reflect feedback during step 2. See Figures 5–13 for the environmental values that have been identified for groundwaters of the QMDB.
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
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Figure 4 Environmental values icons and definitions under EPP Water
Aquatic ecosystem
• The intrinsic value of aquatic ecosystems, habitat and wildlife in waterways, waterholes and riparian areas, for example, biodiversity, ecological interactions, plants, animals, key species (such as turtles, yellowbelly, cod and yabbies) and their habitat, food and drinking water.
Irrigation
• Suitability of water supply for irrigation, for example, irrigation of crops, pastures, parks, gardens and recreational areas.
Farm water supply/use
• Suitability of domestic farm water supply, other than drinking water. For example, water used for laundry and produce preparation.
Stock watering
• Suitability of water supply for production of healthy livestock.
Aquaculture
• Health of aquaculture species and humans consuming aquatic foods (such as fish and prawns) from commercial ventures.
Visual recreation
• Amenity of waterways for recreation which does not involve contact with water. For example, walking and picnicking adjacent to a waterway.
Human consumers of aquatic foods
• Health of humans consuming aquatic foods, such as fish and prawns, from natural waterways.
Primary recreation
• Health of humans during recreation which involves direct contact and a high probability of water being swallowed, for example, swimming, diving and water-skiing..
Secondary recreation
• Health of humans during recreation which involves indirect contact and a low probability of water being swallowed, for example, wading, boating, rowing and fishing.
Drinking water supply
• Suitability of raw drinking water supply. This assumes minimal treatment of water is required, for example, coarse screening and/or disinfection.
Industrial use
• Suitability of water supply for industrial use, for example, food, beverage, paper, petroleum and power industries, mining and minerals refining/processing. Industries usually treat water supplies to meet their needs.
Cultural, spiritual and ceremonial values
• Cultural, spiritual and ceremonial values of water means its aesthetic, historical, scientific, social or other significance, to the past, present or future generations.
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
11
7. Regional groundwater chemistry zones
Regional groundwater chemistry zones were established across nine aquifer systems (Table 1, Figures 5–
13). For each aquifer system, zones with homogeneous water chemistry have been defined and ranges for
major ions, pH, and electrical conductivity calculated where sufficient data was available (Table 2 and 3).
Table 1 QMDB groundwater chemistry zone aquifer system descriptions
Aquifer system Description Figure
reference
Alluvia Recent alluvium divided into 22 zones based on water quality and factors
such as extent of alluvium, and sub-catchment characteristics. Water
quality is moderate to saline NaCl or NaHCO3, generally hard with a
tendency to scale. Northeast is richer in Ca and Mg due to basalts and
other weatherable terrains. Data sufficiency very variable, with best in the
Condamine region.
Figure 5
Fractured rock Aquifers in hard rock with water stored in fractures. Divided into eight
zones on the basis of rock type, location and water quality, with four in
basalt and four in granite or trap rock. Water quality in the basalts is
moderately saline Mg then Na, with HCO3 then Cl, hard with some
scaling, based on reasonable amounts of data. There is little data for the
other zones, but the water quality appears to be Na then Ca Cl, of
moderate to high salinity, with recordings of high fluoride in the New
England Granites and occurrences of acidic groundwater in the Texas
Beds.
Figure 6
Sediments
overlying the
GAB
The overlying sediments consist of Tertiary sediments (Glendower Fm),
weathered Cainozoic alluvium surrounding and underlying recent
alluvium, and sand dunes in the southwest corner of the region. Based on
few data, the water quality is moderate to highly saline NaCl, with lower
salinity and higher HCO3 near streams. High fluoride has been recorded in
the Glendower Fm, but no data is available for the sand dunes.
Figure 7
Upper GAB The Upper GAB comprises the top beds of the Rolling downs Group,
namely the non-flowing Winton and Mackunda aquifers with
contemporaneous Upper Cretaceous clayey deposits. It corresponds to
the Gabora Winto Mackunda Groundwater Unit, with additional upper
Creataceous material but without the Allaru Mudstone aquitard. The
Upper GAB is divided into five zones, based on lithology and location.
There is little data, but the water quality appears to be mostly NaCl of
variable but often high salinity.
Figure 8
Main GAB
aquitard
This is the lower layers of the Rolling Downs Group which form the main
confining layer of the GAB. Mainly Wallumbilla Fm, with Allaru and
Toolebuc in the northwest, Coreena aquifer in the central region,
Doncaster in the northeast and Griman Creek in the southeast. It
corresponds to the Gabora Rolling Downs and Normanton Units. The
salinity is spatially variable, and this with the lithology is used to define
nine zones, Although data is scarce, the prevailing chemistry is moderate
to highly saline NaCl groundwater, with salinity lower to the north and
west. Occasional high fluoride levels occur, mainly in the Wallumbillas.
Figure 9
Mid GAB
aquifers
This represents the main confined GAB aquifers, particularly the
Hooray/Cadna-owie systems to the west, mostly within the Eromanga
Figure 10
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
12
Basin, and the eastern (Surat) equivalents including the Bungil, Mooga,
Orallo, and Gubberamunda, with the Kumbarilla in the east. It
corresponds to the Gabora Hooray in the west and Cadna-owie and
Mooga in the east. Water quality is complex and variable, particularly
around the outcrops in the north and east, and this, with the lithology is
used to define 14 zones. Data sufficiency is poor, but the water quality
appears to be moderately saline Na HCO3, over most of the west and
southern central area, but more variable around the north and eastern
outcrops, with saline NaCl to the east, mainly around outcrops and thicker
sequences of Bungil and Mooga, or sometimes associated with the
Gubberamunda and Kumbarilla. High fluoride levels may also occur in the
southeast, away from the outcrop areas.
Lower GAB This is a thick sequence of important aquifers and aquitards, including the
Adori in the north west, Hutton, mostly in the west, Springbok in the
central Surat and Boxvale aquifers, and the Injune Creek, Westbourne
and Walloon aquitards. It corresponds to the Gabora Hutton and
Springbok Walloon Units, except for the Evergreen Fm, and a number of
other formations located mainly in the Clarence Morton Basin. These were
transferred to the Basal GAB to avoid excessive complexity in this
division. Twelve zones were defined on the basis of water quality and
lithology. Although data sufficiency is poor for most zones, it appears that
most of the west and central area, away from the outcrops, has a fairly
uniform, moderately saline NaHCO3 water type. However, the outcrop
areas in the north and east are much more variable, with those on the
eastern edge are mostly high salinity NaCl, probably influenced by
underlying or overlying Walloons.
Figure 11
Basal GAB This division represents the lowest beds in the GAB, mainly the Evergreen
aquitard and underlying Precipice Sandstone. It also includes members of
the Bundamba Group in the Clarence Moreton Basin. The Gabora
equivalents are the Precipice Unit, and the Evergreen Fm. from the Hutton
Unit. The division is absent from the southwest of the QMDB. Six zones
have been defined, based on lithology and limited water quality data. The
groundwater is generally moderately saline, dominated by HCO3 with
either Na, or mixed cations in northern outcrop area near basaltic
remnants. Instances of high fluoride have been recorded in the central
Surat area.
Figure 12
Earlier basins
partially
underlying the
GAB
These Permian-Triassic basins represent hydrological networks that pre-
date the GAB and were eroded before GAB sedimentation commenced.
The QMDB includes the Bowen Basin underlying the Surat, and the
Galilee underlying the northern part of the Eromanga. The corresponding
Gabora unit is the Clematis. Three units are identified on the basis of
location and hydrological unit, but only the Bowen Basin Zone has water
quality data, probably because of depth considerations. The available
data indicates Na HCO3 groundwater of relatively high salinity, with high
fluoride occurrences.
Figure 13
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
13
Figure 5 Alluvial zones
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
14
Figure 6 Fractured rock zones
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
15
Figure 7 Sediments overlying the GAB
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
16
Figure 8 Upper GAB zones
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
17
Figure 9 GAB main aquitard zones
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18
Figure 10 GAB mid aquifer zones
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
19
Figure 11 Lower GAB zones
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
20
Figure 12 Basal GAB zones
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
21
Figure 13 Earlier basins partially underlying the GAB
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
22
8. Regional groundwater quality
While the groundwater chemistry in the QMDB groundwater is complex, some distinct patterns have
emerged. Salinity was found to be generally moderate, but with notable occurrences of high to very highly
saline beds throughout the region. The chemistry of sub-artesian waters was relatively consistent with
depth across most zones, but with some notable exceptions, for instance Zone 20 Tinnenburra, a
fragmented area in the west of the region which is associated with recent and Cenozoic alluvials with some
GAB Cap. The chemistry of artesian bores becomes more varied west of the Balonne River subcatchment.
The major chemical types listed above were identified and used in defining groundwater zones as shown in
Figure 2. In the upland areas, including the upper Condamine and Border Rivers and extending into GAB
recharge zones, the available groundwater is relatively fresh but hard (Type 5), resembling local surface
water. This similarity to surface water suggests some interaction in these regions, and the hardness may be
sufficient to cause mineral scale on bore casings, screens or pumping equipment as observed in the
Toowoomba area (Anderson et al. 2010). Sodium bicarbonate (Type 1) is the most common chemical type,
including the vast majority of artesian and closely associated sub-artesian groundwaters which underlie
nearly the whole region. However, a significant proportion of the more saline and sodium chloride
dominated samples (Type 2) samples are from the GAB, particularly along the Kumbarilla Ridge as it crosses
the Condamine and Border Rivers and separates the Surat to the west from the Clarence–Moreton to the
East, and also near the Warrego and Maranoa Rivers in the central sections of their catchments, as well as
under the braided streams in the lower parts of the catchments between Nebine Ck. and the Paroo River.
The differences in chemistry probably result from which aquifer is being accessed. The presence or depths
of specific aquifers is, in turn, influenced by sub-surface features of the GAB structure (Esterle et al. 2013).
By contrast, there is a group of shallow GAB bores in the headwaters of the Maranoa and Warrego
catchments where the chemistry is relatively fresh and very variable. These fall close to or within the
Eastern Recharge section of the GAB, on the flanks of the GDR (Exon et al. 1966, Galloway 1974).
The other main groundwater type in the QMDB is usually associated with basaltic or volcanic geology. This
occurs mostly in the Condamine and upper Border Rivers catchments, but also sporadically over the GAB
cap areas, probably in association with residual basalt or GDR remnants. The characteristic chemistry here
is of moderate to very high salinity with relatively low levels of sodium. Another feature of the QMDB
groundwater chemistry is the unusually high sulfate levels which occur sporadically in deeper aquifers,
notably in the GAB Cap or other low porosity GAB beds. This could be related to inland acid sulfate soils, as
noted in MDB groundwaters downstream of Queensland, and also postulated for floodplains along the
NSW border where gypseous clays are associated with very saline groundwater within 30 m of the surface
(MDBA 2011).
There are a number of other potential water quality issues which may be significant within the area, but
which cannot be assessed at present because of limited data. In terms of nutrients, for instance, the
number of samples from the QMDB stored in the GWDB has averaged around 50–150 a year since about
1960, with more between the mid-1970s to mid-1990s. Sporadic detections of nitrate in excess of drinking
water guidelines occurred during this time around the Darling Downs, with levels of NO3 as N usually
exceeding 1 mg/L through the 1960s to early 1970s and 5–100 mg/L not being uncommon. However,
median levels of NO3 N declined after the 1970s, with recordings above 1 mg/L being rare since the 1990s.
Basaltic aquifers, common in the area, can be highly vulnerable to pollution because of the rapid transit of
water from the surface. Vulnerability is greater if there are overlying sources of contamination such as
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
23
feedlots, septic tanks or fertilizer applications are present. The apparent declining trend mirrors the stable
or declining trends in groundwater nitrate that were observed in the Bundaberg area when excess fertilizer
application was reduced (Biggs et al. 2000). This was assumed to be due to dilution and discharge to
streams through groundwater movement, denitrification processes in the aquifer or uptake of nitrate by
crops when irrigated by groundwater (Seitzinger et al. 2006).
The presence of other microorganisms in the groundwater is unknown, but the only species of
consequence are likely to be iron reducing bacteria (Biggs 2014). These can cause serious economic damage
through corrosion of bore casings, and are known to occur in the region (GHD, 2010). Reliable data are
scarce for pesticides and other problems such as trace metals. The levels of salinity and hardness within
both the ground and surface waters should favour rapid precipitation of toxic metals, and both the depth
to groundwater and the clay content of the soils would protect against pesticides. Stygofauna have also
been widely detected in the region at all levels of salinity, for instance in the Border Rivers (Schulz et al.
2013), but their significance cannot yet be assessed.
8.1. Border Rivers
The Border Rivers rise on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range around the Queensland border,
and eventually flow into NSW via the Barwon River. The Queensland section includes the Weir River (Basin
4162) and its north-eastern tributaries of Dumaresq River (Basin 4163) and Macintyre Brook (Basin 4164).
These tributaries yield significant surface water resources as well mainly shallow groundwaters.
Groundwater is more relied on at the drier downstream end of the Weir catchment, with the majority of
bores in this area being deeper than 60 metres. Most were designated as artesian, although data for this
study was rare downstream of Goondiwindi.
Water chemistry is variable and complex, but similarities between surface and groundwater suggest some
interaction. The major surface type is a low salinity bicarbonate water which is slightly dominated by
sodium but also rich in calcium. This type is also important in aquifers shallower than about 30 m, and
extends in some places to depths below 60 metres. Another significant type in surface and shallower
groundwater is moderately saline, with bicarbonate as the major anion and evenly proportioned cations.
The water may be hard enough for mineral encrustation to reduce the efficiency of bores. Most artesian
bores, including virtually all those deeper than 100m, access typical moderately saline sodium bicarbonate
waters also encountered in some surface and shallow groundwaters. However, artesian bores upstream
along the Kumbarilla Ridge which passes under Inglewood may access highly saline sodium chloride
aquifers. Samples with this chemistry are also found occasionally in the surface and shallow groundwater
systems, becoming more prevalent with depth. They represent most of the groundwaters below 30 or 40 m
and merge with the artesian system upstream in the Weir catchment. This supports views that fresh
recharge is infiltrating from the middle reaches of the Weir River (Green et al. 2012, MDBC 2005).
8.2. Moonie basin
The Moonie (Basin 4172) is a moderate sized catchment located between the Border Rivers and the upper
Condamine. It discharges into the Barwon River over the NSW border. The water supplies in this basin are
not extensive, neither is the availability of data, but the climate is drier than that of the Condamine and the
Border Rivers, so that the mainly artesian groundwater is an important local resource with some bores
recorded as deep as 2,000 metres. There are some deeper subartesian waters which extend below 60 m,
and the water quality data available for them indicates a chemistry which appears to be transitional
between the Border Rivers and the more northern and western areas of the QMDB. The surface water is
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
24
low in salinity and dominated by bicarbonate, although the cations are evenly distributed rather than being
sodium dominated as is usual in the Border Rivers surface waters. Ground/surface interaction cannot be
commented on as there is no chemistry data for shallower groundwaters, but both the artesian and the
known subartesian aquifers mostly contain the moderately saline sodium bicarbonate chemistry which is
typical of the artesian systems of the region. However, saline to highly sodium chloride groundwaters are
occasionally found at depths of between 60 m and 110 m in the vicinity of the Kumbarilla Ridge as it crosses
the eastern corner of the catchment, and possibly other subsurface structures.
8.3. Condamine
The Condamine (Sub-basin 4223) contains one of the largest and most important subartesian aquifer
systems in the state, and is mainly groundwater dependent although there are also major surface water
resources. It is represented by a very large repository of both ground and surface water data which was
collected during prolonged and intensive water resource development since the 1960s. The mainly
subartesian groundwater of the Central Condamine Alluvium Groundwater Management Area covers the
entire regional depth range of over 100 m, but is mostly between 20-80 m with a median of 40 metres.
Several tributaries also have significant areas of productive alluvium, and basalt cappings over the
tablelands also yield substantial supplies of groundwater (Reid et al. 2009). The GAB Cap is generally
absent from the landscape, but the geology and hydrology are variable and complex and their effects on
water quality are possibly influenced by long-term usage patterns. There appear to be areas where ground
and surface water interact, and others where they remain essentially separated (Dafny and Silburn 2013),
and the groundwater chemistry shows trends in composition on the vertical and regional scale, suggesting
slow and limited intermixing (Braaten and Gates 2004).
Although the composition of the surface water is variable, the most common chemistry is a low salinity
bicarbonate type, widespread within the QMDB, which is slightly dominated by sodium, particularly during
base flows. This type does not occur in the groundwaters of the Condamine, unlike the other two
significant surface water types within the subcatchment which are important components of shallow to
moderate depth subartesian groundwaters. The first of these has the evenly proportioned cations
consistent with the Palaeozoic or basaltic geology of the headwaters, while the second is a moderately
saline sodium chloride type, relatively high in magnesium, which is probably related to the Cenozoic
alluvium or underlying Walloon Coal Measures. These two types form the bulk of the groundwater down to
about 30 m, although the proportion and salinity of the sodium/magnesium chloride type increases with
depth and is particularly common in very deep subartesian waters where flow is restricted. In some areas,
mostly below 60 m in depth, the subartesian groundwater appears to be the same, moderately saline
sodium bicarbonate type which is characteristic of most artesian water in the QMDB including the
Condamine section, although in these cases the relationship between artesian and subartesian systems is
not always clear. Highly saline waters, dominated by sodium chloride, also occur in the artesian system,
probably related to the depth of aquifers or other basement features, mainly along the extension of the
Kumbarilla Ridge in the middle of the catchment or downstream where the Condamine joins the Balonne.
8.4. Balonne–Culgoa
The Balonne–Culgoa River system includes the middle and lower reaches of the Condamine Balonne
downstream of the Darling Downs (Basin 4222), including tributaries. This is a major basin in terms of the
state's water resources. Most of the groundwater quality data is from artesian bores, but the subartesian
presence is still substantial, with most bores being deeper than 60 metres. The north-westerly flowing
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
25
Condamine becomes the Balonne near Surat, where it then veers in a more southerly direction. At
Beardmore Dam, upstream of St George, it joins the southward flowing Maranoa River (Basin 4224), its
headwaters extending well to the north of the Balonne catchment. Then, about 70 km downstream of St
George, the river enters a braided fan where it splits into the Culgoa and the Narran. The Narran
subsequently splits into further channels before crossing the NSW border. The Nebine catchment (Basin
4225), located at the western end of the Balonne–Culgoa system, includes Nebine, Mungallala and Wallam
Creeks which flow southward over the NSW border to join the Culgoa River. Groundwater data is more
substantial than surface water data in this region, but is mainly from artesian bores. However large
subartesian or semi-confined aquifers do occur, at depths usually exceeding 60 metres. In terms of surface
water, the Balonne is an important resource, supplying the St George irrigation area via the Beardmore
Dam.
The ground and surface water are chemically distinct over most of this area, suggesting limited contact with
slow, if any, interchange. The surface water, in common with surface water in the bulk of the western
QMDB (McNeil et al. 2005), is mostly a low salinity bicarbonate type with evenly proportioned cations, or,
to a lesser extent, slight sodium dominance. The subartesian waters are highly varied, indicating
fragmentation and a variety of sources. However, they are mainly divided between a moderately saline,
sodium bicarbonate type, and a highly saline sodium chloride type. These are the same chemical types
found over most of the artesian system. The sodium bicarbonate type is the most common. The sodium
chloride type increases in prominence with depth, and can be of very high salinity if deeper than 60 m
particularly in the Nebine Catchment. Such groundwaters develop in flatter areas in dry climates because
salts deposited by rainfall tend to accumulate as the water is lost to evaporation. The salt is then leached
towards the water table by subsequent recharge events (Herczeg et al. 2001). Variability in composition
increases west of Beardmore Dam, particularly at moderate depths. High sulfate levels, a significant feature
of very deep groundwaters in the western areas of the Maranoa and Nebine catchments, are probably
related to the presence of gypsum in the landscape. A number of other water types are locally prominent in
the subartesian system, particularly at moderate depths in the Maranoa and in the deepest levels of the
Nebine, suggesting poor hydraulic connectivity, diverse local influences, or stagnation.
Artesian bores are concentrated in the northern half of the Balonne catchment between Chinchilla and
Surat, and in the headwaters of the Maranoa. They are also distributed throughout the braided channels in
the lower catchment, the mid and lower reaches of the Maranoa River, and most of the Nebine catchment.
Average depths are around 60–100 m, but bores with depths of 500 m to over 1,000 m are scattered
through the catchment, presumably accessing deeper aquifers. The predominant water chemistry is the
moderately saline, sodium bicarbonate type common to most of the QMDB, but complexity increases
towards the west. High salinity sodium chloride water constitutes much of the remaining artesian
chemistry, and its composition may be influenced by contact with subartesian groundwaters from the
Cenozoic alluvium or GAB Cap. It occurs sporadically, usually at depths of around 80–180 m, but is more
concentrated in certain areas. These include an extension of the Kumbarilla Ridge in the eastern corner of
the catchment; the middle courses of the Balonne and Maranoa rivers upstream of their confluence; the
downstream braided channels; and across the central Nebine subcatchment and its border with the
Maranoa. The Nebine subcatchment also includes some high salinity bores with a lower sodium
composition.
This catchment contains one area where the chemistry is highly atypical of QMDB artesian bores in general.
This comprises the northern headwaters of the Maranoa River, where the bores are unusually shallow,
many being less than 20 m and most less than 100 m, and the chemistry is very variable. The only
substantive types are low salinity bicarbonates with balanced cations, or with sodium slightly exceeding
Regional groundwater chemistry zones: Queensland Murray-Darling Basin - May 2018
26
calcium, and a moderately saline chloride type which is low in sodium. Low salinities showing similarities
with the surface waters in this region support the identification of the upper channel of the Maranoa River
as a recharge source (Herczeg 2008).
8.5. Western streams
The western streams of the QMDB include the Warrego (Basin 4232), Paroo (Basin 4242) and Bulloo (Basin
0112) Catchments. These comprise large, low relief, inland river systems, extending northward to approach
the headwaters of the Burdekin basin, and bordering the Lake Eyre basin to the west. The climate is semi-
arid with summer-dominant rainfall, and the rivers usually have a well-defined channel consisting of a
string of waterholes some of which are permanent. The lower courses of the drainage systems flow in
braided channels over alluvial fans which under present climatic conditions only reach the Darling and
Culgoa rivers in NSW during large floods. There has been little hydrological modification, and grazing is the
dominant land use.
Both the Warrego and Paroo catchments are important in terms of water resource development and
collected data, and although the surface water may be of local importance, the collected data is virtually all
from groundwater and mainly from artesian bores. There are substantial beds of subartesian water in the
Warrego and Bulloo, most of it being deeper than 60 metres. Chemical differences between surface,
subartesian and artesian waters vary through the area, with strongest associations being in the Warrego,
identified as a potential GAB recharge source (Kellett et al. 2003), and very little similarity in the Bulloo,
suggesting limited contact and slow interchange.
Most of the surface water is the low salinity bicarbonate type which is typical of the western QMDB, with
either evenly proportioned cations or occasionally dominated by sodium. This type also occurs in shallow
groundwaters throughout the region, and In the Warrego extends to the deep subartesian waters,
particularly near the river. However, the groundwater chemistry tends to be very variable over much of the
area because of poor hydraulic connectivity, diverse local influences, or flow stagnation at any depth. One
such type is high in sulfate and tends to be very saline. It is an important component of the shallower
groundwaters of the Paroo and Bulloo catchments, possibly as result of gypsum in the soils. However the
bulk of the subartesian waters are highly saline sodium chloride types, sometimes becoming very saline
below 45 metres. This highly saline water is sometimes present in the Paroo River, and probably originates
from seepages through the Cainozoic alluvium or GAB Cap.
This area has a high density of artesian bores except in the upper Warrego and lower western side of the
Bulloo catchments. Average depths are around 40–90 m, although some extend to over 1,000 metres. The
highly saline sodium chloride type is scattered through the artesian waters, usually at comparatively
moderate depths, and particularly in areas such as the downstream braided channels, the Paroo catchment
away from the mainstream including Lake Numalla, and around the western border of the Bulloo
catchment. In common with the Maranoa headwaters, also noted as a recharge area, artesian bores in the
northern headwaters of the Warrego are atypical, having a low salinity bicarbonate chemistry with
balanced cations or occasional sodium dominance, which closely resembles that of the local surface and
subartesian waters.
9. References
Anderson, T. et al., 2010. Groundwater bore deterioration: schemes to alleviate rehabilitation costs,
National Water Commission, Canberra.
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
27
Biggs, A., 2014. Bacteria down a bore – anecdotes from southern inland Queensland. ASSAY, vol. 64, pp. 2–
3.
Biggs, J.S., Keating, D.S., Thorburn, P.J., 2000. Time trends in nitrate in groundwaters under intensive
agriculture in the Bundaberg Region. Proceedings of the Society of Sugar Cane Technology, vol. 22, pp. 296–
301.
Braaten, R., Gates, G., 2004. Lagging behind: exploring the time lag in river–aquifer interaction, In:
Proceedings of the 9th Murray-Darling Basin Groundwater Workshop. Bendigo, 17–19 February 2004,
Murray–Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.
Dafny E., Silburn D.M., 2013. The hydrogeology of the Condamine River Alluvial Aquifer (Australia) - critical
review. University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia.
Day, R.W., 1983. Queensland Geology: A companion volume to the 1: 2,500,000 scale geological map.
(1975) (No. 383), Geological Survey of Queensland.
Decelles, P., 2002. The pH Scale. Virtually Biology Course, Basic Chemistry Concepts, Johnson County
Community College, http://staff.jccc.net/pde-cell/chemistry/phscale.html (accessed July 14, 2013).
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection 2009. Queensland Water Quality Guidelines, Version
3, ISBN 978-0-9806986-0-2.
Esterle, JS, Hamilton, SK, Ward, V, Tyson S, Sliwa, R, 2013. Scales of Geological Heterogeneity within the
Walloon Subgroup and its Coal Measures. February 2013. Final report of Activity 1.3 of the Healthy
HeadWaters Coal Seam Gas Water Feasibility Study. Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
Exon, N.F., Galloway, M.C., Casey, D.J. Kirkegaard, A.G., 1966. The geology of the Tambo, Augathella and
Blackall 1:250,000 Sheet Areas, Queensland. 1966/89, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and
Geophysics.
Galloway, R.W. (Editor), 1974. Lands of the Balonne-Maranoa Area, Queensland. Land Research Series
No.34; CSIRO, Australia, 238 pp.
GHD, 2010. Groundwater bore deterioration: schemes to alleviate rehabilitation costs. Waterlines report,
National Water Commission, Canberra
Green, D., Ali, A., Petrovic, J., Burrell, M, Moss, P., 2012. Water resource and management overview:
Border Rivers Catchment, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Sydney.
Herczeg, A.L., 2008. Background report on the Great Artesian Basin, A report to the Australian Government
from the CSIRO Murray-Darling Basin Sustainable Yields Project. CSIRO, Australia.
Herczeg, A.L., Dogramaci, S.S., Leaney, F.W.J., 2001. Origin of dissolved salts in a large, semi-arid
groundwater system: Murray Basin, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, vol. 52(1), pp. 41–52.
Kellett, J.R. 2003. Groundwater Recharge in the Great Artesian Basin Intake Beds, Queensland, Queensland
Department of Natural Resources and Mines Technical Report, Brisbane.
Kingham, R., 1998. Geology of the Murray-Darling Basin – simplified lithostratigraphic groupings. AGSO
Record 1998/21, Australian Geological Survey Organisation, Department of Primary Industries & Energy,
Canberra.
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McNeil, V. H., Cox, M. E., Preda, M. 2005. Assessment of chemical water types and their spatial variation
using multi-stage cluster analysis, Queensland, Australia. Journal of Hydrology, vol. 310, pp. 181–200.
MDBA 2011. Acid Sulfate Soils in the Murray Darling Basin. MDBA Publication No. 147/11: Murray-Darling
Basin Authority (MDBA), on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia 2009. 90 pp.
MDBC, 2005. Chapter 4: Connectivity of surface water and groundwater resources of the basin, In Summary
of Estimated Impact of Groundwater Use on Streamflow in the Murray-Darling Basin. Publication No. 03/07
Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Canberra, pp. 29–40.
Radke, B.M., Kellett, J.R., Ransley, T.R., Bell, J.G., 2012. Lexicon of the lithostratigraphic and hydrogeological
units of the Great Artesian Basin and its Cenozoic cover. A technical report to the Australian Government
from the CSIRO Great Artesian Basin Water Resource Assessment.
Raymond, M.A.A., McNeil, V.H., 2011. Regional Chemistry of the Fitzroy Basin Groundwater. Brisbane:
Department of Environment and Resource Management, Queensland Government.
Raymond, M.A.A., McNeil, V.H., 2013. Queensland Wet Tropics and Black and Ross catchments: Regional
chemistry of the groundwater: Department of Science, Innovation and the Arts, Queensland Government.
Reid M.A., Cheng X., Banks E.W., Jankowski J., Jolly I., Kumar P., Lovell D.M., Mitchell M., Mudd G.M.,
Richardson S., Silburn M., Werner A.D. 2009. Catalogue of conceptual models for groundwater–stream
interaction. eWater Technical Report. eWater Cooperative Research Centre, Canberra.
Schulz, C., Steward, A.L., Prior, 2013. Stygofauna presence within fresh and highly saline aquifers of the
border rivers region in Southern Queensland. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland, vol. 118, pp.
27–35.
Seitzinger, S., Harrison, J.A., Böhlke, J.K., Bouwman, A.F., Lowrance, R., Peterson, B., Tobias, C., Van Drecht.,
G. 2006. Denitrification across landscapes and waterscapes: a synthesis. Ecological Applications, vol. 16(6),
pp. 2064–2090.
Smerdon B.D., Ransley T.R., Radke B.M., Kellett, J.R. 2012. Water resource assessment for the Great
Artesian Basin. A report to the Australian Government from the CSIRO Great Artesian Basin Water Resource
Assessment. CSIRO Water for a Healthy Country Flagship, Australia
Regional groundwater chemistry zones of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin – May 2018
29
10. Tabulated results
The information in Tables 2 and 3 apply to the groundwater zones outlined on Figures 5–13. A brief
description of the zone characteristics are provided in Table 2, percentile ranges of water quality
parameters at each zone provided in Table 3.
30
Table 2 Detailed description of water chemistry in each nominated groundwater zone of the QMDB
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Alluvium 1 Southern Condamine
excellent balanced HCO3 moderate 680 990 1480 Moderately saline: no dominant cations, HCO3. For general use, the water is hard with occasional scaling. Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 may have risen.
Alluvium 1 Southern Condamine - near stream
balanced HCO3 moderate 689 981 1400 Moderately saline: no dominant
cations, HCO3.
Alluvium 2 Central Condamine
good Na HCO3 moderate 603 1160 2800 Moderately saline: Na HCO3. EC maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 may have risen.
Alluvium 2 Central Condamine - near stream
Na HCO3
moderate 580 890 1675 Moderately saline: Na HCO3.
Alluvium 3 North Branch excellent Na Ca HCO3 moderate 660 805 1050 Moderately saline: Na > Ca, HCO3. For general use, the water is hard. Water levels may have risen over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 may have fallen.
Alluvium 3 North Branch - near stream
Na Ca HCO3 moderate 603 720 987 Moderately saline: Na > Ca, HCO3.
Alluvium 4 Hodgson moderate Na Cl high 1927 3575 7049 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with some scale. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 may have risen.
31
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Alluvium 5 Oakey good Na Cl high 1800 2750 4400 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with some scale. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels probably fell over the last 20 years while EC and NO3 appear to be stable.
Alluvium 5 Oakey - near stream
Na Cl high 1150 2378 3410 Saline: Na Cl.
Alluvium 6 Myall moderate Na Cl high 1629 2150 3150 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels may have risen over the last 20 years but there is insufficient data to comment on water quality trends.
Alluvium 6 Myall - near stream
Na Cl high 1970 3080 3995 Saline: Na Cl.
Alluvium 7 Northwest Condamine
moderate Na Cl high 2400 4740 9200 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with some scale. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels, EC and NO3 may all have dropped over the last 20 years.
Alluvium 7 Northwest Condamine - near stream
Na Cl high EC
variable 1380 2600 11050 High salinity but EC can be variable:
Na Cl.
32
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Alluvium 8 Lower Condamine moderate Na Cl high EC variable
625 2700 9910 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years but there is insufficient data to comment on water quality trends.
Alluvium 8 Lower Condamine - near stream
Na Cl high EC
variable 563 1950 10440 High salinity but EC can be variable:
Na Cl.
Alluvium 9 Wooloowins good Na Mg Cl high 1400 2047 3000 Saline: Na > Mg, Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with some scale. EC maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels, EC and NO3 may all have dropped over the last 20 years.
Alluvium 9 Wooloowins - near stream
Na Mg Cl high 1350 2270 3456 Saline: Na > Mg, Cl.
Alluvium 10 Upper Balonne occ corrodev poor Na Cl very high EC variable
3442 8380 21150 Very high salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with some scale. EC may be excessive for irrigation and Na at times for sensitive crops. Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 may have risen although data is poor.
Alluvium 10 Upper Balonne - near stream
Na Cl very high 2567 19300 21590 Very Saline: Na Cl.
33
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Alluvium 11 Border Rivers v poor Na Cl high EC variable
531 1800 23910 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 may have risen.
Alluvium 11 Border Rivers - near stream
Na Cl HCO3 moderate
EC variable 330 820 14150 Moderate salinity but EC can be
variable: Na, Cl > HCO3.
Alluvium 13 Upper Dumaresq
good Na Ca HCO3 moderate 504 843 1104 Moderately saline: Na > Ca, HCO3. Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 may have risen.
Alluvium 13 Upper Dumaresq - near stream
Na Ca HCO3 moderate 498 833 1103 Moderately saline: Na > Ca, HCO3.
Alluvium 14 Macintyre Brook moderate Na HCO3 moderate 410 1178 1700 Moderately saline: Na HCO3. EC maybe excessive for sensitive crops There is insufficient data to comment on trends in this zone.
Alluvium 14 Macintyre Brook - near stream
Na HCO3 moderate 412 1178 1700 Moderately saline: Na HCO3.
Alluvium 15 Lower Maranoa moderate Na Cl high EC variable
528 1528 4403 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels may have risen over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 may have fallen.
34
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Alluvium 15 Lower Maranoa - near stream
Na Cl HCO3 high EC
variable 339 1580 4740 High salinity but EC can be variable:
Na, Cl > HCO3.
Alluvium 16 Lower Balonne v poor Na Cl high 822 3460 5705 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 appear stable although data is poor.
Alluvium 16 Lower Balonne - near stream
Na Cl high 1105 2140 4259 Saline: Na Cl.
Alluvium 17 Moonie some corrode unreliable
Na Cl very high 26460 46150 56280 Very Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with occasional scaling. EC may be excessive for irrigation and also stock. Na may be excessive for sensitive crops. Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years, although data is poor. There is insufficient data to comment on water quality trends.
Alluvium 18 Wallam unreliable Na Cl moderate EC variable
0 1100 6005 Moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years, although data is poor. There is insufficient data to comment on water quality trends.
35
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Alluvium 19 Upper Warrego v poor Na Cl HCO3 moderate EC variable
0 1000 2100 Moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na, Cl > HCO3. EC maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels may have fallen over the last 20 years, although data is poor. There is insufficient data to comment on water quality trends.
Alluvium 19 Upper Warrego - near stream
Na Cl HCO3 moderate
EC variable 31 1000 2085 Moderate salinity but EC can be
variable: Na, Cl > HCO3.
Alluvium 20 Lower Warrego v poor Na Cl HCO3 moderate EC variable
118 611 18550 Moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na, Cl > HCO3. Na is occasionally excessive for sensitive crops There is insufficient data to comment on trends in this zone.
Alluvium 20 Lower Warrego - near stream
Na HCO3 moderate
EC variable 0 2536 10986 Moderate salinity but EC can be
variable: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is hard. EC maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels appear to have been stable over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 may have fallen.
Fractured Rock
1 Upper Condamine basalts
moderate Mg Na HCO3 moderate 687 1040 1493 Moderately saline: Mg > Na, HCO3.
36
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Fractured Rock
2 Toowoomba Region Basalts
excellent Mg Na HCO3 Cl moderate 660 1200 1750 Moderately saline: Mg > Na, HCO3 > Cl. For general use, the water is hard with some scale. EC maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels, EC and NO3 may all have dropped over the last 20 years.
Fractured Rock
3 Lower Condamine Basalts
moderate Na Mg HCO3 Cl moderate 790 1400 2568 Moderately saline: Na > Mg, HCO3 > Cl. For general use, the water is hard with some scale. EC maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels may have risen over the last 20 years, while EC and NO3 may have fallen.
Fractured Rock
4 Eastern Basement With Basalt Remnants
v poor Na HCO3 moderate 1033 1500 2922 Moderately saline: Salinity may affect taste, and they may not be ideal for other general purposes because of the high EC, hardness and pH.
Fractured Rock
5 Main Range Volcanics
v poor Na Mg HCO3 moderate 688 1032 1866 Moderately saline: Na > Mg. Salinity may affect taste, particularly in the deeper groundwaters, and they may not be ideal for other general purposes because of the high EC and hardness.
37
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Fractured Rock
6 Border Rivers Headwaters
v poor Na Ca Cl high EC variable
648 1550 4212 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na > Ca. For general use, the water is hard with occasional scaling. EC maybe excessive for sensitive crops Water levels, EC and NO3 may all have dropped over the last 20 years, although data is poor.
Fractured Rock
7 Glenlyon v poor Na Ca HCO3 Cl moderate 230 2014 2125 Moderately saline: Na > Ca, HCO3 > Cl. For general use, the water is hard with occasional scaling. Water levels may have risen over the last 20 years, although data is poor. There is insufficient data to comment on water quality trends.
Fractured Rock
8 New England Granite
occ corroded poor
Na Cl moderate 273 600 1225 Moderately saline: Na Cl Water levels appear to have been stable over the last 20 years. There is insufficient data to comment on water quality trends.
Deposits overlying GAB
1 Weathered Alluvium
v poor Na Cl high EC variable
624 2690 22710 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Deposits overlying GAB
1 Weathered Alluvium - near stream
excellent Na HCO3 Cl moderate EC variable
525 1269 6400 moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na, HCO3> Cl.
38
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Deposits overlying GAB
3 Tertiary sediments
unreliable Na Cl moderate EC variable
0 1575 2180 Moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is soft but pH is high. Na may be excessive for irrigation and F for sensitive crops.
Upper GAB 1 Winton Mackunda Western
v poor Na Cl very low 0 0 3892 Very low salinity: Na Cl. For general use, the water is hard with occasional scaling. Na occasionally excessive for sensitive crops.
Upper GAB 3 Winton Mackunda Eastern
v poor Na Cl high EC variable
0 1976 7920 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with some scale. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Upper GAB 5 Central Upper Cretaceous
unreliable Na Cl high EC variable
546 1520 3745 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Upper GAB 6 Probable Upper Cretaceous Aquitard
unreliable Na Cl high EC variable
1260 3150 8900 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
39
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Main GAB aquitard
1 Eastern Wallumbilla Outcrop
v poor Na Cl high EC variable
877 2399 10000 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline but soft. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Main GAB aquitard
2 Wallumbilla Doncaster Outcrop
v poor Na Cl moderate EC variable
0 960 2200 Moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Main GAB aquitard
3 Central Surat Mid Cretaceous
v poor Na Cl very high 3151 24000 50690 Very Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with occasional scaling. EC may be excessive for irrigation and stock, and Na for sensitive crops.
Main GAB aquitard
4 Wallum Nebine Unproductive Area
v poor Na Cl high 1110 1500 3165 Saline: Na Cl. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Main GAB aquitard
5 Coreena and Doncaster Nebine Ridge
v poor Na Cl high 998 1950 4300 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Main GAB aquitard
6 Southern Wallumbilla Fresh Zone
v poor Na HCO3 moderate 760 900 1362 Moderately saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is soft. Na is occasionally excessive for sensitive crops.
Main GAB aquitard
7 South Western Eromanga Saline Zone
v poor Na Cl moderate EC variable
0 0 4400 Moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. Na occasionally excessive for sensitive crops.
40
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Main GAB aquitard
8 Northern Eromanga Allaru and Toolebuc
unreliable Na Cl HCO3 moderate 0 1435 2725 Moderately saline: Na, Cl > HCO3 For general use, the water is soft. EC and at times Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Main GAB aquitard
9 North Central Coreena
v poor Na Cl moderate EC variable
0 1100 3366 Moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
1 Northern Maranoa Bungils
v poor Na Cl moderate EC variable
0 0 2050 Moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. Na occasionally excessive for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
2 Central Mooga and Orallo Outcrops
poor Na HCO3 Cl moderate EC variable
0 1065 2145 Moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na, HCO3 > Cl. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
3 Eastern Cretaceous Outcrop
v poor Na Cl high 771 1650 3870 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is soft. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
4 Hooray Northern Outcrop
v poor Na Ca Cl HCO3 moderate EC variable
0 710 1650 Moderate salinity but EC can be variable: Na > Ca, Cl > HCO3.
41
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Mid GAB aquifers
5 Lower Balonne Gubberamunda
v poor Na HCO3 hard low moderate EC
1063 1360 2016 Hard Low Moderately saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is soft. Na maybe excessive for irrigation on susceptible soils, and EC for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
6 North Wallumbilla Bungil and Mooga
v poor Na Cl high EC variable
0 2420 6454 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
7 Northern Central Hooray
occ corrodev poor Na Cl moderate 626 1300 2355 Moderately saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is soft. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
8 Northern Surat Thickest Bungil and Mooga
v poor Na HCO3 hard low high
1400 1720 2026 Hard Low Saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is saline but soft. Na maybe excessive for irrigation on susceptible soils, and EC and F for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
9 Northern Central Outcrop Area
v poor Na Cl HCO3 low EC variable
0 437 1739 Low salinity but EC can be variable: Na, Cl > HCO3.
Mid GAB aquifers
10 South Saline Gubberamunda
v poor Na Cl high 891 2400 5258 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
42
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Mid GAB aquifers
11 South-east Kumbarilla
poor Na HCO3 hard low high
1173 1600 2050 Hard Low Saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is soft. F may exceed drinking guidelines Na maybe excessive for irrigation on susceptible soils, and EC and F for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
12 Southern Hooray Thinning Area
v poor Na HCO3 hard low moderate
725 862 1030 Hard Low Moderately saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is soft. Na occasionally excessive for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
13 Surat Thicker Mooga Saline Area
occ corrodev poor Na Cl hard low high
1872 2308 2565 Hard Low Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline but soft. F may exceed drinking guidelines Na maybe excessive for irrigation on susceptible soils, and EC and F for sensitive crops.
Mid GAB aquifers
14 Western Hooray v poor Na HCO3 hard low moderate
710 917 1200 Hard Low Moderately saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is soft. Na occasionally excessive for sensitive crops.
Lower GAB 1 Central Surat Springbok Area
v poor Na HCO3 hard low moderate
923 1269 1987 Hard Low Moderately saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is soft. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
43
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Lower GAB 2 Eastern Springbok Outcrop
v poor Na Cl high EC variable
963 2925 9021 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline with some scale. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Lower GAB 3 Fresh Hutton South-eastern Outcrop
moderate Na Cl high 1400 2150 3790 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard. EC maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Lower GAB 4 North East Walloons
poor Na Cl high 1650 3500 9015 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Lower GAB 5 North-eastern Hutton Outcrop
v poor Na Cl high EC variable
80 2600 5100 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Lower GAB 6 Northern Hutton Outcrop
v poor Na Ca HCO3 moderate 0 538 910 Moderately saline: Na > Ca, HCO3.
Lower GAB 7 Northern Walloons
v poor Na Cl high 854 1600 5145 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline but soft. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
44
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Lower GAB 8 Saline South-eastern Hutton Outcrop
v poor Na Cl high EC variable
1308 2865 7068 High salinity but EC can be variable: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Lower GAB 9 South East Walloons
moderate Na HCO3 moderate 880 1500 2550 Moderately saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is hard with occasional scaling. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Lower GAB 10 South-eastern Hutton Outcrop
moderate Na Ca Cl high 1111 1817 3895 Saline: Na > Ca, Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with occasional scaling. EC maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Lower GAB 11 Southern Limit of Adori
v poor Na HCO3 moderate 461 562 1333 Moderately saline: Na HCO3. Na occasionally excessive for sensitive crops.
Lower GAB 12 Hutton Western Eromanga Region
v poor Na HCO3
HCO3
hard low moderate
597 810 1392 Hard Low Moderately saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is soft. Na occasionally excessive for sensitive crops.
Basal GAB 1 Precipice Outcrop v poor balanced HCO3 low 247 340 440 Low salinity: no dominant cations, HCO3.
45
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Basal GAB 2 Eastern Central Area
v poor Na HCO3 hard low moderate
185 1040 1463 Hard Low Moderately saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is soft. EC and sometimes Na or F may be excessive for sensitive crops.
Basal GAB 3 North-eastern Evergreen Outcrop
unreliable Na Cl high 1295 2975 5505 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline. Na maybe excessive for irrigation on susceptible soils, and EC for sensitive crops.
Basal GAB 4 South-eastern Evergreen
v poor Na Cl high 920 2300 3634 Saline: Na Cl. For general use, the water is saline and hard with some scale. EC and sometimes Na maybe excessive for sensitive crops.
Basal GAB 5 North-western Evergreen Outcrop
occ corrodev poor balanced Cl HCO3 low EC variable
149 247 889 Low salinity but EC can be variable: no dominant cations, Cl > HCO3.
Basal GAB 6 Western Evergreen Only
unreliable Na HCO3 hard low moderate
278 520 543 Hard Low Moderately saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is soft. Na occasionally excessive for sensitive crops.
Earlier basins partially underlying the GAB
1 Bowen Basin v poor Na HCO3 hard low high
190 1550 2957 Hard Low Saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is saline and relatively soft, but pH maybe high. EC and sometimes Na and F may be excessive for irrigation, and EC for sensitive crops F may be excessive for stock.
46
Map division Zone Data sufficiency Dominant Ions All surface water
Percentiles (EC µS cm-1)
Description
Cations Anions 20th 50th 80th
Earlier basins partially underlying the GAB
2 Upper Bowen Basin
v poor Na HCO3 hard low high
190 1550 2957 Hard Low Saline: Na HCO3. For general use, the water is saline and relatively soft, but pH maybe high. EC and sometimes Na and F may be excessive for irrigation, and EC for sensitive crops F may be excessive for stock.
Earlier basins partially underlying the GAB
3 Galilee Basin v poor Na HCO3 moderate 450 571 1252 Low to moderate salinity. Insufficient data to rate the water for drinking or general purposes, but it tends to be corrosive.
47
Table 3 Statistical summaries of water chemistry within each nominated QMDB groundwater zone
Zone %ile Na Ca Mg HCO3 Cl SO4 NO3 EC Hard pH Alk SiO2 F Fe Mn Zn Cu SAR TN TP
mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % µS/cm mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L meq/L mg/L mg/L
Alluvium
1 - Southern Condamine
20th 44 22 36 17 27 27 281 49 56 18 0.5 0 0.00 0 680 217 7.5 245.0 28.0 0.10 0.005 0.000 0.005 0.010 1.00 0.000 0.000
50th 78 33 55 27 49 36 428 69 103 29 4.7 1 1.00 0 990 350 7.9 365.0 36.0 0.20 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.015 1.80 0.207 0.033
80th 156 51 84 36 80 47 592 81 245 47 15.0 2 8.50 1 1480 522 8.2 500.0 44.0 0.25 0.050 0.293 0.010 0.015 3.80 1.804 0.225
1 - Southern Condamine near stream
20th 43 21 38 17 28 27 291 50 54 17 0.5 0 0.00 0 689 228 7.5 254.0 28.0 0.10 0.005 0.000 0.005 0.010 1.00 0.000 0.000
50th 75 32 56 28 50 36 433 71 97 28 4.2 1 0.90 0 981 353 7.9 373.0 36.0 0.20 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.015 1.70 0.196 0.033
80th 150 49 84 36 77 47 589 82 225 46 13.0 2 8.00 1 1400 508 8.2 499.0 44.0 0.24 0.040 0.309 0.011 0.015 3.60 1.739 0.229
2 - Central Condamine
20th 85 54 19 7 13 12 239 24 70 28 5.0 1 0.20 0 603 110 7.4 200.0 27.0 0.10 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.015 3.20 0.043 0.000
50th 213 71 34 12 24 16 382 54 170 40 22.0 4 0.50 0 1160 183 7.9 321.0 33.0 0.16 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.015 7.30 0.109 0.033
80th 535 80 61 23 54 25 465 69 739 72 84.7 7 2.00 0 2800 364 8.3 390.0 40.0 0.30 0.050 0.050 0.010 0.015 12.80 0.435 0.154
2 - Central Condamine near stream
20th 63 42 18 8 14 13 210 42 64 27 4.2 1 0.25 0 580 107 7.3 173.9 24.0 0.10 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.015 2.10 0.053 0.000
50th 134 64 32 16 23 20 352 61 120 37 12.5 3 0.50 0 890 179 7.9 291.0 32.0 0.15 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.015 4.50 0.109 0.033
80th 316 78 50 28 36 29 445 71 285 57 58.0 7 2.50 0 1675 264 8.3 375.0 38.0 0.30 0.103 0.150 0.010 0.015 10.15 0.543 0.163
3 - North Branch
20th 83 46 27 15 17 17 280 59 54 20 4.0 1 0.00 0 660 146 7.5 240.0 28.0 0.10 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.015 2.50 0.000 0.000
50th 105 55 37 21 26 23 380 71 80 26 9.6 2 0.50 0 805 203 7.9 320.0 36.0 0.10 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.015 3.30 0.109 0.033
80th 158 66 52 28 34 28 451 77 136 38 26.0 5 1.00 0 1050 256 8.3 376.0 40.0 0.20 0.030 0.010 0.010 0.015 4.90 0.217 0.098
3 - North Branch near stream
20th 66 40 26 18 15 17 235 60 51 21 2.2 1 0.00 0 603 134 7.5 201.5 27.0 0.10 0.005 0.004 0.001 0.010 2.10 0.020 0.000
50th 92 53 36 24 20 22 332 72 70 27 5.6 2 0.50 0 720 175 7.9 277.0 34.0 0.10 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.015 3.00 0.109 0.098
80th 123 63 64 32 33 28 432 78 119 39 12.0 3 1.20 0 987 264 8.2 364.0 40.0 0.25 0.030 0.010 0.005 0.015 4.00 0.241 0.154
4 - Hodgson
20th 381 65 31 5 47 15 353 9 400 47 65.8 6 0.50 0 1927 295 7.4 307.2 20.0 0.15 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.015 8.10 0.109 0.000
50th 617 73 59 8 83 20 458 25 818 66 198.5 9 1.80 0 3575 479 7.8 392.5 27.5 0.20 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.015 13.10 0.391 0.000
80th 1176 79 107 11 181 24 567 41 1890 80 440.7 15 5.00 0 7049 918 8.3 518.6 32.1 0.50 0.050 0.050 0.020 0.035 18.60 1.087 0.065
5 - Oakey
20th 313 71 23 5 31 11 358 15 279 41 33.5 3 0.50 0 1800 198 7.6 300.5 24.0 0.10 0.005 0.000 0.005 0.015 9.31 0.109 0.000
50th 490 77 38 7 50 16 450 28 631 65 86.0 6 1.25 0 2750 304 8.0 375.0 29.0 0.20 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.015 12.90 0.304 0.000
80th 782 83 79 9 96 20 600 52 1201 79 165.0 9 3.97 0 4400 586 8.4 515.5 35.0 0.40 0.050 0.020 0.005 0.015 16.49 1.017 0.033
5 - Oakey near stream
20th 228 68 19 5 22 10 360 23 217 46 20.6 2 0.06 0 1150 149 7.5 298.6 25.1 0.10 0.000 0.000 0.002 0.015 7.57 0.013 0.000
50th 380 76 37 8 49 16 455 31 550 61 74.5 7 1.33 0 2378 301 8.0 379.5 32.0 0.20 0.010 0.005 0.005 0.015 10.87 0.288 0.016
80th 620 84 59 14 68 20 511 46 757 71 143.7 10 3.00 0 3410 394 8.3 443.0 37.0 0.30 0.067 0.020 0.005 0.015 15.42 0.652 0.033
6 - Myall
20th 265 67 30 6 34 11 382 23 305 49 15.7 2 0.23 0 1629 215 7.5 330.0 24.0 0.10 0.000 0.005 ID ID 7.28 0.109 ID
50th 359 72 44 10 45 18 454 35 472 62 42.8 4 0.60 0 2150 294 8.0 382.0 28.0 0.20 0.020 0.020 ID ID 9.40 0.207 ID
80th 593 81 63 13 66 22 560 47 791 72 73.4 6 4.00 0 3150 427 8.4 468.3 32.0 0.40 0.031 0.070 ID ID 14.32 0.957 ID
48
Zone %ile Na Ca Mg HCO3 Cl SO4 NO3 EC Hard pH Alk SiO2 F Fe Mn Zn Cu SAR TN TP
mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % µS/cm mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L meq/L mg/L mg/L
6 - Myall near stream
20th 403 72 31 5 34 10 352 19 407 55 39.3 3 0.00 0 1970 213 7.5 318.2 22.3 0.18 0.000 0.000 ID ID 10.94 0.083 ID
50th 570 79 41 8 45 13 459 24 784 71 60.0 5 0.50 0 3080 269 8.0 385.0 27.8 0.30 0.020 0.020 ID ID 13.70 0.109 ID
80th 814 84 74 11 87 17 619 44 1213 75 117.1 6 3.41 0 3995 527 8.5 555.2 32.7 0.40 0.033 0.070 ID ID 16.58 0.865 ID
7 - Northwest Condamine
20th 489 65 34 5 35 11 332 8 577 60 36.5 2 0.10 0 2400 274 7.4 309.1 25.0 0.20 0.005 0.009 0.005 0.015 9.90 0.020 0.000
50th 830 76 82 9 92 16 462 15 1380 80 120.0 5 1.30 0 4740 582 7.8 394.5 37.0 0.40 0.020 0.050 0.010 0.030 15.30 0.283 0.000
80th 1549 81 180 17 208 21 575 33 3079 88 180.5 7 5.00 0 9200 1260 8.2 487.7 49.0 0.60 0.070 0.243 0.025 0.075 19.99 1.176 0.033
7 - Northwest Condamine near stream
20th 258 53 20 5 19 10 255 6 195 43 8.0 1 0.48 0 1380 135 7.3 221.0 18.6 0.23 ID ID ID ID 5.03 0.103 ID
50th 544 77 42 8 41 16 477 24 680 71 19.5 2 5.55 0 2600 321 7.9 405.0 26.0 0.53 ID ID ID ID 11.94 1.207 ID
80th 1795 84 145 22 196 27 554 55 3432 90 216.3 4 11.20 1 11050 1093 8.3 509.0 49.6 0.83 ID ID ID ID 22.95 2.435 ID
8 - Lower Condamine
20th 110 65 9 3 10 8 152 7 96 45 9.9 2 0.10 0 625 65 7.3 133.0 13.0 0.15 0.005 0.000 ID ID 4.70 0.028 ID
50th 586 79 40 7 37 14 330 17 608 77 54.5 5 0.50 0 2700 256 7.8 276.0 33.0 0.30 0.100 0.040 ID ID 18.10 0.109 ID
80th 1889 87 130 14 164 21 616 44 2930 87 220.5 8 4.01 0 9910 997 8.2 511.5 57.3 0.80 0.630 0.295 ID ID 28.70 0.274 ID
8 - Lower Condamine near stream
20th 74 61 10 4 10 8 136 5 77 45 13.7 3 0.11 0 563 77 7.2 116.0 13.0 0.10 0.019 0.000 ID ID 4.00 0.020 ID
50th 320 74 38 8 31 16 307 18 450 73 58.5 5 0.50 0 1950 230 7.8 256.5 30.0 0.30 0.100 0.053 ID ID 13.25 0.087 ID
80th 1926 86 128 16 185 22 464 47 3300 88 228.7 9 4.46 1 10440 1094 8.1 398.0 61.0 0.70 0.960 0.295 ID ID 28.12 0.191 ID
9 - Wooloowins
20th 134 38 37 10 43 19 275 20 255 49 6.6 1 0.50 0 1400 297 7.5 238.8 28.0 0.19 0.005 0.000 0.005 0.010 2.80 0.109 0.000
50th 250 51 72 17 76 30 405 33 470 64 14.0 1 2.20 0 2047 495 7.9 340.0 36.0 0.27 0.020 0.010 0.005 0.015 5.00 0.478 0.000
80th 413 68 125 26 120 38 574 48 881 77 39.0 3 6.60 1 3000 780 8.2 481.0 44.0 0.40 0.050 0.020 0.013 0.015 8.55 1.174 0.033
9 - Wooloowins near stream
20th 155 38 37 9 51 23 240 17 299 53 7.8 1 0.50 0 1350 328 7.6 203.0 28.0 0.18 0.003 0.000 0.005 0.015 3.00 0.109 0.000
50th 262 48 82 18 99 32 391 27 600 70 15.0 1 2.30 0 2270 634 7.9 326.5 36.0 0.25 0.020 0.010 0.005 0.015 4.80 0.500 0.000
80th 399 65 146 27 145 37 570 44 1023 81 33.0 3 6.60 0 3456 921 8.2 475.7 43.0 0.40 0.070 0.020 0.010 0.015 7.80 1.304 0.033
10 - Upper Balonne
20th 611 66 71 9 45 9 169 2 942 68 78.8 3 0.00 0 3442 360 6.7 141.2 30.0 0.21 0.000 0.050 0.002 0.000 16.70 ID ID
50th 1530 78 172 11 124 15 392 5 2610 85 414.0 11 1.25 0 8380 943 7.4 323.0 51.5 0.24 0.025 0.277 0.061 0.017 22.00 ID ID
80th 3823 82 553 13 360 18 453 27 6876 86 1292.0 12 5.00 0 21150 2853 7.9 378.8 58.0 0.44 0.030 1.470 0.097 0.019 31.00 ID ID
10 - Upper Balonne near stream
20th 505 65 46 7 20 6 154 1 510 59 24.8 2 0.00 0 2567 182 6.6 126.4 29.7 0.20 0.000 0.010 0.004 0.007 11.67 ID ID
50th 3490 74 525 12 336 18 392 5 6000 85 1050.0 7 1.25 0 19300 2690 7.4 323.0 40.5 0.32 0.025 1.250 0.088 0.017 29.00 ID ID
80th 3952 84 564 13 363 18 481 38 6945 91 1372.0 13 5.63 0 21590 2898 7.9 398.3 72.0 0.56 0.156 1.672 0.097 0.051 31.90 ID ID
11 - Border Rivers
20th 150 57 13 4 10 6 110 2 117 36 15.1 3 0.27 0 531 78 6.5 104.4 31.0 0.16 0.000 0.005 0.005 0.013 4.95 0.085 0.000
50th 329 75 34 11 23 14 253 28 381 64 64.5 7 1.90 0 1800 169 7.3 214.0 60.0 0.30 0.010 0.040 0.020 0.015 17.00 0.543 0.049
80th 4589 89 710 19 569 22 489 57 8723 90 1100.0 10 12.50 0 23910 4399 8.0 413.8 81.0 0.90 0.056 9.740 0.160 0.070 35.70 2.717 1.235
20th 71 46 13 5 9 6 126 9 69 30 16.2 5 0.00 0 331 70 7.0 123.8 35.9 0.18 0.000 0.009 0.020 0.005 2.83 0.060 ID
50th 235 65 24 13 17 18 257 34 180 42 53.5 8 1.30 0 820 125 7.5 220.0 55.0 0.25 0.008 0.105 0.070 0.015 9.20 0.913 ID
49
Zone %ile Na Ca Mg HCO3 Cl SO4 NO3 EC Hard pH Alk SiO2 F Fe Mn Zn Cu SAR TN TP
mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % µS/cm mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L meq/L mg/L mg/L
11 - Border Rivers near stream
80th 1893 89 430 28 334 27 514 64 3871 81 808.1 14 12.50 1 14150 2423 8.0 422.9 71.7 0.69 0.041 5.240 0.160 0.073 21.52 2.717 ID
12 - Upper Maranoa
Insufficient data
13 - Upper Dumaresq
20th 58 49 18 18 9 15 140 38 42 22 4.9 2 0.00 0 504 83 7.1 115.0 20.3 0.30 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.012 2.29 0.000 0.000
50th 112 59 33 23 16 18 248 63 86 33 15.5 4 0.50 0 843 153 7.7 207.0 34.0 0.50 0.010 0.020 0.010 0.015 3.91 0.109 0.000
80th 147 66 58 29 27 22 412 73 152 53 34.0 8 2.26 1 1104 250 8.1 343.4 46.7 0.60 0.050 0.130 0.020 0.080 4.50 0.491 0.000
13 - Upper Dumaresq near stream
20th 58 49 18 18 9 15 140 38 41 22 4.9 2 0.00 0 498 83 7.1 115.0 20.1 0.30 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.012 2.29 0.000 0.000
50th 112 59 32 23 16 18 249 63 86 33 15.5 4 0.50 0 833 151 7.7 207.0 34.0 0.50 0.010 0.020 0.010 0.015 3.91 0.109 0.000
80th 147 66 58 29 27 22 416 73 151 52 32.5 7 2.17 1 1103 250 8.1 349.2 46.0 0.60 0.050 0.130 0.020 0.080 4.47 0.472 0.000
14 - Macintyre Brook
20th 44 47 3 2 1 2 145 32 46 27 1.1 1 0.03 0 410 16 7.5 132.3 10.3 0.20 0.005 0.005 ID ID 1.80 ID ID
50th 124 91 19 14 11 20 295 54 115 34 7.9 3 0.80 0 1178 76 7.9 243.3 39.5 0.41 0.005 0.005 ID ID 8.92 ID ID
80th 412 97 32 26 28 27 610 68 270 56 30.2 6 6.40 1 1700 203 8.6 558.8 43.7 0.89 0.121 0.834 ID ID 31.59 ID ID
14 - Macintyre Brook near stream
20th 44 47 4 3 1 3 162 32 45 29 1.3 1 0.07 0 412 17 7.4 132.9 10.9 0.20 0.005 0.005 ID ID 1.80 ID ID
50th 113 91 20 18 14 20 295 53 102 34 6.5 3 0.53 0 1178 111 7.8 243.3 39.5 0.41 0.005 0.013 ID ID 8.92 ID ID
80th 333 94 35 26 39 27 610 67 270 53 30.8 6 6.40 1 1700 266 8.5 503.0 44.6 0.87 0.154 0.838 ID ID 28.88 ID ID
15 - Lower Maranoa
20th 87 59 18 7 12 10 164 7 69 32 17.3 5 0.00 0 528 93 7.0 150.3 33.0 0.13 0.000 0.001 0.005 0.010 4.10 0.016 ID
50th 349 76 32 12 27 13 205 31 416 67 83.8 10 0.50 0 1528 199 7.9 183.0 52.0 0.20 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.015 11.00 0.054 ID
80th 777 83 95 16 70 22 256 60 1258 81 234.7 12 2.50 0 4403 521 8.3 216.9 69.3 0.31 0.005 0.118 0.010 0.015 15.00 0.543 ID
15 - Lower Maranoa near stream
20th 65 54 19 11 13 12 166 7 65 26 10.9 5 0.00 0 339 115 6.9 142.2 51.0 0.11 0.000 0.001 0.000 0.001 2.71 0.016 ID
50th 255 74 45 12 41 14 206 40 231 47 51.0 10 0.25 0 1580 273 7.6 170.5 54.0 0.18 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.015 8.05 0.054 ID
80th 932 76 130 20 81 26 311 69 1545 82 266.2 11 2.50 0 4740 659 8.2 260.2 74.4 0.22 0.005 0.188 0.010 0.015 15.55 0.543 ID
16 - Lower Balonne
20th 154 78 9 5 7 6 153 9 79 38 19.5 6 0.25 0 822 49 7.0 165.6 36.7 0.10 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.010 6.70 0.038 0.000
50th 677 83 38 7 27 9 258 42 888 75 184.5 10 2.50 0 3460 203 7.9 230.0 50.5 0.23 0.005 0.005 0.010 0.015 20.00 0.652 0.000
80th 1287 89 109 10 78 12 519 53 1828 80 372.4 12 6.00 1 5705 606 8.3 458.7 65.0 0.39 0.020 0.050 0.010 0.015 25.52 2.717 0.000
16 - Lower Balonne near stream
20th 282 78 8 3 6 4 323 25 174 38 30.9 6 0.25 0 1105 45 7.7 291.4 52.3 0.29 0.000 0.000 0.003 0.005 11.31 0.054 ID
50th 410 87 41 5 32 7 560 39 511 54 98.0 7 4.80 0 2140 231 8.2 482.0 65.0 0.38 0.005 0.005 0.010 0.013 18.15 1.043 ID
80th 909 93 69 10 49 12 860 52 1040 63 161.4 9 13.85 1 4259 386 8.4 709.1 72.0 0.59 0.068 0.017 0.010 0.015 24.76 3.011 ID
17 - Moonie
20th ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID 26460 ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID
50th ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID 46150 ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID
80th ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID 56280 ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID
50
Zone %ile Na Ca Mg HCO3 Cl SO4 NO3 EC Hard pH Alk SiO2 F Fe Mn Zn Cu SAR TN TP
mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % µS/cm mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L meq/L mg/L mg/L
18 - Wallam
20th 161 66 21 7 13 8 0 15 162 42 27.7 4 0.00 0 0 106 7.1 179.8 ID 0.18 ID ID ID ID 6.04 ID ID
50th 281 77 38 10 27 13 264 41 236 52 65.4 9 0.00 0 1100 204 7.4 329.5 ID 0.30 ID ID ID ID 11.35 ID ID
80th 1475 83 159 16 132 17 703 49 2140 71 367.0 12 1.35 0 6005 945 8.2 576.5 ID 0.60 ID ID ID ID 21.53 ID ID
19 - Upper Warrego
20th 51 53 16 11 7 12 85 21 45 28 19.9 6 0.00 0 0 74 7.1 103.0 32.0 0.20 0.000 0.000 ID ID 2.23 0.000 ID
50th 151 70 26 14 17 15 151 45 195 45 47.3 11 1.85 0 1000 137 7.7 136.0 61.0 0.30 0.000 0.010 ID ID 5.90 0.413 ID
80th 362 76 57 27 37 21 226 66 357 70 82.6 13 3.85 1 2100 299 8.2 209.1 65.0 0.43 0.040 0.048 ID ID 9.79 0.935 ID
19 - Upper Warrego near stream
20th 54 55 17 11 7 12 74 21 42 27 19.4 5 0.00 0 31 75 7.1 105.0 42.5 0.20 0.000 0.000 ID ID 2.55 0.000 ID
50th 151 70 26 13 17 15 146 43 195 46 47.3 11 1.80 0 1000 137 7.7 138.0 61.0 0.30 0.000 0.010 ID ID 5.90 0.413 ID
80th 354 76 56 26 36 20 221 67 357 70 80.5 13 4.10 1 2085 290 8.1 206.5 65.0 0.42 0.033 0.080 ID ID 8.50 1.022 ID
20 - Lower Warrego
20th 68 65 5 5 3 5 6 1 34 25 10.0 3 0.00 0 118 21 6.7 80.5 20.5 0.24 0.027 0.003 ID ID 3.35 0.000 ID
50th 225 72 25 12 13 15 165 43 112 48 37.5 8 0.00 0 611 112 7.5 140.0 29.5 0.40 0.170 0.01 ID ID 13.60 0.054 ID
80th 5293 90 535 20 539 17 250 65 8622 85 2081.0 18 1.17 0 18550 3453 7.7 227.5 50.5 0.71 0.315 0.094 ID ID 34.40 0.254 ID
20 - Lower Warrego near stream
20th 68 65 5 5 3 5 6 1 34 25 10.0 3 0.00 0 118 21 6.7 80.5 20.5 0.24 0.027 0.003 ID ID 3.35 0.000 ID
50th 225 72 25 12 13 15 165 43 112 48 37.5 8 0.00 0 611 112 7.5 140.0 29.5 0.40 0.170 0.01 ID ID 13.60 0.054 ID
80th 5293 90 535 20 539 17 250 65 8622 85 2081.0 18 1.17 0 18550 3453 7.7 227.5 50.5 0.71 0.315 0.094 ID ID 34.40 0.254 ID
21 - Paroo Insufficient data
22 - Bulloo Insufficient data
Fractured rock
1 - Upper Condamine Basalts
20th 50 18 22 10 21 21 317 57 49 16 0.0 0 0.00 0 687 151 7.6 263.5 23.0 0.10 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.000 1.00 0.000 0.000
50th 76 27 47 20 70 48 513 71 99 26 3.3 1 3.55 0 1040 417 7.9 426.0 35.0 0.20 0.020 0.010 0.020 0.010 1.50 0.543 0.000
80th 114 62 72 28 115 60 651 82 205 40 9.6 2 25.00 3 1493 635 8.3 540.0 45.1 0.30 0.100 0.010 0.065 0.035 4.76 5.000 0.087
2 - Toowoomba Region Basalts
20th 66 22 16 10 7 8 180 32 88 32 3.4 1 0.50 0 660 85 7.5 150.0 20.0 0.10 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.010 1.30 0.087 0.000
50th 97 35 52 21 59 40 350 49 184 47 10.0 2 5.00 1 1200 390 7.9 291.0 34.0 0.20 0.020 0.010 0.005 0.015 2.20 1.054 0.000
80th 147 79 100 29 116 53 530 64 356 63 22.0 4 33.00 4 1750 708 8.2 443.0 47.0 0.30 0.050 0.020 0.025 0.015 6.20 7.391 0.000
3 - Lower Condamine Basalts
20th 92 34 18 9 14 11 257 30 100 30 6.0 1 0.10 0 790 114 7.6 220.0 30.0 0.20 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 2.10 0.000 0.000
50th 158 49 55 19 56 30 445 49 220 47 14.4 2 1.00 0 1400 380 7.9 376.0 48.0 0.30 0.010 0.010 0.003 0.018 3.80 0.130 0.000
80th 308 79 105 28 102 42 592 66 596 67 35.6 5 16.90 1 2568 643 8.3 494.5 60.0 0.50 0.050 0.020 0.040 0.030 8.19 3.793 0.000
51
Zone %ile Na Ca Mg HCO3 Cl SO4 NO3 EC Hard pH Alk SiO2 F Fe Mn Zn Cu SAR TN TP
mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % µS/cm mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L meq/L mg/L mg/L
4 - Eastern Basement With Basalt Remnants
20th 157 46 10 3 4 3 361 25 102 25 11.6 2 0.00 0 1033 49 8.0 308.1 18.0 0.10 0.000 0.000 0.010 0.010 3.68 0.000 0.005
50th 225 68 32 7 52 21 519 50 275 44 30.0 4 0.30 0 1500 331 8.3 431.5 25.0 0.29 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 9.65 0.065 0.033
80th 668 93 109 18 129 39 719 71 933 67 130.5 8 3.33 0 2922 750 8.5 596.3 55.7 0.41 0.138 0.070 0.027 0.023 20.76 0.724 0.082
5 - Main Range Volcanics
20th 72 30 15 6 13 12 302 48 35 12 4.0 1 0.40 0 688 104 7.5 247.5 25.0 0.12 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.001 1.69 0.087 0.000
50th 122 46 38 15 44 33 460 72 80 23 12.0 3 2.55 0 1032 291 8.0 383.0 45.0 0.26 0.020 0.010 0.010 0.005 3.20 0.554 0.082
80th 237 78 68 28 80 44 602 85 245 43 45.9 7 20.12 2 1866 489 8.3 500.0 61.0 0.49 0.050 0.020 0.040 0.015 9.04 4.374 0.082
6 - Border Rivers Headwaters
20th 75 42 17 9 13 16 164 19 92 42 9.1 2 0.00 0 648 104 7.0 138.8 20.1 0.20 0.000 0.000 0.007 0.003 2.60 0.000 ID
50th 189 57 67 20 45 22 351 37 305 56 36.0 6 1.00 0 1550 366 7.7 294.5 30.0 0.33 0.010 0.020 0.039 0.015 4.40 0.109 ID
80th 437 70 127 27 115 30 602 51 1033 72 145.2 11 9.10 1 4212 772 8.2 497.1 39.9 0.59 0.093 0.086 0.097 0.019 7.84 0.652 ID
7 - Glenlyon
20th 26 32 11 22 6 20 65 30 15 16 4.2 3 0.45 0 230 50 7.0 50.5 33.6 0.20 0.005 0.000 0.005 0.000 1.27 0.000 ID
50th 117 43 113 35 57 25 345 46 109 25 220.0 32 2.40 0 2014 498 7.4 119.5 37 0.23 0.041 0.01 0.01 0.015 2.39 0.272 ID
80th 191 60 159 37 69 29 568 67 174 43 330.5 50 9.35 6 2125 723 8.0 445.5 42.2 0.52 0.130 0.085 0.058 0.015 2.86 0.950 ID
8 - New England Granite
20th 32 44 6 10 3 9 20 5 30 34 3.2 1 0.21 0 273 45 6.6 16.0 33.9 0.20 0.003 0.010 0.030 0.010 1.80 0.034 ID
50th 65 64 23 18 9 14 74 37 78 51 12.0 4 1.00 0 600 106 7.1 60.5 52.0 1.36 0.010 0.110 0.925 0.015 3.10 0.217 ID
80th 173 78 48 39 25 21 175 53 321 85 25.4 11 13.30 4 1225 244 7.7 146.0 65.7 3.00 0.125 0.663 2.583 0.043 6.12 4.489 ID
Sediments overlying the GAB
1 - Weathered Alluvium
20th 168 67 13 5 8 7 73 1 144 47 36.3 6 0.00 0 624 71 7.0 78.6 45.0 0.13 0.000 0.000 0.008 0.000 8.10 0.000 0.000
50th 666 76 82 10 73 13 197 10 982 77 281.7 12 2.40 0 2690 569 7.6 199.7 57.0 0.40 0.000 0.010 0.050 0.015 19.45 0.011 0.000
80th 4418 87 592 15 550 19 384 40 8590 86 1600.0 16 12.50 0 22710 3706 7.9 333.3 80.0 0.80 0.120 0.184 0.190 0.035 30.10 2.717 0.000
1 - Weathered Alluvium near stream
20th 104 63 7 4 4 2 156 5 75 33 15.1 5 0.00 0 525 27 7.2 134.6 18.3 0.15 0.000 0.000 0.017 0.000 4.65 0.130 ID
50th 289 74 24 10 10 13 256 49 180 40 76.0 11 2.40 0 1269 102 7.7 210.0 70.0 0.30 0.000 0.010 0.040 0.015 11.50 1.930 ID
80th 1368 92 170 22 149 20 388 58 2398 83 504.5 15 7.20 1 6400 1000 8.3 321.0 86.0 0.52 0.044 0.043 0.210 0.017 28.32 0.000 ID
2 - Sand Dunes Insufficient data
3 - Tertiary Sediments
20th 395 81 3 1 0 0 0 4 195 34 0.0 0 ID ID 0 9 ID 136.1 ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID
50th 432 97 15 2 4 2 212 26 520 74 1.8 0 ID ID 1575 58 ID 207.5 ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID
80th 3058 99 50 8 6 11 682 63 4712 96 34.9 5 ID ID 2180 203 ID 609.0 ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID
Upper GAB
1 - Winton Mackunda Western
20th 332 77 22 5 10 2 0 3 400 63 8.6 0 0.00 0 0 104 7.2 107.0 18.0 0.14 0.000 0.010 0.011 0.000 11.60 0.000 ID
50th 864 85 64 7 27 6 0 9 1301 77 128.7 9 2.15 0 0 262 7.7 179.5 20.5 0.40 0.010 0.025 0.030 0.015 23.69 0.467 ID
80th 1828 93 185 12 95 12 172 23 2997 93 449.5 17 8.00 1 3892 876 8.2 282.9 43.7 0.66 0.065 0.160 0.100 0.285 36.29 1.739 ID
52
Zone %ile Na Ca Mg HCO3 Cl SO4 NO3 EC Hard pH Alk SiO2 F Fe Mn Zn Cu SAR TN TP
mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % µS/cm mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L meq/L mg/L mg/L
2 - Winton Mackunda Central
Insufficient data
3 - Winton Mackunda Eastern
20th 276 74 21 5 13 5 0 4 168 41 20.5 3 0.00 0 0 99 7.4 124.9 16.1 0.15 0.000 0.000 ID ID 11.59 0.000 0.000
50th 1025 83 59 8 40 10 240 15 1260 75 138.0 9 0.50 0 1976 291 7.9 282.5 38.0 0.30 0.000 0.000 ID ID 22.45 0.109 0.000
80th 1584 89 142 11 97 14 534 50 2483 86 410.5 12 7.21 0 7920 715 8.2 518.6 53.0 0.65 0.017 0.100 ID ID 31.55 1.567 0.000
4 - South West Upper Cretaceous Aquitard
Insufficient data
5 - Central Upper Cretaceous Aquitard
20th 240 80 8 2 2 1 120 10 172 49 16.0 2 ID ID 546 27 7.8 153.5 ID 0.31 ID ID ID ID 11.28 ID ID
50th 460 87 14 5 11 7 259 36 455 57 37.0 7 ID ID 1520 70 8.0 310.0 ID 0.65 ID ID ID ID 17.39 ID ID
80th 1026 97 44 7 53 13 585 48 1511 81 185.3 11 ID ID 3745 331 8.3 516.9 ID 1.29 ID ID ID ID 38.28 ID ID
6 - Probable Upper Cretaceous Aquitard
20th 201 69 20 6 20 9 161 7 342 64 17.7 3 ID ID 1260 130 7.8 135.7 ID 0.20 ID ID ID ID 9.61 ID ID
50th 655 76 79 8 77 14 342 13 913 82 60.0 4 ID ID 3150 520 8.0 300.0 ID 0.35 ID ID ID ID 13.63 ID ID
80th 1559 83 149 12 195 23 547 32 3061 89 155.5 5 ID ID 8900 1417 8.2 449.0 ID 0.50 ID ID ID ID 19.76 ID ID
Main GAB Aquitard
1 - Eastern Wallumbilla Outcrop
20th 440 73 3 1 1 0 53 2 158 23 0.0 0 0.00 0 877 9 7.1 144.9 13.0 0.19 0.000 0.000 0.006 0.000 26.72 0.000 ID
50th 660 96 14 2 6 2 506 31 650 59 9.0 1 0.00 0 2399 53 8.1 567.0 17.0 0.98 0.020 0.040 0.020 0.015 41.59 0.000 ID
80th 3365 99 493 12 344 15 859 75 6238 89 766.2 7 2.25 0 10000 2580 8.5 763.1 50.4 1.73 0.434 1.800 0.107 0.156 62.61 0.489 ID
2 - Wallumbilla Doncaster Outcrop
20th 157 42 10 5 1 2 0 3 197 42 40.7 4 0.00 0 0 34 7.4 106.0 12.0 0.10 0.000 0.000 ID ID 4.88 0.000 ID
50th 279 70 74 19 16 8 82 17 360 56 140.0 17 0.00 0 960 271 7.6 155.0 17.0 0.20 0.000 0.000 ID ID 12.79 0.000 ID
80th 781 93 318 30 173 22 245 31 1631 80 1003.7 34 2.02 0 2200 1471 8.2 230.6 26.0 0.50 0.020 0.365 ID ID 22.76 0.439 ID
3 - Central Surat Mid Cretaceous
20th 454 66 29 6 14 6 90 1 351 47 44.2 5 0.00 0 3151 146 6.8 100.2 35.5 0.08 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.001 15.85 0.000 0.000
50th 2010 76 256 10 169 13 253 4 3282 84 464.8 10 1.25 0 24000 1322 7.5 221.5 56.0 0.21 0.005 0.020 0.030 0.015 26.05 0.272 0.000
80th 6065 88 1108 14 1007 20 453 41 12646 90 1879.0 13 12.50 0 50690 6833 8.0 372.9 78.5 0.44 0.030 1.753 0.129 0.050 36.54 2.717 0.000
4 - Wallum Nebine Unproductive Area
20th 292 73 7 3 2 1 124 6 180 38 34.0 4 0.00 0 1110 23 7.6 138.8 14.7 0.20 0.000 0.000 ID ID 11.59 0.000 0.000
50th 333 92 18 5 7 4 247 25 291 52 175.5 16 0.50 0 1500 69 8.2 218.5 17.0 0.36 0.010 0.010 ID ID 19.51 0.109 0.000
80th 691 97 143 15 68 11 383 49 978 74 289.5 31 1.65 0 3165 618 8.4 328.8 22.0 0.69 0.030 0.020 ID ID 29.38 0.359 0.000
5 - Coreena and Doncaster Nebine Ridge
20th 270 87 5 2 1 1 161 8 112 34 0.0 0 0.00 0 998 19 7.8 169.8 17.0 0.39 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.000 22.57 0.000 ID
50th 485 94 18 3 7 2 325 24 617 72 2.0 0 0.63 0 1950 72 8.2 300.0 19.0 0.55 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 28.84 0.136 ID
80th 997 97 76 7 45 6 495 65 1553 91 25.9 2 2.59 0 4300 346 8.5 430.0 20.0 0.92 0.050 0.020 0.020 0.015 34.32 0.563 ID
20th 203 95 2 1 0 0 264 40 57 16 0.0 0 0.00 0 760 9 8.0 304.5 17.0 0.51 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 23.10 0.000 0.000
53
Zone %ile Na Ca Mg HCO3 Cl SO4 NO3 EC Hard pH Alk SiO2 F Fe Mn Zn Cu SAR TN TP
mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % µS/cm mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L meq/L mg/L mg/L
6 - Southern Wallumbilla Fresh Zone
50th 230 97 4 2 1 1 432 76 80 23 0.0 0 0.00 0 900 14 8.3 371.0 20.0 0.84 0.020 0.010 0.000 0.000 28.20 0.000 0.000
80th 402 98 14 3 4 2 506 83 372 53 2.0 0 1.00 0 1362 70 8.5 440.0 23.9 2.08 0.091 0.020 0.010 0.015 38.75 0.217 0.002
7 - South Western Eromanga Saline Zone
20th 375 75 23 4 6 1 0 2 400 63 30.5 2 0.00 0 0 107 7.0 98.0 19.0 0.30 0.000 0.016 ID ID 11.64 0.000 ID
50th 713 88 57 8 14 3 98 10 958 74 164.5 12 2.10 0 0 208 7.6 156.5 22.0 0.60 0.005 0.050 ID ID 22.82 0.457 ID
80th 1270 94 152 15 40 10 253 23 2233 90 383.8 20 8.50 0 4400 579 8.0 288.9 31.5 0.93 0.105 0.069 ID ID 33.65 1.848 ID
8 - Northern Eromanga Allaru and Toolebuc
20th 309 72 2 1 0 0 0 15 225 34 0.3 0 0.00 0 0 6 7.4 208.1 ID 0.37 ID ID ID ID 9.85 0.000 ID
50th 339 96 10 2 4 2 383 41 242 48 30.0 3 0.38 0 1435 42 7.9 350.5 ID 1.35 ID ID ID ID 34.36 0.082 ID
80th 586 99 71 17 24 5 450 59 891 79 119.2 12 1.80 0 2725 276 8.1 489.1 ID 2.80 ID ID ID ID 55.34 0.391 ID
9 - North Central Coreena
20th 177 67 11 5 4 2 0 3 156 42 28.6 7 0.41 0 0 49 7.2 83.1 19.0 0.20 0.000 0.002 0.015 0.005 6.33 0.089 ID
50th 441 78 54 12 24 9 124 13 615 72 93.0 12 1.40 0 1100 259 7.8 129.0 55.0 0.25 0.010 0.020 0.055 0.015 15.98 0.304 ID
80th 1639 92 202 16 83 18 296 43 2511 85 542.3 18 5.90 0 3366 779 8.1 272.7 63.5 0.54 0.043 0.040 0.175 0.035 30.65 1.283 ID
Mid GAB Aquifers
1 - Northern Maranoa Bungils
20th 210 67 6 2 1 0 0 3 125 34 46.5 6 0.00 0 0 20 7.2 88.0 13.0 0.15 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 9.42 0.000 0.000
50th 443 89 28 7 5 2 0 18 443 52 120.1 19 0.50 0 0 122 7.9 191.0 16.0 0.30 0.010 0.010 0.015 0.010 19.57 0.109 0.000
80th 1153 97 205 21 58 12 277 49 1344 75 806.5 38 2.32 0 2050 790 8.4 301.8 20.0 0.80 0.100 0.030 0.050 0.020 32.23 0.504 0.023
2 - Central Mooga and Orallo Outcrops
20th 199 74 3 1 0 0 0 26 102 30 20.0 5 0.00 0 0 10 7.6 237.0 11.0 0.11 0.000 0.000 ID ID 8.99 0.000 0.000
50th 356 93 13 4 4 2 316 46 220 41 75.7 11 0.50 0 1065 55 8.2 334.0 15.5 0.30 0.020 0.010 ID ID 22.41 0.109 0.016
80th 588 99 51 14 21 11 454 64 660 55 228.0 19 2.00 0 2145 213 8.6 454.0 21.1 0.70 0.465 0.060 ID ID 49.29 0.435 0.033
3 - Eastern Cretaceous Outcrop
20th 162 82 4 1 1 0 105 6 85 32 0.5 0 0.05 0 771 14 7.3 100.0 13.7 0.10 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.010 12.49 0.021 0.000
50th 395 93 10 3 4 2 293 30 337 64 8.0 1 0.50 0 1650 47 8.0 263.0 17.0 0.39 0.070 0.010 0.010 0.015 28.30 0.109 0.000
80th 1167 98 74 9 22 7 644 66 1780 89 95.1 6 1.89 0 3870 267 8.5 571.0 33.3 0.65 0.809 0.182 0.110 0.015 49.27 0.285 0.065
4 - Hooray Northern Outcrop
20th 76 48 19 17 6 9 0 15 74 34 29.4 9 0.00 0 0 84 7.3 88.0 21.1 0.10 0.000 0.009 ID ID 2.85 0.000 ID
50th 115 57 42 25 15 16 169 33 156 46 66.0 17 0.00 0 710 185 7.6 168.0 28.5 0.20 0.020 0.010 ID ID 3.87 0.000 ID
80th 263 68 135 34 42 21 251 48 334 56 359.2 32 0.50 0 1650 526 8.1 217.5 34.3 0.40 0.075 0.041 ID ID 4.83 0.109 ID
5 - Lower Balonne Gubberamunda
20th 255 98 2 0 0 0 415 57 88 19 0.0 0 0.00 0 1063 5 8.0 351.8 21.0 0.44 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.014 35.76 0.000 0.000
50th 341 99 2 1 0 0 561 71 130 28 5.0 1 0.25 0 1360 8 8.4 496.0 26.0 0.80 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.015 51.80 0.054 0.000
80th 510 99 4 1 1 1 863 80 260 37 28.8 4 1.00 0 2016 15 8.6 761.1 29.0 1.50 0.213 0.010 0.010 0.020 72.97 0.217 0.000
6 - North Wallumbilla Bungil and Mooga
20th 479 87 5 1 1 0 0 4 353 47 9.2 0 0.00 0 0 20 7.3 142.8 13.0 0.20 0.000 0.000 ID ID 28.41 0.000 0.000
50th 872 96 24 3 6 1 195 13 1170 75 117.0 8 0.50 0 2420 94 8.1 287.0 15.0 0.40 0.025 0.010 ID ID 42.64 0.109 0.016
80th 1865 99 113 7 42 5 443 43 2665 85 583.9 17 3.41 0 6454 437 8.5 462.5 16.0 0.70 0.575 0.040 ID ID 61.76 0.741 0.163
7 - Northern Central Hooray
20th 238 77 3 1 0 0 1 10 150 39 54.0 9 0.00 0 626 10 7.5 117.0 14.5 0.20 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.000 12.83 0.000 0.000
50th 325 96 12 4 2 1 210 33 251 52 101.5 15 0.50 0 1300 41 8.0 208.0 19.0 0.30 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 25.20 0.109 0.000
54
Zone %ile Na Ca Mg HCO3 Cl SO4 NO3 EC Hard pH Alk SiO2 F Fe Mn Zn Cu SAR TN TP
mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % µS/cm mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L meq/L mg/L mg/L
80th 540 98 57 14 15 6 321 43 699 73 212.6 22 2.63 0 2355 198 8.5 293.0 23.5 0.66 0.100 0.030 0.059 0.020 39.26 0.543 0.000
8 - Northern Surat Thickest Bungil and Mooga
20th 355 98 1 0 0 0 520 56 120 17 0.0 0 0.00 0 1400 5 8.1 495.5 14.0 0.47 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 42.74 0.000 0.000
50th 444 99 2 1 1 0 763 74 154 25 1.0 0 0.50 0 1720 11 8.4 680.0 17.0 1.25 0.050 0.005 0.005 0.015 65.35 0.109 0.000
80th 521 99 4 1 1 1 989 82 252 42 24.3 3 0.50 0 2026 16 8.7 874.5 20.0 2.23 0.190 0.010 0.010 0.021 83.91 0.109 0.049
9 - Northern Central Outcrop Area
20th 45 48 11 7 1 1 0 13 46 27 16.6 7 0.00 0 0 39 7.2 67.8 14.0 0.10 0.000 0.001 ID ID 2.27 0.000 ID
50th 225 70 47 22 7 6 73 28 180 45 100.0 20 0.50 0 437 156 7.7 150.0 18.5 0.12 0.010 0.010 ID ID 6.33 0.109 ID
80th 470 91 81 31 18 19 295 59 511 59 238.5 32 1.13 0 1739 278 8.0 283.5 29.9 0.30 0.060 0.282 ID ID 19.28 0.246 ID
10 - South Saline Gubberamunda
20th 216 90 3 2 0 0 156 6 86 28 0.0 0 0.00 0 891 9 7.6 148.3 15.0 0.26 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.003 27.06 0.000 ID
50th 619 95 20 3 6 2 305 18 847 82 0.0 0 0.00 0 2400 77 8.1 255.0 19.0 0.44 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.015 30.29 0.000 ID
80th 1108 98 64 6 20 3 486 72 1758 94 4.0 0 2.17 0 5258 260 8.4 411.9 24.0 0.60 0.030 0.050 0.020 0.020 35.80 0.472 ID
11 – South-east Kumbarilla
20th 315 98 2 0 0 0 459 60 72 13 0.0 0 0.00 0 1173 6 8.0 506.0 13.0 0.55 0.005 0.000 0.000 0.000 38.10 0.000 0.000
50th 417 99 3 1 1 0 720 80 120 19 2.0 0 0.50 0 1600 10 8.4 660.0 15.0 1.50 0.020 0.010 0.005 0.015 56.30 0.109 0.000
80th 530 99 4 1 2 1 969 86 260 39 9.1 1 1.30 0 2050 19 8.6 864.6 19.0 3.20 0.130 0.010 0.017 0.015 71.65 0.283 0.033
12 - Southern Hooray Thinning Area
20th 183 95 2 1 0 0 323 65 59 18 0.0 0 0.00 0 725 6 8.0 290.0 18.0 0.50 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 21.58 0.000 0.000
50th 214 98 4 2 1 1 417 77 70 22 0.0 0 0.00 0 862 12 8.3 362.0 21.0 0.60 0.020 0.010 0.005 0.010 28.81 0.000 0.000
80th 275 99 7 3 2 2 490 81 153 34 2.0 0 0.71 0 1030 27 8.5 420.9 23.0 1.57 0.060 0.015 0.010 0.015 35.69 0.154 0.000
13 - Surat Thicker Mooga Saline Area
20th 427 98 3 1 0 0 399 28 250 40 0.0 0 0.00 0 1872 9 8.2 333.5 16.0 1.00 0.004 0.000 ID ID 51.50 0.000 ID
50th 506 99 4 1 0 0 543 43 439 56 3.2 0 0.50 0 2308 11 8.4 491.5 18.0 1.80 0.020 0.010 ID ID 62.58 0.109 ID
80th 572 99 6 1 1 0 675 56 530 59 97.2 7 1.07 0 2565 19 8.6 578.1 21.0 2.08 0.251 0.023 ID ID 71.23 0.233 ID
14 - Western Hooray
20th 171 96 2 1 0 0 313 65 55 16 0.0 0 0.00 0 710 7 8.0 273.7 20.0 0.49 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 23.25 0.000 0.000
50th 223 98 3 2 0 0 430 75 74 24 1.0 0 0.00 0 917 10 8.3 372.0 23.0 0.60 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.010 29.59 0.000 0.000
80th 291 99 5 2 1 1 555 83 135 33 8.1 2 1.10 0 1200 18 8.6 473.3 26.0 1.05 0.050 0.010 0.010 0.015 37.21 0.239 0.000
Lower GAB
1 - Central Surat Springbok Area
20th 234 96 2 1 0 0 353 49 80 19 0.5 0 0.00 0 923 6 7.9 321.0 14.0 0.40 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.003 27.60 0.000 0.000
50th 315 99 3 1 1 0 544 71 120 25 10.0 2 0.50 0 1269 12 8.3 475.0 18.0 0.70 0.010 0.005 0.005 0.015 44.64 0.109 0.000
80th 523 99 10 2 4 2 755 79 360 45 33.7 5 1.20 0 1987 38 8.6 668.7 28.1 1.71 0.165 0.015 0.010 0.020 62.11 0.261 0.000
2 - Eastern Springbok Outcrop
20th 243 79 5 1 2 1 198 7 183 41 0.7 0 0.00 0 963 19 7.5 194.3 13.0 0.19 0.005 0.000 0.005 0.001 14.75 0.000 0.000
50th 677 91 20 3 11 4 345 26 737 70 8.0 1 0.70 0 2925 96 8.0 308.5 18.0 0.30 0.050 0.010 0.010 0.015 28.97 0.152 0.000
80th 1830 98 89 10 83 12 838 58 2970 90 47.6 3 2.50 0 9021 612 8.4 795.2 52.1 1.75 0.891 0.097 0.049 0.030 56.49 0.543 0.016
3 - Fresh Hutton South-eastern Outcrop
20th 175 54 25 6 24 10 325 15 231 38 6.9 1 0.10 0 1400 185 7.7 275.4 16.0 0.16 0.000 0.000 ID ID 4.61 0.022 0.000
50th 361 65 59 14 57 22 504 40 412 57 24.8 2 1.50 0 2150 380 8.0 420.0 24.5 0.30 0.010 0.010 ID ID 8.10 0.326 0.000
80th 591 77 124 20 90 28 668 59 957 81 50.1 4 26.50 2 3790 676 8.3 568.0 37.0 0.47 0.059 0.051 ID ID 13.39 5.761 0.029
55
Zone %ile Na Ca Mg HCO3 Cl SO4 NO3 EC Hard pH Alk SiO2 F Fe Mn Zn Cu SAR TN TP
mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % µS/cm mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L meq/L mg/L mg/L
4 - North East Walloons
20th 339 61 12 2 6 2 249 7 334 48 4.0 0 0.00 0 1650 58 7.5 230.0 12.0 0.20 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.010 9.05 0.000 0.000
50th 750 82 53 8 41 9 390 20 968 76 35.8 2 1.00 0 3500 308 8.0 344.5 15.0 0.40 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.015 17.69 0.217 0.000
80th 1554 96 155 18 134 21 615 47 2931 91 134.0 6 5.00 0 9015 864 8.4 539.5 27.9 0.80 0.100 0.087 0.043 0.033 48.99 1.087 0.033
5 – North-eastern Hutton Outcrop
20th 416 76 7 1 1 0 63 8 464 67 0.0 0 0.00 0 80 26 7.5 148.7 11.7 0.10 0.000 0.000 0.004 0.000 11.56 0.000 0.000
50th 669 93 24 3 8 2 243 16 894 80 18.3 1 0.50 0 2600 116 7.9 232.0 15.0 0.30 0.020 0.025 0.020 0.010 36.88 0.109 0.000
80th 1265 98 84 9 79 14 523 27 1921 91 86.5 5 3.19 0 5100 533 8.4 485.9 41.2 0.66 0.120 0.110 0.135 0.015 53.82 0.693 0.016
6 - Northern Hutton Outcrop
20th 39 38 20 20 5 3 0 37 40 20 9.3 3 0.00 0 0 91 7.0 134.2 12.0 0.05 0.000 0.000 0.003 0.000 1.63 0.000 ID
50th 78 50 36 31 15 18 213 55 65 33 26.0 7 0.25 0 538 162 8.0 185.0 19.5 0.13 0.000 0.005 0.010 0.005 2.49 0.054 ID
80th 135 69 63 35 27 29 264 71 194 56 64.1 13 0.70 0 910 259 8.3 218.0 36.4 0.30 0.020 0.040 0.025 0.015 7.28 0.152 ID
7 - Northern Walloons
20th 239 91 3 1 1 0 162 8 175 42 0.0 0 0.00 0 854 11 7.9 217.1 12.0 0.20 0.000 0.000 ID ID 23.20 0.000 ID
50th 510 97 9 2 3 1 323 29 580 69 6.0 0 0.60 0 1600 32 8.2 308.0 15.0 0.69 0.000 0.010 ID ID 39.46 0.130 ID
80th 1361 99 56 5 15 2 497 52 2003 91 42.0 4 3.10 0 5145 190 8.6 438.6 20.0 1.30 0.163 0.020 ID ID 64.04 0.674 ID
8 - Saline South-eastern Hutton Outcrop
20th 212 66 19 3 10 3 201 6 262 54 2.7 0 0.00 0 1308 100 7.4 168.3 13.0 0.20 0.000 0.000 0.010 0.000 6.50 0.000 0.000
50th 564 79 54 9 33 12 379 24 760 73 27.0 2 0.50 0 2865 260 7.9 320.0 19.0 0.40 0.010 0.015 0.030 0.010 15.30 0.109 0.000
80th 1475 92 138 18 123 19 629 41 2482 89 151.2 6 4.30 0 7068 706 8.2 520.9 39.0 0.90 0.235 0.108 0.170 0.024 28.67 1.413 0.023
9 - South East Walloons
20th 121 41 9 4 4 3 300 30 101 27 3.4 1 0.00 0 880 45 7.7 250.5 12.0 0.10 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 2.90 0.000 0.000
50th 225 72 39 12 27 14 455 52 236 45 13.0 2 1.00 0 1500 222 8.0 390.0 17.0 0.27 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 8.10 0.217 0.000
80th 425 93 89 23 89 34 662 71 560 65 46.2 4 6.00 0 2550 566 8.4 562.0 29.5 0.50 0.060 0.020 0.148 0.025 17.89 1.324 0.033
10 – South-eastern Hutton Outcrop
20th 140 41 26 9 14 9 227 15 165 41 8.6 1 0.00 0 1111 142 7.4 190.0 13.0 0.10 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 3.14 0.000 0.000
50th 260 58 65 17 48 23 410 34 380 62 20.0 2 0.70 0 1817 391 7.8 346.0 20.0 0.30 0.020 0.010 0.008 0.013 5.88 0.152 0.000
80th 507 77 140 26 145 38 581 56 1053 81 53.7 4 3.66 0 3895 959 8.2 485.0 30.0 0.50 0.090 0.080 0.048 0.020 10.34 0.796 0.031
11 - Southern Limit of Adori
20th 92 66 2 2 0 0 74 19 58 29 7.9 2 0.00 0 461 6 7.7 110.6 15.0 0.10 0.000 0.000 ID ID 4.34 0.000 ID
50th 132 85 18 12 4 3 176 62 80 34 12.9 3 0.50 0 562 61 8.1 180.0 18.5 0.14 0.010 0.010 ID ID 13.39 0.109 ID
80th 288 98 43 25 9 9 221 67 393 70 21.0 7 1.09 0 1333 144 8.6 195.5 22.0 0.21 0.028 0.349 ID ID 24.11 0.237 ID
12 - Hutton Western Eromanga Region
20th 121 94 2 1 0 0 184 58 52 19 1.6 0 0.00 0 597 6 7.9 162.0 22.0 0.25 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 13.20 0.000 0.000
50th 177 98 3 2 0 0 311 68 71 29 11.9 4 0.00 0 810 8 8.3 270.0 29.5 0.50 0.010 0.010 0.005 0.010 27.40 0.000 0.000
80th 259 99 6 4 2 3 420 80 105 34 23.7 7 0.50 0 1392 22 8.6 384.0 38.0 1.40 0.050 0.015 0.020 0.015 36.50 0.109 0.000
Basal GAB
1 - Precipice Outcrop
20th 16 27 14 19 6 17 101 64 16 15 4.3 3 0.00 0 247 75 7.0 89.4 11.0 0.10 0.000 0.010 0.000 0.000 0.70 0.000 0.000
50th 23 34 24 35 12 28 136 71 25 22 9.7 6 0.00 0 340 110 7.5 133.0 13.0 0.10 0.010 0.040 0.005 0.015 0.88 0.000 0.000
80th 34 63 38 40 18 36 194 81 35 27 14.0 8 0.50 0 440 157 8.1 189.2 21.2 0.15 0.020 0.070 0.034 0.020 1.88 0.109 0.016
56
Zone %ile Na Ca Mg HCO3 Cl SO4 NO3 EC Hard pH Alk SiO2 F Fe Mn Zn Cu SAR TN TP
mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % mg/L % µS/cm mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L meq/L mg/L mg/L
2 - Eastern Central Area
20th 87 92 2 1 0 0 150 57 36 17 0.0 0 0.00 0 185 6 7.5 162.2 14.0 0.15 0.000 0.000 ID ID 8.48 0.000 0.000
50th 255 97 3 2 1 1 420 72 99 26 5.0 2 0.25 0 1040 11 8.2 347.0 19.0 0.53 0.008 0.010 ID ID 27.56 0.054 0.000
80th 342 99 8 5 5 4 674 82 165 37 29.6 5 1.00 0 1463 33 8.6 569.6 26.0 2.20 0.180 0.030 ID ID 48.45 0.217 0.016
3 - Northeastern Evergreen Outcrop
20th 299 76 8 1 2 1 175 8 201 28 0.5 0 0.00 0 1295 33 7.3 169.9 14.0 0.30 0.020 0.010 ID ID 10.93 0.000 ID
50th 700 90 20 5 7 2 421 33 656 67 12.0 0 0.80 0 2975 85 7.8 357.0 17.0 0.70 0.070 0.025 ID ID 20.54 0.174 ID
80th 1489 98 113 14 98 9 623 63 1743 89 32.9 3 3.00 0 5505 595 8.3 523.5 20.0 1.55 0.755 0.051 ID ID 60.35 0.652 ID
4 - Southeastern Evergreen
20th 157 60 10 3 5 3 200 14 161 36 1.3 0 0.00 0 920 42 7.4 172.2 14.0 0.20 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.000 5.62 0.000 ID
50th 380 76 40 11 29 13 452 34 480 62 21.0 3 0.50 0 2300 230 7.9 380.0 26.0 0.30 0.010 0.020 0.020 0.008 10.29 0.109 ID
80th 724 94 123 17 89 23 605 62 964 82 70.2 5 3.00 0 3634 675 8.2 532.5 42.0 0.95 0.072 0.187 0.100 0.020 25.88 0.652 ID
5 - Northwestern Evergreen Outcrop
20th 16 31 7 23 6 26 20 27 22 28 6.9 5 0.00 0 149 43 6.3 38.0 11.0 0.09 0.000 0.020 ID ID 0.85 0.000 ID
50th 22 41 13 28 10 31 68 41 35 40 13.0 11 0.05 0 247 81 7.1 65.0 12.0 0.10 0.010 0.040 ID ID 1.18 0.011 ID
80th 53 48 64 41 22 34 177 57 146 54 50.0 22 0.50 0 889 228 7.9 148.7 13.0 0.27 0.038 0.090 ID ID 1.63 0.109 ID
6 - Western Evergreen Only
20th 32 86 2 3 0 0 81 59 16 24 5.0 5 0.00 0 278 8 7.9 83.2 27.0 0.21 0.000 0.005 0.000 0.000 3.10 0.000 ID
50th 104 91 7 7 1 1 177 63 53 29 18.7 8 0.00 0 520 22 8.2 158.0 28.0 0.30 0.030 0.040 0.005 0.010 9.60 0.000 ID
80th 118 97 8 11 2 4 192 67 57 32 21.0 9 0.05 0 543 38 8.5 165.3 32.7 0.53 0.065 0.040 0.017 0.015 19.40 0.011 ID
Earlier Basins Partially Underlying the GAB
1 - Bowen Basin
20th 46 95 2 0 0 0 109 64 9 10 0.0 0 0.00 0 190 5 7.4 91.2 13.0 0.20 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.009 8.38 0.000 0.000
50th 435 98 2 1 0 0 644 81 98 18 0.0 0 0.00 0 1550 7 8.2 564.0 17.0 1.50 0.020 0.010 0.010 0.015 47.22 0.000 0.000
80th 835 99 5 3 1 2 1359 90 225 35 2.6 1 0.50 0 2957 18 8.6 1153.8 22.0 6.73 0.141 0.019 0.031 0.016 109.66 0.109 0.000
2 - Upper Bowen Basin
20th 46 95 2 0 0 0 109 64 9 10 0.0 0 0.00 0 190 5 7.4 91.2 13.0 0.20 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.009 8.38 0.000 0.000
50th 435 98 2 1 0 0 644 81 98 18 0.0 0 0.00 0 1550 7 8.2 564.0 17.0 1.50 0.020 0.010 0.010 0.015 47.22 0.000 0.000
80th 835 99 5 3 1 2 1359 90 225 35 2.6 1 0.50 0 2957 18 8.6 1153.8 22.0 6.73 0.141 0.019 0.031 0.016 109.66 0.109 0.000
2 - Galilee Basin
20th 104 86 3 3 1 1 16 48 30 15 0.0 0 0.63 0 450 13 7.2 179.3 10.0 0.30 ID ID 0.000 0.000 8.78 0.137 ID
50th 124 94 5 4 2 2 253 72 50 27 0.0 0 1.00 0 571 17 8.0 218.0 13.0 0.60 ID ID 0.000 0.000 12.99 0.217 ID
80th 145 95 10 7 4 6 301 84 92 44 8.9 2 2.00 0 1252 44 8.2 250.5 14.3 0.60 ID ID 0.000 0.000 15.05 0.435 ID