An Investigation of the Quantity, Quality and Sources of Groundwater Seepage into the St. Clair River near Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Abstract We used seepage meters and minipiezometers to survey a 100 m by 7 km band of streambed of the St. Clair River near Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, to determine the quantity, quality, and sources of groundwater seepage into the river. The average observed seepage rate, 1.4 x 10−8 m3/s/m2, suggests higher than expected hydraulic conductivities and/or hydraulic gradients in the streambed. We found detectable levels of some organic contaminants in streambed groundwater samples from 1.0 and 1.5 m depths, however , concentrations did not exceed drinking water guidelines. Our isotopic and electrical conductivity data indicate that: (l) the streambed groundwater is not just river water, (2) groundwater from the “freshwater aquifer” at the base of the overburden Is not a significant component of the streambed groundwater, (3) some of the streambed groundwater is partially derived from a shallow groundwater flow system, and (4) an unidentified source of water with low tritium, river water-like δ18O, and very high electrical conductivity, contributes to the streambed groundwater.