Groundwater research

Tritium was first used in the 1950s, gradually replacing expensive pumping tests as a means of determining recharge rates in aquifers where recharge occurred less than 50 years previously.

Carbon 14 has also been used to calculate recharge, particularly where much of the groundwater is relatively old.

Geophysical techniques have also been developed in South Australia since 1950 as an aid to locating drilling sites for groundwater exploration. Resistivity, gravity and seismic methods have been applied. Geophysical and mechanical well logging procedures have been progressively evolved for the location of aquifers, estimation of aquifer yields and correlation with other drill holes.

In Queensland, the State's vast groundwater resources were developed ahead of surface water resources in rural areas, with much more being known about the location and magnitude of groundwater until the 1960s. Equipment and techniques used for groundwater assessment were adapted from those used overseas to meet local conditions. These have included modification of percussion and rotary drilling methods, development of pumping tests and pump test analysis to provide aquifer parameters and extensive use of automatic water level recorders.

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering