Assisting CSIRO with field data collection for their hot springs research
CSIRO’s Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA) are undertaking a research project that aims to provide environmental baseline characterisation of the springs in Hot Springs Valley, which is located in an area northeast of the Beetaloo (geological) Sub-basin.
The springs in the area hold high environmental and cultural value. The baseline environmental data on the springs in and around the Hot Springs Valley will provide an important benchmark and evidence base for the protection and management of this significant area.
The project leader, Cindy Ong, invited staff from Water Resources Division of DLPE to assist with the field campaign in August. Ursula Zaar, who has had experience working in the area was delighted to accept the opportunity to work with the dedicated and highly experienced scientific team. The CSIRO field team came from Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, covering the fields of geology, greenhouse gas emissions, hydrogeology, hydrochemistry and environmental tracers. They were joined on site by two Northern Land Council managers and 6 Traditional Owners from communities as far afield as Ngukurr. Altogether, there were up to 21 people in the camp.
The spring and geological sites were accessed by foot and many kilometres were walked during the course of the campaign. The Traditional Owners led the way to a very culturally sensitive spring site.
The temperature of the hot springs varied from 42 to 65°C with the latter indicating a source of around 1 km deep. Most of the spring discharges were generally small, below 10 L/s. Where possible, water samples were collected in a variety of containers including bottles, copper tubes and gas bottles as required for the type of analysis.
Parameters to be analysed include ions, isotopes, hydrocarbon concentrations, headspace and dissolved gases, stable noble gases and radioactive noble gas isotopes, where the latter are the most reliable “age” tracers. Methane and ethane concentrations and emission rates were measured on site.
The field work and analysis will help explain the source and discharge pathways of groundwater and gases, which naturally discharge from some of the springs. The research will inform ongoing management, monitoring and preservation of the springs and provide a baseline prior to any potential development of gas resources in the nearby Beetaloo Sub-basin. This information is highly beneficial to thedepartment and protecting our unique natural assets.
