Title: Investigation of salinity in the river Thurne catchment of North East Norfolk
Author: I.P. Holmna
Author: K.M. Hiscock
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
This Research and Development Note summarises the results of a three year PhD investigation, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the National Rivers Authority, into the hydrogeology of the Norwich Crag aquifer in the River Thurne catchment in north east Norfolk. This low lying coastal aquifer is subject to saline intrusion as a result of land drainage that has been carried out in the marshland during the past two centuries. Changes in the economics of arable farming and the perception that changes in the land drainage regimes will produce beneficial effects on the water quality of the River Thurne have necessitated the need for an increased understanding of the hydrogeology of this complex, highly managed aquifer. Section One of this Note introduces the catchment and the background to the issues involved in the future management of the catchment. Section Two outlines the methodology used in this inter disciplinary study. Hydrogeological, hydrological, hydrochemical and geophysical techniques have been extensively used. Section Three summarizes the results of the three main avenues of research. The hydrogeology of the Crag aquifer is described, the location and the mechanisms controlling the saline intrusion are presented, and the results of a catchment water balance are given. The water balance has been used to assess the available groundwater resource for the catchment and to predict the likely effects of changes in the land drainage regimes on the quantity and quality of water discharged into the River Thurne. Finally, the principal results have been brought together in Section Four to demonstrate the links between aquifer structure, saline intrusion and land drainage, and to discuss the possible outcome of some future management options.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: 1993
Publication Place: Peterborough
Subject Keywords: Aquifers; Rivers; Water quality; Hydrogeology; Drainage; Groundwater
Geographic Keywords: Broadland Rivers catchment; Norfolk
Extent: 34
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:4146
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