Fitzroy and Margaret rivers spatial mapping of radon and helium-4 in surface water

Brief description

This data set contains shape files representing the locations and results of radon(222Rn) and helium-4(4He) surface water sampling from in-stream reaches and pools, as well as off-channel wetlands of the Fitzroy and Margaret rivers Western Australia. The data provides information about the spatial nature of connectivity between groundwater and surface water along approximately 300 km of the Fitzroy River and 80 km of the Margaret River. The data was collected via helicopter in June 2017. The purpose of the data set is to graphically communicate the results of 222Rn and 4He sampling in surface water and how that relates to spatial changes in groundwater – surface water connectivity.
Lineage: The shape files were created based on the spatial locations and results of surface water environmental tracer sampling. More specifically, radon (222Rn) and helium-4 (4He) concentrations in surface water. The field sampling sites for the survey were identified using an analysis of 25 years of Landsat data for the six month dry-season period (1st May to 31st October) to map in-stream pool persistence across the Fitzroy and Margaret rivers in the Fitzroy catchment Western Australia. Surface water samples were collected from 80 sites across 300 km of the Fitzroy River and 80 km of the Margaret River. Samples were collected from in stream pools and reaches, as well as off-channel pools and wetlands by helicopter in June 2017 when the rivers were exhibiting base flow conditions. Samples were obtained using a submersible pump and collected in 1.25 L PET plastic bottles (222Rn) and copper tubes (4He). Both 222Rn and 4He were analysed at the CSIRO Environmental Tracer and Noble Gas Laboratory, Waite Campus, Adelaide. The locations of the sampling were recorded using Universal Transverse Mercator coordinates and the point data is projected as GDA_1994_MGA_Zone_51. The results identify the point location and concentrations of 222Rn and 4He in surface water.