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Abstract The Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) is a 57 km long railway tunnel, constructed in the Central Alps in Switzerland and extending mainly North–South across numerous geological units. We acquired 80 new gravity data points at the surface along the GBT profile and used 77 gravity measurements in the tunnel to test and constrain the shallow crustal, km-scale geological model established during the tunnel construction. To this end, we developed a novel processing scheme, which computes a fully 3D, density-dependent gravity terrain-adaptation correction (TAC), to consistently compare the gravity observations with the 2D geological model structure; the latter converted into a density model. This approach allowed to explore and quantify candidate rock density distributions along the GBT modelled profile in a computationally-efficient manner, and to test whether a reasonable fit can be found without structural modification of the geological model. The tested density data for the various lithologies were compiled from the SAPHYR rock physical property database. The tested models were evaluated both in terms of misfit between observed and synthetic gravity data, and also in terms of correlation between misfit trend and topography of the target profile. The results indicate that the locally sampled densities provide a better fit to the data for the considered lithologies, rather than density data averaged over a wider set of Alpine rock samples for the same lithology. Furthermore, using one homogeneous and constant density value for all the topographic corrections does not provide an optimal fit to the data, which instead confirms density variations along the profile. Structurally, a satisfactory fit could be found without modifying the 2D geological model, which thus can be considered gravimetry-proof. From a more general perspective, the gravity data processing routines and the density-dependent corrections developed in this case study represent a remarkable potential for further high-resolution gravity investigations of geological structures.

Abstract Drilling of the Gotthard Rail Base Tunnel through the Central Alps from 2005 to 2010 opened up fractured basement units and frequent water inflows provided access to the major fluid-rock interactions processes in orogenic crystalline upper crust. Construction of the 57 km long tunnel was divided into five different sections. Here we report data and observations from the 10 km long central Sedrun section 211 water samples were collected at inflow points 900 to 2350 m below the surface. The exceptional samples and data provide a comprehension of the hydrochemical evolution and solute acquisition of deep groundwater in basement units. The investigated tunnel section drilled through steeply dipping rock units and vertical fracture systems at high angle. It cuts across granite, gneiss and schist of the pre-Alpine basement and across two narrow zones of meta-sediments. Rock temperature along the Sedrun section varies from 30 to 45 °C depending on the thickness of the overburden. The fracture water is of meteoric origin and acquires its composition exclusively by chemical interaction with the surrounding rocks along the flow path. Water from inflow points in the basement of the Gotthard Massif has typically a high pH of about 10 and total dissolved solids in the range of 100 to 300 mg L−1. Sodium is the prime cation of most waters. Although plentiful in the rocks, calcium, potassium and magnesium are low to very low in water. The anions associated with Na are carbonate/bicarbonate, sulfate, fluoride and chloride in widely varying proportions. High fluoride concentrations of up to 15.4 mg L−1 are characteristic for most waters. As a result of the high pH dissolved silica (SiO2) reached concentrations of up to 58 mg L−1 and represents 25—30 wt% of the solutes. The meteoric recharge provides dissolved O2 and CO2 to the fluid-rock interaction processes. The solutes derive from the dissolution of feldspar (Na+, SiO2aq), oxidation of sulfides to sulfate (SO4 2−), alteration of biotite (F−), and fluid inclusions opened by brittle deformation (Cl−). The solids formed during fluid-rock interaction, mainly zeolites, chlorite (and other clay minerals) and secondary Fe-minerals, remove Mg, Fe, and K almost quantitatively from the water. The high pH results from hydrolysis of silicates. The data distinctly show that within the depth interval of 1.0–2.5 km below surface deep water in continental basement evolves to a low TDS, high pH, sodium carbonate and silica solution by interaction of gneiss and granite with infiltrating pristine meteoric water, snow and rain.

The Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) is a 57 km long railway tunnel, constructed in the Central Alps in Switzerland and extending mainly North–South across numerous geological units. We acquired 80 new gravity data points at the surface along the GBT profile and used 77 gravity measurements in the tunnel to test and constrain the shallow crustal, km-scale geological model established during the tunnel construction. To this end, we developed a novel processing scheme, which computes a fully 3D, density-dependent gravity terrain-adaptation correction (TAC), to consistently compare the gravity observations with the 2D geological model structure; the latter converted into a density model. This approach allowed to explore and quantify candidate rock density distributions along the GBT modelled profile in a computationally-efficient manner, and to test whether a reasonable fit can be found without structural modification of the geological model. The tested density data for the various lithologies were compiled from the SAPHYR rock physical property database. The tested models were evaluated both in terms of misfit between observed and synthetic gravity data, and also in terms of correlation between misfit trend and topography of the target profile. The results indicate that the locally sampled densities provide a better fit to the data for the considered lithologies, rather than density data averaged over a wider set of Alpine rock samples for the same lithology. Furthermore, using one homogeneous and constant density value for all the topographic corrections does not provide an optimal fit to the data, which instead confirms density variations along the profile. Structurally, a satisfactory fit could be found without modifying the 2D geological model, which thus can be considered gravimetry-proof. From a more general perspective, the gravity data processing routines and the density-dependent corrections developed in this case study represent a remarkable potential for further high-resolution gravity investigations of geological structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drilling of the Gotthard Rail Base Tunnel through the Central Alps from 2005 to 2010 opened up fractured basement units and frequent water inflows provided access to the major fluid-rock interactions processes in orogenic crystalline upper crust. Construction of the 57 km long tunnel was divided into five different sections. Here we report data and observations from the 10 km long central Sedrun section 211 water samples were collected at inflow points 900 to 2350 m below the surface. The exceptional samples and data provide a comprehension of the hydrochemical evolution and solute acquisition of deep groundwater in basement units. The investigated tunnel section drilled through steeply dipping rock units and vertical fracture systems at high angle. It cuts across granite, gneiss and schist of the pre-Alpine basement and across two narrow zones of meta-sediments. Rock temperature along the Sedrun section varies from 30 to 45 °C depending on the thickness of the overburden. The fracture water is of meteoric origin and acquires its composition exclusively by chemical interaction with the surrounding rocks along the flow path. Water from inflow points in the basement of the Gotthard Massif has typically a high pH of about 10 and total dissolved solids in the range of 100 to 300 mg L−1. Sodium is the prime cation of most waters. Although plentiful in the rocks, calcium, potassium and magnesium are low to very low in water. The anions associated with Na are carbonate/bicarbonate, sulfate, fluoride and chloride in widely varying proportions. High fluoride concentrations of up to 15.4 mg L−1 are characteristic for most waters. As a result of the high pH dissolved silica (SiO2) reached concentrations of up to 58 mg L−1 and represents 25—30 wt% of the solutes. The meteoric recharge provides dissolved O2 and CO2 to the fluid-rock interaction processes. The solutes derive from the dissolution of feldspar (Na+, SiO2aq), oxidation of sulfides to sulfate (SO42−), alteration of biotite (F−), and fluid inclusions opened by brittle deformation (Cl−). The solids formed during fluid-rock interaction, mainly zeolites, chlorite (and other clay minerals) and secondary Fe-minerals, remove Mg, Fe, and K almost quantitatively from the water. The high pH results from hydrolysis of silicates. The data distinctly show that within the depth interval of 1.0–2.5 km below surface deep water in continental basement evolves to a low TDS, high pH, sodium carbonate and silica solution by interaction of gneiss and granite with infiltrating pristine meteoric water, snow and rain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]