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The Relationship between Sequence Stratigraphy and Groundwater of Quaternary Sediments in Relation to Global Sea-level Change in the Downstream Red River Delta Area

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Abstract

The study of the distribution law and origin of groundwater in Quaternary sediments downstream of the Red River Delta is approached in the direction of research on sequence stratigraphy and the distribution law of lithofacies according to space and time. However, the distribution law of lithofacies and groundwater depends on global sea-level changes and tectonic activities as the two most important reasons. Quaternary sediments of the Red River delta downstream have 5 sediment cycles corresponding to 5 sequences: (1) sequence 1 with Early Pleistocene age (Sq1–\({\text{Q}}_{1}^{1}\)); (2) sequence 2 with early Middle Pleistocene age (Sq2–\({\text{Q}}_{1}^{{2{\text{a}}}}\)); (3) sequence 3 with late middle Pleistocene age (Sq3–\({\text{Q}}_{1}^{{2{\text{b}}}}\)); (4) sequence 4 with early Pleistocene age (Sq4–\({\text{Q}}_{1}^{{3{\text{a}}}}\)); (5) sequence 5 with late Pleistocene–Holocene age (Sq5–\({\text{Q}}_{1}^{{3{\text{b}}}}\)–Q2). Each sequence is composed of three sedimentary systems tracts. The lowstand systems tract (LST) is characterized by a lowstand alluvial muddy sand facies complex that acts as a primary freshwater aquifer (SmarLST). The transgressive systems tract (TST) is characterized by a coastal swamp sand mud facies (MsamtTST) and a maximum transgression bay-lagoon mud facies (MmtTST) acting as an aquifuge. The highstand systems tract (HST) is characterized by sand bar facies (SamhHST) and delta plain sandy mud facies (MsamhHST). Thus, vertically Pleistocene sediments have 5 aquifers, in which each aquifer is constituted by the superposition of two successive facies complex: (1) upper part: lowstand alluvial gravelly sand facies complex (LST) and (2) lower part: highstand dune sand bar facies complex (SarLST/SamhHST). The spatial distribution of freshwater aquifers in 3 provinces Northwest Thai Binh, Ninh Binh—southeast Nam Dinh, and northwest Nam Dinh demonstrate the absence of shallow marine-bay mud facies.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In the process of researching to complete this article, the author has received the attention and support of the General Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam, the Northern Division of Geological Maps and the National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation (NAWAPI) has facilitated the authors to take samples from 30 Quaternary geological wells for additional analysis of sediment criteria and collect data of groundwater of 46 hydrogeological wells. On this occasion, the authors would like to express their deep gratitude for this valuable help.

This paper has been completed within the implementation of the grant research project KHCBTD.01/19-21 and VAST–FEB RAS Project code QTRU02.02/21-22. The research was carried out as part of the State Program for basic scientific research АААА-А19-119122090009-2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. VNU—University of Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Tran Nghi, Dinh Xuan Thanh, Tran Thi Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao & Tran Thi Dung

  2. The Union of Science Geology and Water Resources, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Do Tien Hung & Tran Thi Thuy Huong

  3. Institute of Marine Geology and Geophysics—Vietnam Academy of Science & Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Trinh Hoai Thu

  4. Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, 690041, Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, Russia

    Renat Shakirov, Nadezhda Syrbu & Natalia Lee

  5. General Geological Association of Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Ngo Quang Toan, Hoang Anh Khien & Tran Ngoc Dien

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  1. Tran Nghi
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Tran Nghi, Hung, D.T., Thu, T.H. et al. The Relationship between Sequence Stratigraphy and Groundwater of Quaternary Sediments in Relation to Global Sea-level Change in the Downstream Red River Delta Area. Lithol Miner Resour 57, 449–472 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S002449022205008X

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