South Wales summary results: Difference between revisions
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==South Wales== | ==South Wales== | ||
===Regional summary=== | ===Regional summary=== | ||
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| '''Area''' | | '''Area''' | ||
| '''Concentration (mg/l)''' | | colspan="3" | '''Concentration (mg/l)''' | ||
| '''Number of samples''' | | '''Number of samples''' | ||
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Methane samples and concentrations in South Wales | <small>Methane samples and concentrations in South Wales <br> | ||
Note: values less than the analytical detection limit have been converted to half the detection limit for the purposes of this statistical summary and graph, but the relevant detection limit is quoted in the table above. | Note: values less than the analytical detection limit have been converted to half the detection limit for the purposes of this statistical summary and graph, but the relevant detection limit is quoted in the table above.</small> | ||
===Baseline groundwater quality data=== | ===Baseline groundwater quality data=== | ||
No baseline data are available for the Carboniferous limestone or the Coal Measures in this region. | No baseline data are available for the Carboniferous limestone or the Coal Measures in this region. | ||
Contact | ===Contact=== | ||
Please contact BGS Enquiries for more information. | Please contact BGS Enquiries for more information. | ||
[[category:National methane baseline survey of UK groundwater ]] | |||
Latest revision as of 15:49, 10 April 2026
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South Wales
Regional summary
In South Wales, 25 sites have been sampled for methane in the two main aquifers, the Carboniferous limestone and the Coal Measures sandstones.
- In the UK, the Carboniferous limestone is a principal aquifer and groundwater flows rapidly through a network of fractures, conduits and caves. In South Wales, this aquifer is not used for public supply, although it provides many private supplies. The Carboniferous limestone outcrops south of the coalfield and has a maximum thickness of 425 m.
- The Coal Measures sandstones in South Wales are very hard and dense, and groundwater will only tend to flow through fractures. Due to mining subsidence, there are zones of increased fracturing, and therefore increased water storage and flow. This aquifer is classed as a secondary A aquifer by the Environment Agency and is not used for public water supply.
The shale unit present in this area is the Marros Group, which consists of siliceous mudstones and local quartz rich sandstones and conglomerates. The maximum height of the top of the Marros is about 400 m above OD at outcrop in the west, but deepens towards the east to reach depths of over 2500 m below OD.
Methane in UK groundwater results
These summary results are from single sampling visits to each site as part of the methane baseline project. The data are summarised for the South Wales region as a whole and also for individual aquifers, where enough data are available.
Methane samples and concentrations in South WalesMethane concentrations chart for South Wales
| Area | Concentration (mg/l) | Number of samples | ||
| Minimum | Median | Maximum | ||
| South Wales | <0.0001 | 0.032 | 0.483 | 25 |
| Carboniferous limestone | <0.0001 | 0.032 | 0.483 | 11 |
| Coal Measures | <0.0001 | 0.034 | 0.216 | 13 |
Methane samples and concentrations in South Wales
Note: values less than the analytical detection limit have been converted to half the detection limit for the purposes of this statistical summary and graph, but the relevant detection limit is quoted in the table above.
Baseline groundwater quality data
No baseline data are available for the Carboniferous limestone or the Coal Measures in this region.
Contact
Please contact BGS Enquiries for more information.