Stoke-on-Trent: a geological background for planning and development

This study, carried out between 1988 and 1990, was commissioned by the Department of the Environment (DOE) and funded jointly by the Department and the British Geological Survey (BGS). Its main aim was to make a synthesis of geological data relevant to planning of land-use and development in the Stoke-on-Trent area. This report is specifically written for planners and there has been an attempt to avoid complex geological terms. Besides text illustrations the report includes ten thematic maps at a common scale of 1 :25 000. An additional volume concentrates on engineering geology for site investigation companies. Seven further short reports feature geological details of separate 1: 10 000 sheets, couched in more technical language

A 3D geological background for Knowsley Industrial Park and surrounding areas, NW England

This report describes the results of a study carried out by the British Geological Survey (BGS) on behalf of the Environment Agency NW to investigate the underlying geology beneath Knowsley Industrial Park, Merseyside, NW England. The overarching aim of the project was to establish a 3D geoscience framework beneath the Knowsley Industrial Park to enable the Environment Agency (the Agency) to assess the vulnerability of the underlying Sherwood Sandstone aquifer. The vulnerability of the aquifer to pollution from current and historic contamination of land, potentially leaking foul sewers and contaminated surface water drains could then be assessed by reference to the underlying geology. In addition to the 3D geological model, United Utilities pipeline data for foul and surface water drainage was provided by the Agency. This pipeline information was analysed and integrated with the geological data to provide an assessment of the potential linkage between the pipes and the underling bedrock or superficial geology in which they are sited. Over 300 additional paper borehole records were provided by the Agency from previous environmental site investigations carried out in the industrial park and incorporated into the BGS databases. In total, 1279 coded boreholes were used in the study. Of these, 733 were used to construct 58 geological cross-sections. The 3D geological model revealed a sequence of superficial deposits across the site comprising glacial, post-glacial and artificial deposits overlying the Sherwood Sandstone Group, that in places are deeply weathered to form loose sand. In the south-east and north-west of the site, rocks belonging to the Sherwood Sandstone Group crop out at surface. The vulnerability of the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer beneath the site, to pollution from contaminated water, depends in part on the distribution and thickness of weakly permeable superficial deposits such as clay or silt. The geological model has revealed that till is the only clay dominated unit present beneath the site and for this reason, invert levels of foul and surface water pipes were compared to this geological deposit as it may influence the potential vulnerability of the underlying aquifer. Invert levels represent the elevation of the base of the pipe. 4722 pipeline segments were analysed and classified according to their minimum invert level (representing the maximum depth below ground level) recorded for each segment. This information was used to identify pipeline segments that occurred above, below or within till. Pipeline segments interpreted to lie within or above the till were subdivided according to whether they were underlain by greater or less than 2.5 m of till. 2.5 m represents the average thickness of till calculated from the 3D geological model. Pipeline segments whose invert level occurs beneath the till will lie directly within the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer or sand and gravel dominated superficial deposits and therefore the relative hazard potential may be higher than those where clay dominated superficial deposits occur between them and the underlying aquifer. In general, the results indicate that the northern part of Knowsley Industrial Park and the northwestern part of the wider project area are underlain by greater than 2.5 m of till and that pipelines lie above the top surface of the till or within it. In contrast, the southern part of Knowsley Industrial Park and the south-western part of the wider project area are underlain generally by less than 2.5 m of till and pipeline segments occur below the till or directly within the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer. This information can be used as a preliminary screening or prioritisation tool. It can identify potential areas where the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer is most vulnerable to pollution from contaminated groundwater from poor condition, potentially leaking sewers and drains in the subsurface

Lancashire County Council : sand and gravel study

ENTEC UK in association with the British Geological Survey were commissioned by Lancashire County Council, in conjunction Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council and Blackpool Borough Council, to assess possible sources of sand within their counties. The role of the British Geological Survey (BGS) in the project was to identify all potential areas for future high quality sand and gravel extraction within Lancashire, Blackburn-with-Darwen and Blackpool. The study will also indicate the areas which might warrant more detailed investigation in a second stage of the study

The sand and gravel resources of the country around Potter Hanworth and Reepham, Lincolnshire : description of 1:25,000 sheets TF 06 and 07

The geological maps of the Institute of Geological Sciences, pre-existing borehole information, and 57 boreholes drilled for the Industrial Minerals Assessment Unit form the basis of the assessment of the sand and gravel resources of the Potter Hanworth and Reepham area of Lincolnshire. All deposits of the district that might be potentially workable for sand and gravel have been investigated and a simple statistical method has been used to estimate the volume. The reliability of the volume estimates is given at the symmetrical 95 per cent probability level. The 1:25 000 map is divided into four resource blocks, containing between 7.6 and 19.9 km2 of sand and gravel. For each block the geology of the deposits is described, and the mineral-bearing area, the mean thickness of overburden and mineral and the mean gradings are stated. Detailed borehole data are also given. The geology, the position of the boreholes and the outlines of the resource blocks are shown on the accompanying map

The sand and gravel resources of the country between Coventry and Rugby, Warwickshire : description of 1:25,000 sheet SP 47 and part of 37

The geological maps of the Institute of Geological Sciences, pre-existing borehole information, and 70 boreholes drilled for the Industrial Minerals Assessment Unit form the basis of the assessment of the sand and gravel resources in the area between Coventry and Rugby, Warwickshire. All the deposits in the district that might be potentially workable for sand and gravel have been investigated and a simple statistical method has been used to estimate the volume. The reliability of the volume estimates is given at the symmetrical 95 per cent probability level. The assessed area is divided into six resource blocks, containing between 10.5 and 19.9 km2 of sand and gravel. For each block the geology of the deposits is described, and the mineral-bearing area, the mean thickness of overburden and mineral and the mean gradings are stated. Detailed borehole data are also given. The geology, the position of the boreholes and the outlines of the resource blocks are shown on the accompanying map