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Title: Potential for saturated ground-water system contamination at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Abstract

A program of hydrogeologic investigation has been carried out to determine the likelihood of contaminant movement to the saturated zone from near the ground surface at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). A companion survey of potential contaminant sources was also conducted at the LLNL. Water samples from selected LLNL wells were analyzed to test the water quality in the uppermost part of the saturated zone, which is from 14 to 48 m (45 to 158 ft) beneath the surface. Only nitrate and tritium were found in concentrations above natural background. In one well, the nitrate was slightly more concentrated than the drinking water limit. The nitrate source has not been found. The tritium in all ground-water samples from wells was found far less concentrated than the drinking water limit. The extent of infiltration of surface water was traced with environmental tritium. The thickness and stratigraphy of the unsaturated zone beneath the LLNL, and nearby area, was determined with specially constructed wells and boreholes. Well hydrograph analysis indicated where infiltration of surface water reached the saturated ground-water system. The investigation indicates that water infiltrating from the surface, through alluvial deposits, reaches the saturated zone along the course of Arroyo Seco, Arroyomore » Las Positas, and from the depression near the center of the site where seasonal water accumulates. Several potential contaminant sources were identified, and it is likely that contaminants could move from near the ground surface to the saturated zone beneath LLNL. Additional ground-water sampling and analysis will be performed and ongoing investigations will provide estimates of the speed with which potential contaminants can flow laterally in the saturated zone beneath LLNL. 34 references, 61 figures, 16 tables.« less

Authors:
; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
5300173
Report Number(s):
UCRL-53426
ON: DE84005631
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-48
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 58 GEOSCIENCES; 11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; GROUND WATER; CONTAMINATION; WATER QUALITY; LAWRENCE LIVERMORE LABORATORY; GEOLOGY; HYDROLOGY; BOREHOLES; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; NITRATES; STRATIGRAPHY; TRITIUM; BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; CAVITIES; DATA; ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; HYDROGEN ISOTOPES; INFORMATION; ISOTOPES; LIGHT NUCLEI; NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS; NITROGEN COMPOUNDS; NUCLEI; NUMERICAL DATA; ODD-EVEN NUCLEI; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; RADIOISOTOPES; US AEC; US DOE; US ERDA; US ORGANIZATIONS; WATER; YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES; 520200* - Environment, Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989); 510200 - Environment, Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989); 580100 - Geology & Hydrology- (-1989); 053000 - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects

Citation Formats

Stone, R, Ruggieri, M R, Rogers, L L, Emerson, D O, and Buddemeier, R W. Potential for saturated ground-water system contamination at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. United States: N. p., 1982. Web.
Stone, R, Ruggieri, M R, Rogers, L L, Emerson, D O, & Buddemeier, R W. Potential for saturated ground-water system contamination at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. United States.
Stone, R, Ruggieri, M R, Rogers, L L, Emerson, D O, and Buddemeier, R W. 1982. "Potential for saturated ground-water system contamination at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory". United States.
@article{osti_5300173,
title = {Potential for saturated ground-water system contamination at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory},
author = {Stone, R and Ruggieri, M R and Rogers, L L and Emerson, D O and Buddemeier, R W},
abstractNote = {A program of hydrogeologic investigation has been carried out to determine the likelihood of contaminant movement to the saturated zone from near the ground surface at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). A companion survey of potential contaminant sources was also conducted at the LLNL. Water samples from selected LLNL wells were analyzed to test the water quality in the uppermost part of the saturated zone, which is from 14 to 48 m (45 to 158 ft) beneath the surface. Only nitrate and tritium were found in concentrations above natural background. In one well, the nitrate was slightly more concentrated than the drinking water limit. The nitrate source has not been found. The tritium in all ground-water samples from wells was found far less concentrated than the drinking water limit. The extent of infiltration of surface water was traced with environmental tritium. The thickness and stratigraphy of the unsaturated zone beneath the LLNL, and nearby area, was determined with specially constructed wells and boreholes. Well hydrograph analysis indicated where infiltration of surface water reached the saturated ground-water system. The investigation indicates that water infiltrating from the surface, through alluvial deposits, reaches the saturated zone along the course of Arroyo Seco, Arroyo Las Positas, and from the depression near the center of the site where seasonal water accumulates. Several potential contaminant sources were identified, and it is likely that contaminants could move from near the ground surface to the saturated zone beneath LLNL. Additional ground-water sampling and analysis will be performed and ongoing investigations will provide estimates of the speed with which potential contaminants can flow laterally in the saturated zone beneath LLNL. 34 references, 61 figures, 16 tables.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5300173}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Dec 14 00:00:00 EST 1982},
month = {Tue Dec 14 00:00:00 EST 1982}
}

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