Groundwater hydrology study of the Ames Chemical Disposal Site
The Ames Laboratory Chemical Disposal Site is located in northwestern Ames, Iowa west of Squaw Creek. From 1957 to 1966, Ames Laboratory conducted research to develop processes to separate uranium and thorium from nuclear power fuel and to separate yttrium from neutron shielding sources. The wastes from these processes, which contained both hazardous and radiological components, were placed into nine burial pits. Metal drums, plywood boxes, and steel pails were used to store the wastes. Uranium was also burned on the ground surface of the site. Monitoring wells were placed around the waste burial pits. Groundwater testing in 1993 revealed elevated levels of Uranium 234, Uranium 238, beta and alpha radiation. The north side of the burial pit had elevated levels of volatile organic compounds. Samples in the East Ravine showed no volatile organics; however, they did contain elevated levels of radionuclides. These analytical results seem to indicate that the groundwater from the burial pit is flowing down hill and causing contamination in the East Ravine. Although there are many avenues for the contamination to spread, the focus of this project is to understand the hydrogeology of the East Ravine and to determine the path of groundwater flow down the East Ravine. The groundwater flow data along with other existing information will be used to assess the threat of chemical migration down the East Ravine and eventually off-site. The primary objectives of the project were as follows: define the geology of the East Ravine; conduct slug tests to determine the hydraulic conductivity of both oxidized and unoxidized till; develop a three-dimensional mathematical model using ModIME and MODFLOW to simulate groundwater flow in the East Ravine.
- Research Organization:
- Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-82
- OSTI ID:
- 251282
- Report Number(s):
- IS-T-1769; ON: DE96012098; TRN: 96:016024
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: DN: Thesis submitted to Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (US); TH: Thesis (M.S.); PBD: 9 May 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Explanation of Significant Differences for the Record of Decision for Interim Actions in Zone 1, East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Removal of Historic Low-Level Radioactive Waste from the Highland Drive South and Alexander Street Ravines - 19155
Related Subjects
AMES LABORATORY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
HYDROLOGY
GROUND WATER
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
REMEDIAL ACTION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
WATER WELLS
MONITORING
CONTAMINATION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL WASTES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
SOILS
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
FLOW MODELS
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA