Geochemical controls on groundwater chemistry in shales

Conference · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5988830

Von Damm, K L

The chemistry of groundwaters is one of the most important parameters in determining the mobility of species within a rock formation. A three pronged approach was used to determine the composition of, and geochemical controls, on groundwaters specifically within shale formations: (1) available data were collected from the literature, the US Geological Survey WATSTORE data base, and field sampling, (2) the geochemical modeling code EQ3/6 was used to simulate interaction of various shales and groundwaters, and (3) several types of shale were reacted with synthetic groundwaters in the laboratory. The comparison of model results to field and laboratory data provide a means of validating the models, as well as a means of deconvoluting complex field interactions. Results suggest that groundwaters in shales have a wide range in composition and are primarily of the Na-Cl-HCO/sub 3/- type. The constancy of the Na:Cl (molar) ratio at 1:1 and the Ca:Mg ratio from 3:1 to 1:1 suggests the importance of halite and carbonates in controlling groundwater compositions. In agreement with the reaction path modeling, most of the groundwaters are neutral to slightly alkaline at low temperatures. Model and experimental results suggest that reaction (1) at elevated temperatures, or (2) in the presence of oxygen will lead to more acidic conditions. Some acetate was found to be produced in the experiments; depending on the constraints applied, large amounts of acetate were produced in the model results. 13 refs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5988830
• Report Number(s): CONF-890867-1; ON: DE89011237
• Resource Relation: Conference: 6. international symposium on water-rock interaction, Malvern, UK, 3-9 Aug 1989; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
GROUND WATER
GEOCHEMISTRY
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
GROUND DISPOSAL
ACETATES
CALCIUM
FLOW RATE
MAGNESIUM
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
PRODUCTION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
SHALES
SODIUM CHLORIDES
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CHEMISTRY
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ELEMENTS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
053000 - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects