Calibration of Yucca Mountain unsaturated zone flow and transport model using porewater chloride data
In this study, porewater chloride data from Yucca Mountain, Nevada, are analyzed and modeled by 3-D chemical transport simulations and analytical methods. The simulation modeling approach is based on a continuum formulation of coupled multiphase fluid flow and tracer transport processes through fractured porous rock, using a dual-continuum concept. Infiltration-rate calibrations were using the pore water chloride data. Model results of chloride distributions were improved in matching the observed data with the calibrated infiltration rates. Statistical analyses of the frequency distribution for overall percolation fluxes and chloride concentration in the unsaturated zone system demonstrate that the use of the calibrated infiltration rates had insignificant effect on the distribution of simulated percolation fluxes but significantly changed the predicated distribution of simulated chloride concentrations. An analytical method was also applied to model transient chloride transport. The method was verified by 3-D simulation results as able to capture major chemical transient behavior and trends. Effects of lateral flow in the Paintbrush nonwelded unit on percolation fluxes and chloride distribution were studied by 3-D simulations with increased horizontal permeability. The combined results from these model calibrations furnish important information for the UZ model studies, contributing to performance assessment of the potential repository.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Office (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 840320
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-49871; R&D Project: 81BB11; TRN: US0501961
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, Vol. 62-63, Issue SI; Other Information: Submitted to Journal of Contaminant Hydrology: Volume 62-63, Special Issue; Journal Publication Date: 04-05/2003; PBD: 1 Sep 2002
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
58 GEOSCIENCES
CALIBRATION
CHLORIDES
DISTRIBUTION
FLUID FLOW
NEVADA
PERFORMANCE
PERMEABILITY
SIMULATION
TRANSIENTS
TRANSPORT
WATER
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
CHLORIDE UNSATURATED ZONE YUCCA MOUNTAIN GEOCHEMISTRY INFILTRATION MAP PERCOLATION.