Hydrogeology of the 100-N Area, Hanford Site, Washington

Technical Report · Mon Dec 20 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:10121922

Hartman, M J; Lindsey, K A

Hydrogeologic units beneath the 100-N Area include the vadose zone (primarily Hanford formation). The unconfined aquifer (upper Ringold Formation), a series of confined aquifers in the Ringold Formation, and a series of confined aquifers in the basalts and interbeds. The uppermost aquifer is an unconfined sand and gravel unit in the Ringold Formation. It is 40 to 50 ft thick. The base of the aquifer is a series of fine-grained units in the Ringold Formation. Groundwater flows toward the Columbia River beneath most of the 100-N Area, except when river stage is high for extended periods of time. Groundwater chemistry has been affected by 100-N Area operations. Primary constituents of interest include: (1) {sup 90}Sr and tritium associated with the 1301-N and 1325-N sites, (2) sulfate and sodium associated with the 1324-N/NA site. and (3) petroleum products associated with leaks and spills between the N Reactor building and the river. Radionuclides are detectable in water flowing into the Columbia River from N-Springs. The most significant constituents in spring water are tritium-and {sup 90}Sr. Concentrations of these constituents have declined since 1987. These constituents have also been detected in river water immediately adjacent to the 100-N Area, but are rapidly diluted below detection limits.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-87RL10930
• OSTI ID: 10121922
• Report Number(s): WHC-SD-EN-EV--027; ON: DE94006328
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220
540230
540250
540330
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000
AQUIFERS
CHEMICAL WASTES
CHEMICALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
COLUMBIA RIVER
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GEOLOGY
GEOSCIENCES
GROUND WATER
HANFORD RESERVATION
HYDROLOGY
N-REACTOR
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
SITE RESOURCE AND USE STUDIES
SODIUM
STRONTIUM 90
SULFATES
TRITIUM
WATER CHEMISTRY