Mineralogy-petrology studies and natural barriers at Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Yucca Mountain is being studied as a potential site for an underground, high-level nuclear waste repository. The site is underlain by a thick sequence of lithologically variable pyroclastic rocks. The candidate host rock is a densely welded devitrified tuff, the Topopah Spring Member of the Paintbrush Tuff. The water table is about 200--400 m below the potential repository. The types, distributions, and abundances of both rock-matrix and fracture-lining minerals along potential transport pathways between the proposed repository and accessible environment are described. Our work emphasizes the distribution of secondary minerals such as zeolites, clays, and Fe and Mn oxides because of their ability to selectivity sorb or retard certain radionuclides. We are also examining both the conditions under which mineral assemblages form and their thermal stabilities. Mineralogic and petrologic studies of the candidate host rock and the underlying units will help establish whether these rock units will act as effective, long-term natural barriers to radionuclide transport. 28 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States); Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 137517
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR--89-2952; CONF-890928--3; ON: DE89016778
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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