GEOLOGIC SUMMARY OF THE SAN JUAN BASIN, NEW MEXICO, WITH REFERENCE TO DISPOSAL OF LIQUID RADIOACTIVE WASTE
The San Juan Basin occupies about 20,000 square miles of northwestern New Mexico and adjacent parts of Colorado. A survey was made on the geology of the San Juan Basin as part of the Radioactive Waste Disposal Program being carried on by the Geological Survey on behalf of the Division of Reactor Development of the Atomic Energy Commission. Four types of reservoirs in the San Juan Basin appear to deserve consideration for possible storage of high-level liquid radioactive waste. These are in gypsum, limestone, shale, and sandstone. Gypsum appears more useful for the storage of sintered waste. Storage of liquid waste in limestone is possible, but it is uncertain whether or not the stored waste could be cortrolled. The construction of artificial reservoirs in shale units by hydraulic fracturing or deep-seated explosion has several advantages, the most significant of which is the relative certainty of confinement. Storage in permeable sandstone units is more favorable from the standpoint of heat control. (C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Geological Survey. Washington, D.C.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-011321
- OSTI ID:
- 4080962
- Report Number(s):
- TEI-603
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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