Surface of the Ringold formation beneath the Hanford Works area
Technical Report
·
OSTI ID:4406984
Two major geologic units at Hanford contain the bulk of the materials into which radioactive liquid wastes are discharged, in which the waste products are retained, and through which they and the ground waters move. These are the Pleistocene Ringold formation ad the Recent glaciofluviatile ad fluviatile sediments. Distinction between the Ringold formation sediments and the Recent fluviatile gravels on the basis of properties affecting waste behavior rather tha, as more commonly, predominatly on lithologic, stratigraphic, or paleontologic grounds, emphasizes the importance of formation distinction at Hanford. These data, geologically correlrted to the lithologic evidence, indicate that the surface of the Ringold formation is extensively ad irregularly eroded. The irregular surface was formed by the Columbia River prior to deposition of the Recent fluviatile gravels. A network of river channels crosses the Hanford areas ad dissects what was evidently a earlier extensive erosional or land surface sloping gently from the hills toward the Columbia River. May of the channels now bottom beneath the current ground water table. Where this occurs ground water flow toward the Columbia River is at least potentially at quite rapid rates through the highly permeable fluviatile gravels. Recognition of the presence of the channels permits monitoring wells to be located better where the most rapid ground water flow occurs ad where contaminats may be moving rapidly toward the Columbia River. Disposal operations can be conducted better to minimize the presence ad effect of those channels ad still further improve ad assure the safety of Hanford's disposal operations. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co., Richland, Wash. (USA). Hanford Atomic Products Operation
- NSA Number:
- NSA-29-010162
- OSTI ID:
- 4406984
- Report Number(s):
- HW--62530
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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