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U.S. Department of Energy
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Mineral sources of water in evaporite sequences. Final research report. [Cores from Lyons, Kansas]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5360955

More than 100 minerals have been found in evaporite sequences, many of which contain water in one form or another. Data concerning their potential for dehydration are included in appendices. Many of these minerals are unstable, but any waste disposal site being considered should be carefully studied to determine the nature and quantity of such mineral sources of water. Cores taken at Lyons, Kansas, were studied using thin section petrography, x-ray diffraction analysis, weight loss under static heating, and DTA. Minerals identified include gypsum, anhydrite, halite, polyhalite, quartz, feldspar, dolomite, magnesite, and several clay minerals. The water released from samples of the cores upon heating may come from ''connate'' water, fluid inclusions, water of crystallization, and/or clay minerals. Weight loss (102 +- 3/sup 0/C) can be correlated with the major mineral content: > 10% loss for gypsum +- clays, 2 to 10% loss for clays +- gypsum, and < 2% loss for halite and/or anhydrite. As a general rule, water contents of individual rock layers are influenced not only by their minerals, but also by burial depths. It is concluded that a potential for dewatering upon heating exists for any waste repository located in an evaporite sequence. (DLC)

Research Organization:
Tennessee Univ., Knoxville (USA). Dept. of Geology
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5360955
Report Number(s):
ORNL/SUB-3670/2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English