Aquifer characteristics and ground-water movement at Hanford

Technical Report · Tue Jun 09 04:00:00 EDT 1959

OSTI ID:5730300

Bierschenk, W H

The hydraulic characteristics of Hanford aquifers were measured and estimated by a variety of established field methods. These include the nonequilbrium type curve solution, the modified nonequilibrium and Theis recovery formulas, estimations from specific capacity and cyclic fluctuation data, and the results of tracer tests. Mutually consistent results show that the permeability of the glaciofluviatile sediments ranges from about 10,000 gpd/ft/sup 2/ to more than 60,000 gpd/ft/sup 2/, and the permeability of the Ringold deposits ranges from about 100 to 600 gpd/ft/sup 2/. Based on these permeability data, calculations of the average rate of ground-water flow indicate a range from a few inches per day to as much as 160 ft/day. The hydraulic studies show that wastes which reach the water table beneath disposal sites move in a general southeastward and eastward direction some 20 miles to the Columbia River. Average rates of ground-water flow indicate that travel along this estimated mean lateral path of ground-water contamination could be completed in an average time in the order of 180 years. Such factors as heterogeneity and anisotropy of the aquifers, and dispersal of wastes in the ground water, however, assume great importance in determining the path and ultimately the concentration of radioactive wastes in the water. Consequently, much additional information is needed to determine the quantitative effect of these factors in the field.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Richland, WA (USA). Hanford Atomic Products Operation
• OSTI ID: 5730300
• Report Number(s): HW-60601
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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AQUIFERS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLOW RATE
GROUND WATER
HANFORD RESERVATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER