Mineralogy of the Rustler Formation in the WIPP-19 Core
- Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
The mineralogy of the Rustler Formation is a critical element in many of the radionuclide release models for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), and it is necessary to know the abundances of the various minerals present, their compositions, their textures and locations with respect to water-bearing features, and their interrelationships. Clay mineralogy in particular is of vital importance because of the ability of clay minerals to sorb contaminant cations. Furthermore, the minerals present in the different units of the Rustler Formation are possible sources for solutes present in waters taken from various boreholes in the vicinity of the WIPP site. This report characterizes the mineralogy of the Rustler Formation as represented in core from borehole WIPP-19. The major components, as determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD), are halite, anhydrite, gypsum, dolomite, magnesite, quartz, and clay. Minor components include calcite, pyrite, feldspar and phyllosilicates of metamorphic origin (muscovite, biotite, and chlorite). Clay minerals, identified by XRD, include illite, serpentine, chlorite, and mixed-layer chlorite/smectite (including corrensite). In general, this study should be considered a detailed analysis of the Rustler section mineralogy. It is unlikely that any other minerals are present elsewhere in the Rustler Formation in any great quantity. Abundances of individual minerals may vary considerably in other areas of the formation.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5868046
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--87-7036; ON: DE91012372
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ANHYDRITE
BOREHOLES
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM SULFATES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE MINERALS
CARBONATES
CAVITIES
CHALCOGENIDES
CLAYS
COHERENT SCATTERING
DIFFRACTION
DOLOMITE
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
HALIDE MINERALS
HALITE
MAGNESIUM CARBONATES
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MASS TRANSFER
MINERALOGY
MINERALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROGRAPHY
PILOT PLANTS
QUARTZ
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SCATTERING
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SULFATE MINERALS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
WIPP
X-RAY DIFFRACTION