Tracer tests performed in the field for WIPP in southeastern New Mexico
A two-well recirculating tracer test began in October, 1979, to define as accurately as possible the hydraulic character of a fractured carbonate aquifer, the Culebra dolomite member of the Rustler Formation at the WIPP site in Eddy and Lee Counties, New Mexico. The Culebra dolomite overlies a zone planned for isolation of transuranic contaminated waste generated by the United States defense programs. The storage zone of the proposed facility is in nearly pure halite and about 1400 feet (427 meters) below the Culebra dolomite, the most likely pathway for the migration of radionuclides to the biosphere in the event the repository is breached by groundwater. Included in the definition of the hydraulic character of the Culebra aquifer are natural groundwater velocities, aquifer porosity and components of dispersivity. The proposed tracer test using sodium benzoate, a homologous series of chlorofluoromethanes and pentafluorobenzoic acid as tracers is described. Results of the test will be reported at a later date.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-04-0789
- OSTI ID:
- 5877689
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-79-0981C; CONF-791112-19
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Recent developments in the conceptual geologic and hydrologic understanding of the WIPP site, southeastern New Mexico
Two-well recirculation tracer tests at the H-2 hydropad, Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), southeastern New Mexico
Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
520301 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- Water-- (1987)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
AQUIFERS
BENZOIC ACID
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE ROCKS
CARBONATES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DOLOMITE
FLUORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
MAGNESIUM CARBONATES
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MINERALS
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
SALT DEPOSITS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SOUTHWEST REGION
TRACER TECHNIQUES
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT