Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Chemistry of groundwater in tuffaceous rocks, central Nevada: State of Nevada, agency for nuclear projects/nuclear waste project office

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/60710· OSTI ID:60710
A flow path chemical model in tuffaceous rocks was developed using statistical, graphical, and computer methods. Forty-nine springs which discharged from glassy, devitrified, and variably altered silicic rocks represent early stage recharge chemistry. Chemical analyses from Pahute Mesa and Yucca Mountain wells penetrating similar rock type and representing further chemically evolved waters, were compared. Common traits included pH, SO{sub 4}, HCO{sub 3}, SiO{sub 2}, TDS, and mineral saturation and stability. The trace elements (Fe, Mn, F, Li, and Sr), Cl, and cation concentrations, and temperature distinguished the two end member groundwaters. The difference in cation proportion between the Ca-HCO{sub 3} type recharge chemistry and the Na-HCO{sub 3} type well chemistry may reflect a decrease in divalent ions upon secondary mineral formation and/or ion exchange with clay and zeolite minerals (chiefly smectite and clinoptilolite).
Research Organization:
Nevada Nuclear Waste Project Office, Carson City, NV (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG08-85NV10461
OSTI ID:
60710
Report Number(s):
DOE/NV/10461--T1-Vol.6; NWPO-TR--006-87; ON: DE89011485
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English