Origin of the brines near WIPP from the drill holes ERDA-6 and WIPP-12 based on stable isotope concentrations of hydrogen and oxygen

Technical Report · Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6250254

Spiegler, P; Updegraff, D

Pathways which might alter the isotopic compositions of deuterium and oxygen-18 meteoric water, seawaters, and in hydration waters in gypsum to the isotopic compositions of brines encountered at ERDA-6 and WIPP-12 are discussed. Present geologic conditions do not favor the alteration of the isotopic compositions of waters that exist near the WIPP site to those of the brines by these pathways. It is concluded that the brines encountered at ERDA-6 and WIPP-12 are probably derived from ancient ocean waters that have been isotopically enriched in oxygen-18 by exchange interaction with rock. The dehydration of gypsum as a process of origin of these brines cannot be ruled out.

• Research Organization: New Mexico Health and Environment Dept., Santa Fe (USA). Environmental Improvement Div.
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-78AL10752
• OSTI ID: 6250254
• Report Number(s): DOE/AL/10752-18; EEG-18; ON: DE83012310
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
BRINES
ISOTOPE RATIO
ORIGIN
DEUTERIUM
NEW MEXICO
OXYGEN 18
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION VI
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
OXYGEN ISOTOPES
STABLE ISOTOPES
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
580400* - Geochemistry- (-1989)
052002 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage