Geochemical constraints on groundwater flow models for the Hanford Site, southeastern Washington
Certain flows within the Columbia River Basalt Group underlying the Hanford Site are being examined for their potential as a deep geologic repository for the permanent storage of high-level radioactive wastes. The Reference Repository Location (RRL) is within the Cold Creek syncline on the eastern margin of the Yakima fold belt. It is believed that mixing of groundwaters from at least two different flow systems has occurred beneath the Hanford Site. Groundwaters from the Wanapum Basalt in the vicinity of the RRL appear to be mixtures of waters similar to those from the overlying Saddle Mountains Basalt (local flow system) and the underlying Grande Ronde Basalt (regional flow system). Explanations other than advection do not appear to be supported by distinctive geochemical depth profiles of conservative constituents such as chloride, delta/sup 18/O, and deltaD. While uncertainties exist, available data suggest that groundwater from a deep, regional flow system migrates slowly upward beneath the central Pasco Basin and mixes with local, shallow groundwater. Vertical mixing near the RRL may be associated with an apparent hydrologic barrier located to the west. It is hypothesized that within the RRL the vertical component of flow is important because the hydrologic barrier seems to be an impediment to lateral flow and creates a stagnant zone. Further to the east within the Cold Creek syncline and away from the zone of stagnation, lateral flow predominates and dilution effects mask the evidence of upward migration of deep groundwater.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell Hanford Operations, Richland, WA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6676431
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8510489-
- Journal Information:
- Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Vol. 17; Conference: 98. annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Orlando, FL, USA, 28 Oct 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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