First status report on regional ground-water flow modeling for the Paradox Basin, Utah
Regional ground-water flow within the principal hydrogeologic units of the Paradox Basin is evaluated by developing a conceptual model of the flow regime in the shallow aquifers and the deep-basin brine aquifers and testing these models using a three-dimensional, finite-difference flow code. Semiquantitative sensitivity analysis (a limited parametric study) is conducted to define the system response to changes in hydrologic properties or boundary conditions. A direct method for sensitivity analysis using an adjoint form of the flow equation is applied to the conceptualized flow regime in the Leadville limestone aquifer. All steps leading to the final results and conclusions are incorporated in this report. The available data utilized in this study is summarized. The specific conceptual models, defining the areal and vertical averaging of litho-logic units, aquifer properties, fluid properties, and hydrologic boundary conditions, are described in detail. Two models were evaluated in this study: a regional model encompassing the hydrogeologic units above and below the Paradox Formation/Hermosa Group and a refined scale model which incorporated only the post Paradox strata. The results are delineated by the simulated potentiometric surfaces and tables summarizing areal and vertical boundary fluxes, Darcy velocities at specific points, and ground-water travel paths. Results from the adjoint sensitivity analysis include importance functions and sensitivity coefficients, using heads or the average Darcy velocities to represent system response. The reported work is the first stage of an ongoing evaluation of the Gibson Dome area within the Paradox Basin as a potential repository for high-level radioactive wastes.
- Research Organization:
- INTERA Environmental Consultants, Lakewood, CO (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10140
- OSTI ID:
- 7178137
- Report Number(s):
- BMI/ONWI-503; ON: DE84012679
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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58 GEOSCIENCES
GROUND WATER
FLOW MODELS
PARADOX BASIN
HYDROLOGY
GEOLOGY
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SALT DEPOSITS
UTAH
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
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WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
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