Yellowstone as an Analog for Thermal-Hydrological-Chemical Processes at Yucca Mountain

Technical Report · Tue May 29 04:00:00 EDT 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/786565· OSTI ID:786565

Dobson, P F; Kneafsey, T J; Simmons, A; Hulen, J

Enhanced water-rock interaction resulting from the emplacement of heat-generating nuclear waste in the potential geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, may result in changes to fluid flow (resulting from mineral dissolution and precipitation in condensation and boiling zones, respectively). Studies of water-rock interaction in active and fossil geothermal systems (natural analogs) provide evidence for changes in permeability and porosity resulting from thermal-hydrological-chemical (THC) processes. The objective of this research is to document the effects of coupled THC processes at Yellowstone and then examine how differences in scale could influence the impact that these processes may have on the Yucca Mountain system. Subsurface samples from Yellowstone National Park, one of the largest active geothermal systems in the world, contain some the best examples of hydrothermal self-sealing found in geothermal systems. We selected core samples from two USGS research drill holes from the transition zone between conductive and convective portions of the geothermal system (where sealing was reported to occur). We analyzed the core, measuring the permeability, porosity, and grain density of selected samples to evaluate how lithology, texture, and degree of hydrothermal alteration influence matrix and fracture permeability.

• Research Organization: Yucca Mountain Project, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• OSTI ID: 786565
• Report Number(s): MOL.20010827.0044; DC 28990
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
BOILING
BOREHOLES
DISSOLUTION
FLUID FLOW
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GRAIN DENSITY
Geothermal Legacy
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
LITHOLOGY
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
POSITIONING
PRECIPITATION
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
TEXTURE
YUCCA MOUNTAIN