Evaluation Of Isotopic Diagnostics For Subsurface Characterization And Monitoring : Field Experiments At The Tan And RWMC (SDA) Sites, Ineel
The purpose of this project was to explore and refine applications of isotope measurements for guiding environmental remediation strategies. The isotopic compositions of samples from field sites were analyzed to address both basic scientific issues and site-specific problems. Initial efforts were concentrated on two sites at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). During the final year of the project, the focus of work was shifted to the Hanford site in Washington. The Test Area North (TAN) site at INEEL consists of a 2 km-long plume of mixed wastes containing low-level radionuclides, sewage and chlorinated solvents that were injected into the groundwater between 1955 and 1972. Isotopic measurements of groundwater samples were made to address questions about the source of the groundwater and the regional hydrology at TAN. These data show that there is a significant input to the groundwater from playa lakes that were located west of the TAN site prior to the 1950s (since that time, inflow to the playas has been diverted for agricultural uses). Radiocarbon dates of the playa waters indicate a mean infiltration rate of 3-5 cm/year. These results explain the groundwater flow patterns observed in the plume and provide constraints on transport rates.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., Berkeley, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 828252
- Report Number(s):
- EMSP-55351-1999; R&D Project: EMSP 55351; TRN: US200427%%192
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 31 Dec 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Evaluation of Isotopic Diagnostics for Subsurface Characterization and Monitoring: Field Experiments at the TAN And RWMC (SDA) Sites, INEEL
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