Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Results Of Precipitation Monitoring At Yucca Mountain, N. Mcginnis, Amanda Brandt

Publications (YM)

This is the final report presenting precipitation data collected under task ORD-FYO4-007 “Precipitation Monitoring at Yucca Mountain”. This task acquired data using tipping bucket rain gauges to measure, with known accuracy, the accumulation and timing of precipitation in the vicinity of Yucca Mountain. Operation of the tipping bucket precipitation monitoring network was assumed by the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies (HRC) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in March of 2001. Precipitation monitoring data collection concluded June of 2008. All data presented in this report were collected during that time.

Ground Water Level Measurements In Selected Boreholes Near The Site Of The Proposed Repository, H. Scott Page, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

The purpose of this report is to summarize the work and present conclusions of Project Activity Task FY-04-005 conducted under DE-FC28-04RW12232 between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). The work was conducted in the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies of the University of Nevada – Las Vegas from Oct 1, 2003 to Sept 30, 2007.

Geostatistical And Stochastic Study Of Flow And Tracer Transport In The Unsaturated Zone At Yucca Mountain, Ming Ye, Feng Pan, Xiaolong Bill Hu, Jianting Zhu, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

Yucca Mountain has been proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy as the nation’s long-term, permanent geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste. The potential repository would be located in Yucca Mountain’s unsaturated zone (UZ), which acts as a critical natural barrier delaying arrival of radionuclides to the water table. Since radionuclide transport in groundwater can pose serious threats to human health and the environment, it is important to understand how much and how fast water and radionuclides travel through the UZ to groundwater. The UZ system consists of multiple hydrogeologic units whose hydraulic and geochemical properties …

Groundwater Characterization At Yucca Mountain Task 2: Surface Complexation And Solid Phase Sorption, Kenneth Czerwinski, Anthony Hechanova, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

The purpose and scope of this report is to present an overview of the experiments, methods, results, and conclusions from research performed for the project “Groundwater Characterization at Yucca Mountain Task 2: Surface Complexation and Solid Phase Dissolution”. The impact of surface complexation, alteration phase formation, and solution competition with metal ions on the solubility and speciation of actinide elements (U, Pu, Np) will be examined. In particular the role of iron (as Fe2+ and Fe3+) and silicate (as SO3 2-) concentrations on speciation, solubility, sorption, and secondary phase formation of actinides will be investigated. While a large body of …

Geostatistical And Stochastic Study Of Radionuclide Transport In The Unsaturated Zone At Yucca Mountain, Feng Pan, Ming Ye, Jianting Zhu

Publications (YM)

Motivation: Why Study of Unsaturated Zone?

The unsaturated zone (UZ), where the proposed repository would be located, acts as a critical natural barrier by delaying the arrival of radionuclides at the saturated zone and by reducing radionuclide concentrations in groundwater through dispersion and dilution

Quantitative prediction of radionuclide transport in the unsaturated zone becomes critical for performance assessment and design of the proposed repository of the Yucca Mountain Project

Chemical Analyses In Support Of Yucca Mountain Studies, Harry Reid Center For Environmental Studies, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Publications (YM)

Research Objectives:

Provide preparation of injectates, sorption studies and analyses for tracer tests

Provide REE, trace metals, majors and field measurement data from wells of the Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program (NCEWDP)and Inyo County

Other laboratory needs as they arise

Ground Water Level Monitoring At Yucca Mountain — A Programmatic Summary, H. Scott Page

Publications (YM)

Scope - Confirmatory study supporting previously gathered information
- Measure levels on established network of monitoring wells
- Submit data annually

Objectives - Provide measurements of known accuracy and precision
- Use manual and electronic equipment
- Provide quality assured data
- Contribute to hydrological understanding
- Support refinement of potentiometric surface
- Provide data for regional flow model
- Fulfill State of Nevada permit conditions
- Monitor transient events such as seismically induced fluctuations and precipitation-related phenomena
- Support long term monitoring and trend analysis
- Support proposed repository licensing application

Precipitation Monitoring At Yucca Mountain, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Amanda Brandt

Publications (YM)

Objectives: Status of the Task to Date
Network Overview/ Equipment
Data Trends
Uses and Collaborative Projects
Spatial Interpolation of YM Rainfall
Storm Event Analysis
Shallow Groundwater Response to Rainfall
UE29a1 Water Level Response to Barometric Pressure Fluctuation

Yucca Mountain Saturated Zone Carbon-14, James Thomas, David L. Decker, Todd M. Mihevc, Ronald L. Hershey, Gary Patterson, Zell Peterman, Peter Striffler

Publications (YM)

Travel time of groundwater from beneath Yucca Mountain to down gradient areas is important to nuclear waste storage.
For this study, travel times determined by:
1) Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) isotopes Geochemical modeling--corrected C-14 ages
2) Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) isotopes DOC ages independent of DIC reactions

Geostatistical And Stochastic Study Of Radio Nuclide Transport In The Unsaturated Zone At Yucca Mountain, Ming Ye, Amy J. Smiecinski, Raymond E. Keeler

Publications (YM)

The U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board [Cohon et al. 1998] evaluated the technical and scientific validity of activities undertaken by the Secretary of Energy to characterize Yucca Mountain, Nevada, for its suitability as an underground repository in which to store high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. In the report, the Board pinpointed that the study on groundwater flow and radionuclide transport in the saturated and unsaturated zones below Yucca Mountain should, over the next several years, focus on reducing prediction uncertainty. In its 2002, the Board repeated this concern by stating, “… hydrogeologic processes that affect radionuclide transport …

Results Of Chemical Analyses For Alcove 8/ Niche 3 Tracer Studies, Jeanette Daniels, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

This is the final report detailing the analyses performed under ORD-FY04-011 "Chemical Analyses for Alcove 8/Niche 3 Tracer Studies," The work was performed under The University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) and the Department of Energy (DOE) Cooperative Agreement DE-FC28-04RW12232, This task provided method development and analytical support for the Alcove 8/Niche 3 Tracer Studies in the Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF). Concentrations of tracers as well as major anions and cations were reported for samples provided by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and the US Geological Survey (USGS). Samples were analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and …

Determining The Redox Properties Of Yucca Mountain-Related Groundwater Using Trace Element Speciation For Predicting The Mobility Of Nuclear Waste, James Cizdziel, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

The objective of this task is to determine the principal oxidation state (redox) species of select elements in samples of groundwater in the vicinity of Yucca Mountain (YM), which is being evaluated as a site for geologic storage of the nation’s spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste. Samples to be analyzed include, but are not limited to, groundwater from wells of the Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program. Elements to be studied include arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V), tungsten (W), rhenium (Re), and uranium (U). The …

Yucca Mountain Saturated Zone Carbon-14, James Thomas, Drew Coleman, Raymond E. Keeler, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

This Scientific Investigation Plan (SIP) provides an overview of the work described in “Yucca Mountain Saturated Zone Carbon-14”, a proposal funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Repository Development under the UCCSN/YMP Co-op in support of the Science and Technology Initiatives. The objective of this work is to provide improved estimates of the time required for ground water to travel from the site of the proposed high-level radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, to the accessible environment.

Chemical Analyses In Support Of Yucca Mountain Studies, Jeanette Daniels, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Drew Coleman, Amy J. Smiecinski, Raymond E. Keeler

Publications (YM)

The objective of this task “Chemical Analyses in Support of Yucca Mountain Studies” is to provide the Department of Energy (DOE) with data and reports from comprehensive chemical analyses of waters sampled from the wells of the Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program (NCEWDP), the Inyo County’s Drilling Program, and the Nye county Tracer Test. In addition, this task will be used to provide other laboratory support needs as they arise within the Yucca Mountain Project. This support is provided by the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies (HRC) at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), which is part of …

Groundwater Flow And Thermal Modeling To Support A Preferred Conceptual Model For The Large Hydraulic Gradient North Of Yucca Mountain, Phil Oberlander, Greg Pohll, Drew Coleman, Raymond E. Keeler, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

This task will create a two-dimensional, saturated zone, vertical cross-section model of groundwater flow and thermal transport through the large hydraulic gradient (LHG). This model is referenced herein as the thermal model. The scope of this study is limited to presenting a postulated hydrogeologic configuration of the LHG. The conceptualization will include the use of postulated hydrogeologic structures and material properties. The thermal model will be spatially limited to the area immediately upgradient and downgradient of the LHG and will not reproduce the many hydrogeologic features of the existing regional and site-scale models. The thermal model will be orientated north …

Chemical Analyses For Alcove 8/Niche 3 Tracer Studies, Jeanette Daniels, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Drew Coleman, Don Baepler, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

The objective of this task “Analytical Support For Tracer Studies in Alcove 8 / Niche 3” is to provide chemical analyses for the tracer studies at Alcove 8 / Niche 3 in the Exploratory Studies Facilities (ESF). This analytical support includes developing procedures for measuring tracer concentrations and then performing the tracer (and other background constituent) analyses for the water samples generated from each Alcove 8 / Niche 3 tracer test. These tracer tests are part of the Flow and Seepage Testing in Alcove 8/Niche 3 (TWP-NBS-HS-000004 REV 00). The overall goal of this study is to quantify large scale …

Ground Water Level Measurements In Selected Boreholes Near The Site Of The Proposed Repository, H. Scott Page, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Drew Coleman, Don Baepler, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

The objective of this task is to provide ground water level measurements of known accuracy and precision using manual and electronic methods. The HRC will use field-proven protocols and established implementing procedures for all aspects of data collection, analysis, management, and reporting. The water level measurements produced by this program will yield quality-assured data that can be reliably used for a variety of purposes including: continued site characterization, refinement of the local potentiometric surface, inputs to the Death Valley Regional Flow Model and related hydrologic characterization, to fulfill permit conditions issued by the State of Nevada, to monitor seismically-induced ground …

Yucca Mountain Climate Technical Support Representative, Saxon E. Sharpe, Dick Reinhardt, Eric Smistad, Don Baepler, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

The principal investigator (PI), Saxon Sharpe, for Task ORD-FY04-012, DOE Cooperative Agreement DE-FC28-04RW12232, will serve as Yucca Mountain Climate Technical Support Representative for the Department of Energy (DOE) in a series of activities related to past, present, and future climate for the Yucca Mountain Project (YMP) climate program.

As stated in the Viability Assessment of a Repository at Yucca Mountain: “Climate and its changes over time directly affect system performance at Yucca Mountain.” Currently, information from climate studies is used in models that support the Total System Performance Assessment and Licensing Application. It is a model component of all key …

Support For The Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program, Irene Farnham, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

This final report details the activities completed for Task 8 of the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) Cooperative Agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE). Task 8, titled "Support for the Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program" provided for a variety of hydrochemical analyses. The requirements of the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) Quality Assurance (QA) Program were followed for all work performed on this task. The primary activity performed by the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies (HRC) for Task 8 was to provide hydrochemical analyses of the groundwater samples collected from …

Redox Scale For Assigning An Oxidizing/Reducing Potential To Groundwater: Method Development And Initial Results, Julie Bertoia, Vernon Hodge, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

This report outlines the progress on Task 33 of the Department of Energy's Yucca Mountain Cooperative Agreement with the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN). The task is titled "The Experimental Determination of a "Redox Scale" for Assigning an Oxidizing/Reducing Potential to Groundwater from Wells in the Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program: A Scale for Predicting the Solubility and Mobility of Elements Commonly Found in Nuclear Wastes". The purpose of the research was to determine the concentrations of the various electrochemical oxidation states or redox species of eleven elements in groundwater samples collected from the Nye County …

Task 10: Support To The Regional Model, Irene Farnham

Publications (YM)

The Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies (HRC) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has analyzed approximately 200 groundwater samples for over 60 trace elements and major solutes over the past ten years. These samples represent groundwaters from the Nevada Test Site, Amargosa Valley, the Spring Mountains, Death Valley, Ash Meadows, Pahranagat Valley, and Oasis Valley. The preparation of a data base containing all of these data is near completion and will be submitted to DOE upon its completion. Data verification is in progress. In addition, many multivariate analyses were performed to characterize the trace element compositions in …

Chemical Analyses For Alcove 8 Niche 3 Tracer Studies, Irene Farnham, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

This report details the activities performed under Task 35 of the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) Cooperative Agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE). Task 35, titled "Chemical Analyses for Alcove 8 / Niche 3 Tracer Studies", provided for the development of analytical procedures and the analysis of samples from the first phase of tracer testing at Alcove 8 / Niche 3 in the Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF). Two conservative tracers (bromide and pentafluorobenzoic acid) and three FD&C dye tracers (FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Yellow #5, and FD&C Red #40) were analyzed in the seepage samples …

Ground Water Level Measurements In Selected Boreholes Near The Site Of The Proposed Repository, H. Scott Page, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

Analysis of twenty years of ground water level monitoring data by the Department of Energy on the boreholes comprising the periodic network near Yucca Mountain indicate that overall, such levels have been remarkably stable. Continuing this program of longterm monitoring, the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas (HRC) has acquired quarterly data on water levels from the same network between July 2001 and June 2003. Analysis of selected 2002 quarterly ground water level data collected by the HRC using manual and electronic techniques on boreholes in the volcanic flow system aquifer appears …

Isolation And Characterization Of Thermophilic, Calcium-Precipitating Bacteria Form Calcite Deposits At Yucca Mountain, Terry Ann Else, Curtis R. Pantle, Penny S. Amy, Mark P. Buttner, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

Calcite deposits, composed of a mixture of calcium carbonate and silicon dioxide, were found in fractures and small cavities within the welded tuff of Yucca Mountain. This research investigation involves determining the presence of thermophilic, calciumprecipitating bacteria within these deposits. The possible existence of thermophilic bacteria may help to resolve the issue of whether these calcite deposits formed from precipitation of dissolved calcium carbonate in rain water transported from the overlying soil environment or as a result of upwelling of geothermally-heated waters transported from below the mountain. Evidence for microbially-influenced calcite precipitation in these deposits is indicated by the presence …

Organization Of The Devils Hole Workshop, Irene Farnham

Publications (YM)

The Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies (HRC) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) was tasked to organize the Devils Hole Workshop in Furnace Creek Death Valley, CA on May 21 – 23, 2003. This Conference is designed to report current research results and to bring the scientific community, as well as the general public, up to date on research relevant to the Death Valley Regional Flow System (DVRFS). The Devils Hole Workshop is beneficial to the DOE because it provides the opportunity to DOE technical task leaders and Bechtel SAIC (BSC) representatives to present the research currently …

Semi-Analytical Stochastic Study Of Radionuclide Transport In The Saturated Zone Below Yucca Mountain, Xiaolong Hu, Craig Shirley, Jichun Wu, Hai Huang

Publications (YM)

The objective of this study is to predict radionuclide solute transport process in the saturated zone below the Yucca Mountain project area. Based on a stochastic perturbation approach, a numerical method of moments has been developed and used to predict the mean, variance and upper bound of the radionuclide mass flux through a control plane 5-km downstream of the footprint of the repository. This study enhances the analysis of the effect of medium’s heterogeneity on solute transport prediction, especially on prediction uncertainty.

Preliminary Geochemical Evaluation Of Groundwaters From Wells Of The Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program, Irene Farnham, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

As part of the Yucca Mountain Oversight program, the Nye County Nuclear Waste Repository Project Office (NWRPO) has established a groundwater monitoring program to protect groundwater resources for the residents of Nye County in Amargosa and Pahrump Valleys. This groundwater monitoring program, referred to as the Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program (NCEWDP), involves drilling a series of wells down-gradient from Yucca Mountain for long term groundwater monitoring and also to provide much needed geologic and hydrologic information in this area. A comprehensive database of aquifer parameters in the alluvial, volcanic, and carbonate aquifers down-gradient hydrogeologically of Yucca Mountain is …

Support For Infiltration And Seepage Studies In Exploratory Studies Facility Niches And Alcoves, Irene Farnham, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

This report details the analyses performed under Task 9 of the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) Cooperative Agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE). This task, titled "Analysis of Chemical Tracers in Conjunction with the Vadose Zone Infiltration and Seepage Studies", provided for the development of analytical procedures and the analysis of samples from a tracer test currently in progress at Alcove 8 /Niche 3 in the Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF). The concentration of two tracers (bromide andpentafluorobenzoic acid) were quantified in the initial injectate solution and also the seepage samples collected from Niche 3. Samples …

Thermochronological Evolution Of Calcite Formation At The Proposed Yucca Mountain Repository Site, Nevada: Part 1, Secondary Mineral Paragenesis And Geochemistry, Jean S. Cline, Amy J. Smiecinski, Robert Bodnar

Publications (YM)

In the near future a decision will be made as to whether or not Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada is a suitable site for a permanent, underground, high level nuclear waste repository. A major factor in determining the suitability of Yucca Mountain as a repository is the potential for the site to be flooded by water during the regulatory lifetime. The current study was undertaken to examine the past fluid history at the site, to gain a better understanding of the possibility of flooding in the near geologic future. To estimate the past fluid flux into …