Groundwater Flow Patterns and Chemical Evolution in the Yucca Mountain Area as Inferred from Groundwater Geochemical and Isotopic Data
Abstract
Groundwater flow patterns and chemical evolution in the Yucca Mountain area were inferred using groundwater geochemical and isotopic data taken from several databases available for the region. The interpreted flow patterns are based on areal distributions and cross-correlations of relatively nonreactive chemical (Cl and SO4) and isotopic (δ 18O, δ 2H, δ 34S) species, as well as on inverse groundwater mixing and water/rock reaction models simulated with the USGS geochemical code PHREEQC that considered the evolution of reactive species. The use of multiple chemical and isotopic species within a general modeling framework that considers both mixing and water/rock interactions provides a better understanding of groundwater compositional variations for the Yucca Mountain area than has previously been available. The PHREEQC groundwater mixing and reaction models were also used to understand carbon isotope evolution along the flow paths and provide more confidence in calculations of groundwater velocities using groundwater carbon-14 activities.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003AGUFM.H51C1073K
- Keywords:
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- 1829 Groundwater hydrology;
- 1831 Groundwater quality;
- 1832 Groundwater transport