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Thermodynamic Interpretations of Chemical Analyses of Unsaturated Zone Water From Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

Lauren Browning
Affiliation:
Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78238USA
William M. Murphy
Affiliation:
Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78238USA
Bret W. Leslie
Affiliation:
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555
Wiliam L. Dam
Affiliation:
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555
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Abstract

Analytical pore water compositions from Yucca Mountain were evaluated for internal thermodynamic consistency. Significant ionic charge imbalances, unequilibrated aqueous speciation relationships, and erratic variability with depth in some species concentrations were found. Thermodynamic consistency was restored by introducing measured CO2 gas pressure as a constraint, imposing equilibrium aqueous speciation, and adjusting pH to achieve charge balance. Reinterpreted water chemistry data were used to evaluate and interpret vertical and lateral variations in water chemistry, differences between unsaturated zone pore and perched water compositions, and water-rock equilibria.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2000

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