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The Geochemistry of the Castile Brines: Implications for their Origin and Impact on the Wipp Site(1)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

W. E. Coons ,
D. Meyer ,
R. L. Olsen  and
J. K. Register
W. E. Coons
Affiliation:
D'Appolonia Consulting Engineers, 2340 Alamo S.E., Suite 306, Albuquerque, NM 87106.
D. Meyer
Affiliation:
D'Appolonia Consulting Engineers, 2340 Alamo S.E., Suite 306, Albuquerque, NM 87106.
R. L. Olsen
Affiliation:
D'Appolonia Consulting Engineers, 2340 Alamo S.E., Suite 306, Albuquerque, NM 87106.
J. K. Register
Affiliation:
D'Appolonia Consulting Engineers, 2340 Alamo S.E., Suite 306, Albuquerque, NM 87106.
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Abstract

Pressurized brine reservoirs have been found in the Castile anhydrite which underlies the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. The major and minor component chemistry of the brines and the isotopic abundances of the brines and coexisting minerals have been determined and evaluated. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that the brines approach saturation with all major minerals in their host horizon. The brines therefore, appear to be in equilibrium with their geologic environment and do not have the capacity for substantially degrading the integrity of the site. When analyzed through solute versus bromide plots, the data indicate that the most likely origin for the brines is Permian seawater. As a result, the reservoirs appear to have been derived from waters no longer being introduced into the rock (i.e., they have a finite source).

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 26: Symposium D – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management VII , 1983 , 49
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1984

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References

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