Radioactive waste isolation in salt: peer review of the Office of Nuclear Waste Isolation's report on the Organic Geochemistry of Deep Groundwaters from the Palo Duro Basin, Texas

Abstract

Basin, Texas," by J.L. Means.* The report describes the organic geochemistry of groundwater samples from the Palo Duro Basin, with analyses and identification of the primary organic constituents. Results from the report are important in assessing radionuciide transport rates in groundwater and Indicating the possible existence and location of petroleum deposits in the Palo Duro Basin. Argonne was asked to consider the appropriateness of the methodology, the conclusions based on data presented, and the adequacy of correlation and integration between geocheeaical interpretation and knowledge of the geologic setting. The Argonne review comments have been provided to the author. These comments, along with other reviews, will greatly aid in the preparation of a revised document of greater clarity and applicability to the program. Jo Ann Sherwin Chief Site Evaluation Salt Repository Project Office *A microfiche copy of the reviewed report is attached to the inside back cover of this report. 35656 FOREWORD Documents are being submitted to the Salt Repository Project Office (SRPO) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by Battelle Memorial Institute's Office of Nuclear Waste Isolation (ONWI) to satisfy milestones of the Salt Repository Project of the Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Program. Some of these documents are being reviewed by multidisciplinary groups of peers to ensure DOE of their adequacy and credibility. Adequacy of documents refers to their ability to meet specified legal or regulatory requirements. Credibility of documents refers to the validity of the assumptions, methods, and conclusions, as well as to the completeness of coverage. Since late 1982, Argonne National Laboratory has been under contract to DOE to conduct multidisciplinary peer reviews of program plans and reports covering research and development activities related to siting and constructing a mined repository in salt for high-level radioactive waste. This report summarizes Argonne's review of ONWI's final report entitled The Organic Geochemistry of Deep Ground Waters from the Palo Duro Basin? Texas, dated September 1983. Argonne was requested to review this report on October 27, 1983 (see App. A). The review procedure involved obtaining written comments on the report from two extramural and four Argonne experts in relevant research areas. The peer review panel met at Argonne on November 10, 1983, and reviewer comments were integrated into this report by the review session chairman, with the assistance of Argonne's core peer review staff. All of the peer review panelists concurred in the way in which their comments were represented in this report (see App. B). A draft of this report was sent to SRPO on November 18, 1983.