Testing and parameterizing a conceptual solute transport model in saturated fractured tuff using sorbing and nonsorbing tracers in cross-hole tracer tests

Reimus, Paul W.; Haga, Marc J.; Adams, A.; Callahan, Timothy J.; Turin, H.; Counce, D.

doi:10.1016/s0169-7722(02)00185-7

Cited by 37 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…To investigate the processes of radionuclide transport-such as matrix diffusion, dispersion, sorption and colloidal transport-hydraulic and tracer tests were conducted in the SZ (BSC, 2003, Section 1.2; Reimus et al, 2003). At Yucca Mountain, the effects of advection, matrix diffusion, dispersion, and sorption processes were investigated in fractured and porous media (i.e., alluvium).…”

Section: Transport Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feature Detection, Characterization and Confirmation Methodology: Final Report

Karasaki¹,

Apps²,

Doughty³

et al. 2007

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Executive SummaryThis is the final report of the NUMO-LBNL collaborative project: Feature Detection, Characterization and Confirmation Methodology under NUMO-DOE/LBNL collaboration agreement, the task description of which can be found in the Appendix.We examine site characterization projects from several sites in the world. The list includes Yucca Mountain in the USA, Tono and Horonobe in Japan, AECL in Canada, sites in Sweden, and Olkiluoto in Finland. We identify important geologic features and parameters common to most (or all) sites to provide useful information for future repository siting activity. At first glance, one could question whether there was any commonality among the sites, which are in different rock types at different locations. For example, the planned Yucca Mountain site is a dry repository in unsaturated tuff, whereas the Swedish sites are situated in saturated granite. However, the study concludes that indeed there are a number of important common features and parameters among all the sites-namely, (1) fault properties, (2) fracture-matrix interaction (3) groundwater flux, (4) boundary conditions, and (5) the permeability and porosity of the materials.We list the lessons learned from the Yucca Mountain Project and other site characterization programs. Most programs have by and large been quite successful. Nonetheless, there are definitely "should-haves" and "could-haves," or lessons to be learned, in all these programs. Although each site characterization program has some unique aspects, we believe that these crosscutting lessons can be very useful for future site investigations to be conducted in Japan. One of the most common lessons learned is that a repository program should allow for flexibility, in both schedule and approach.We examine field investigation technologies used to collect site characterization data in the field. An extensive list of existing field technologies is presented, with some discussion on usage and limitations. Many of the technologies on the list were in fact used during the characterization of Yucca Mountain and elsewhere by LBNL personnel. The study also includes emerging technologies and identifies the need to develop better estimation of important parameters for repository siting. Notable emerging technologies include 3-D seismic and satellite-based remote sensing and wireless micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors. They enable cost-effective and ubiquitous monitoring to be applied for site characterization.We list and classify the types of uncertainties involved in site characterization. Uncertainties can exist in all aspects of site characterization: data, interpretation, conceptualization, and modeling. We use the Swedish program to exemplify such uncertainties. We also devote a chapter on geochemical issues regarding the interaction between groundwater and natural and engineered barrier materials. A recommendation has been made to take advantage of the recent advancement in geochemical modeling capabilities in natural systems. Although it is not o...

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Section: Transport Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feature Detection, Characterization and Confirmation Methodology: Final Report

Karasaki¹,

Apps²,

Doughty³

et al. 2007

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“…This study differs from previous studies in that it involved multiple tracer transport and therefore allowed for a direct demonstration of the importance of matrix diffusion through unsaturated fractured rock. Compared with saturated systems [e.g., Neretnieks, 1980Neretnieks, , 2002Moreno et al, 1997;Jardine et al, 1999;Shapiro, 2001;Reimus et al, 2003], the effects of matrix diffusion in unsaturated systems are more complex, owing to the multiphase flow processes involved and the corresponding fracture-matrix interaction mechanisms.…”

Section: Matrix Diffusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, while several field studies have investigated matrix diffusion processes in saturated fractured rock [e.g., Albelin et al, 1991;Novakowski and Lapcevic, 1994;Hadermann and Heer, 1996;Jardine et al, 1999;Callahan et al, 2000;Shapiro, 2001;Reimus et al, 2003], very few field studies have investigated these processes in unsaturated fractured rock environments [e.g., Hu et al, 2001].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unsaturated flow and transport through a fault embedded in fractured welded tuff

Salve

Liu

Cook

et al. 2004

Water Resources Research

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[1] To evaluate the importance of matrix diffusion as a mechanism for retarding radionuclide transport in the vicinity of a fault located in unsaturated fractured rock, we carried out an in situ field experiment in the Exploratory Studies Facility at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. This experiment involved the release of $82,000 L of water over a period of 17 months directly into a near-vertical fault under both constant positive head (at $0.04 m) and decreasing fluxes. A mix of conservative tracers (pentafluorobenzoic acid (PFBA) and bromide (applied in the form of lithium bromide)) was released along the fault over a period of 9 days, 7 months after the start of water release along the fault. As water was released into the fault, seepage rates were monitored in a large cavity excavated below the test bed. After the release of tracers, seepage water was continuously collected from three locations and analyzed for the injected tracers. Observations of bromide concentrations in seepage water during the early stages of the experiment and bromide and PFBA concentrations in the seepage water indicate the significant effects of matrix diffusion on transport through a fault embedded in fractured, welded rock.

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“…This approach is especially suited to fractured systems where groundwater may have strongly preferential pathways which can lead to vulnerability being very delineated over a watershed [20,[29][30][31][32]. Furthermore, in contrast to pumping tests or rock texture evaluations, the analysis of the resulting breakthrough curves may provide an estimation of the above-mentioned hydrodispersive parameters along specific pathways and at the extended scale of several thousands of meters [33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, in contrast to pumping tests or rock texture evaluations, the analysis of the resulting breakthrough curves may provide an estimation of the above-mentioned hydrodispersive parameters along specific pathways and at the extended scale of several thousands of meters [33]. It could also allow the evaluation of double porosity in fractured systems-where water and chemicals are affected byboth fracture flow and matrix diffusion-and what is required when addressing contaminant problems within heterogeneous rocks [29,32]. The majority of the literature has consistently focused on fractured crystalline and karstic aquifers by accounting for this dual porosity model [e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contaminant transfer and hydrodispersiveparameters in basaltic lava flows: artificial tracertest and implications for long-term management

et al. 2015

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Abstract:The aim of this paper is to evaluate the vulnerability after point source contamination and characterize water circulations in volcanic flows located in the Argnat basin volcanic system (Chaîne des Puys, French Massif Central) using a tracer test performed by injecting a iodide solution. The analysis of breakthrough curves allowed the hydrodispersive characteristics of the massive lava flows to be determined. Large Peclet numbers indicated a dominant advective transport. The multimodal feature of breakthrough curves combined with high values of mean velocity and low longitudinal dispersion coefficients indicated that water flows in an environment analogous to a fissure system, and only slightly interacts with a low porosity matrix (ne < 1%). Combining this information with lava flow stratigraphy provided by several drillings allowed a conceptual scheme of potential contaminant behaviour to be designed. Although lava flows are vulnerable to point source pollution due to the rapid transfer of water within fractures, the saturated scoriaceous layers located between massive rocks should suffice to strongly buffer the transit of pollution through dilution and longer transit times. This was consistent with the low recovery rate of the presented tracer test.

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Testing and parameterizing a conceptual solute transport model in saturated fractured tuff using sorbing and nonsorbing tracers in cross-hole tracer tests

Cited by 37 publications

References 25 publications

Feature Detection, Characterization and Confirmation Methodology: Final Report

Feature Detection, Characterization and Confirmation Methodology: Final Report

Unsaturated flow and transport through a fault embedded in fractured welded tuff

Contaminant transfer and hydrodispersiveparameters in basaltic lava flows: artificial tracertest and implications for long-term management

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