Strontium Isotopes in Carbonate Deposits at Crater Flat, Nevada

by B. D. Marshall, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, United States,
K. Futa, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, United States,
Z. E. Peterman, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, United States,
J. S. Stuckless, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1991

Abstract:

Strontium isotope studies of carbonates from soils, veins, eolian dust and Paleozoic basement sampled near Crater Flat, southwest of Yucca Mountain, provide evidence for the origins of these materials. Vein and soil carbonates have nearly identical ranges of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, and eolian material has ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios at the lower end of the pedogenic range. The average ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of Paleozoic basement from Black Marble Hill is similar to the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in the eolian dust, perhaps indicating a local source for this material. Possible spring deposits have generally higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr than the other carbonates. These data are compared with similar data from areas east of Yucca Mountain.

Subject Headings: Radioactive wastes | Carbonation | Waste disposal | Hydrologic data | Dust | Basements | Site investigation | Nevada | United States

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