Solute Transport Characteristics of Fractured Dolomite in Southern Nevada, USA

by Darrell I. Leap, Purdue Univ, West Lafayette, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1993

Abstract:

Recirculating tracer tests in fractured Cambrian dolomite beneath the Amargosa Desert revealed (1) and 83-percent increased in apparent dispersivity resulting from a two-percent increase in pore pressure; and (2) in lower-permeability fractures, a decrease in apparent relative retardation of bromide with respect to tritium of 19 percent from that in higher-permeability fractures. Investigators should carefully consider pore-pressure effects when planning and interpreting tracer/hydraulic tests. Rising water tables, due to possible future increases in precipitation and recharge, may increase pore pressure in fractured rocks enough to drastically increase dispersion; this point should be taken into account when modeling long-term solute transport in such systems.

Subject Headings: Rock mechanics | Cracking | Transport phenomena | Pore pressure | Water supply systems | Hydraulic fracturing | Fluid flow | United States | Nevada

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