The deep hydrogeologic flow system underlying the Oak Ridge Reservation

Abstract

The authors are very grateful to the many people who made this work possible. The many efforts of Kip Solomon and RaNaye Dreier facilitated the work of this project. Kip • Solomon and Norman Farrow designed the packer/pressure transducer assembly that allowed us to monitor pressure variations in the deep wells with high resolution. Scott Gregory assisted with setting the pressure transducers and with data logging and de,',nloading. Bob Kennard and Kim Davis helped in the logging of the deep wells. Andy Hunt assisted with setting the packers. Kip Solomon and Andy Hunt designed the purging system of the deep wells. Tom Zondlo and Scott Gregory prepared Figs. 1 and 7, respectively. RaNaye Dreier,

Site characterization summary report for Waste Area Grouping 10 Wells at the Old Hydrofracture Facility, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

“…Saline water at about 57,000 mg/L was measured in the bottom sample. TDS values are again significantly lower than in the DM series wells completed in the Pumpkin Valley Shale (=250,000 ppm) and lower than in other deep wells [DMl and DM2, 91,000 and 130,000 ppm, respectively (Nativ and Hunley 1993)], suggesting dilution of borehole water with lower-TDS-content injection fluids (e5000 ppm, Switek, Haase, and Stow 1987) or mixing with lower TDS waters. Nitrate was detected at about 7800 mg/L in the bottom sample, indicating mixing with grout-related waste solutions.…”

“…The major ion proportions determined for WAG 10 groundwater were compared with those reported in Nativ and Hunley (1993) in an attempt to recognize uncontaminated saline groundwater. The WAG 10 data are presented in Figs.…”

“…DM1 and DM2 at 91,000 and 130,000 ppm, respectively (Nativ and Hunley 1993). This suggests dilution of standing water by the introduction of relatively lower-TDS injection fluids that are typically less than 5000 ppm (Switek, Haase, and Stow 1987) or mixing with lower-TDS natural formation waters.…”

Remedial investigation report on the Melton Valley Watershed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Volume 1: Evaluation, interpretation, and data summary

“…Such features could conceivably carry fresh water to depths extending beneath the top of the brine geochemical zone in discrete, confined locations. Natural groundwater movement apparently does occur in the brine interval (Nativ and Hunley 1993) 2-2 1 at a very slow rate and investigations related to the hydrofracture waste disposal setting document the movement of contaminants by groundwater transport in the brine (DOE 1996b).…”

White Oak Creek Watershed: Melton Valley Area Remedial Investigation Report, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Volume 1 Main Text

“…Natural groundwater movement apparently does occur in the brine interval (Nativ and Hunley 1993) at a very slow rate and investigations related to the hydrofracture waste disposal setting document the movement of contaminants by groundwater transport in the brine (DOE 1996b).…”