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Geochemical Indicators of Groundwater Stability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Adrian Bath  and
Bo Strömberg
Adrian Bath
Affiliation:
Intellisci Ltd, Loughborough LE12 6SZ, U.K.abath@intellisci.co.uk
Bo Strömberg
Affiliation:
Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate (SKI), Stockholm S-10658, Sweden. bo.stromberg@ski.se
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Abstract

The interpretation of geochemical and isotopic data as indicators of past hydrodynamic stability of groundwaters in fractured rock is discussed. Knowledge of the conditions and timing of past groundwater stability supports scenarios for safety assessments. Stratification of water masses according to densities is an important factor affecting stability. Chloride variations and concentration gradients are therefore diagnostic of mixing and the duration of stable conditions. Further evidence of timescales is provided by carbon-14 and tritium data although sampling difficulties and other uncertainties may allow only qualitative interpretations. Data from Äspö and other Swedish sites, Sellafield (UK) and Olkiluoto (Finland) are used to illustrate the approach. The palaeohydrogeology of such sites has been strongly influenced by distributions of saline waters. Scenarios for groundwater stability should consider these as well as glacial melt waters.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 807: Symposium Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXVII , 2003 , 773
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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