U and Sr isotopes in ground water and calcite, Yucca Mountain, Nevada; evidence against upwelling water
Stuckless JS, Peterman ZE, Muhs DR. 1991. U and Sr isotopes in ground water and calcite, Yucca Mountain, Nevada; evidence against upwelling water. Science. 254(5031):551-554
Hydrogenic calcite and opaline silica deposits in fault zones at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, have created considerable public and scientific controversy because of the possible development of a high-level nuclear waste repository at this location. Strontium and uranium isotopic compositions of hydrogenic materials were used to test whether the veins could have formed by upwelling of deep-seated waters. The vein depsotis are isotopically distinct from ground water in the two aquifers that underlie Yucca Mountain, indicating that the calcite could not have precipitated from gound water. The data are consistent with a surficial origin for the hydrogenic deposits.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Stuckless, J; Peterman, Zell; Muhs, D
- Units
- DEVA
- Keywords
- actinides, alkaline earth metals, Aquifers, Calcite, Carbonates, Chemical Composition, Fractures, Geochemistry, Geologic Hazards, Geology, Ground Water, high level waste, histograms, Hydrochemistry, Isotopes, Metals, Minerals, Nevada, Nevada Test Site, Nye County Nevada, Radioactive Isotopes, radioactive tracers, Radioactive Waste, Site Exploration, Sketch Map, south central Nevada, Sr 86, Sr 87, Stable Isotopes, Statistical Analysis, Strontium, Tracers, trenching, u 234, u 238, Uranium, veins, Waste Disposal, Western U.S., Yucca Mountain