Document Type

Technical Report

Publication Date

7-16-2002

Abstract

This report details the analyses performed under Task 9 of the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) Cooperative Agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE). This task, titled "Analysis of Chemical Tracers in Conjunction with the Vadose Zone Infiltration and Seepage Studies", provided for the development of analytical procedures and the analysis of samples from a tracer test currently in progress at Alcove 8 /Niche 3 in the Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF). The concentration of two tracers (bromide andpentafluorobenzoic acid) were quantified in the initial injectate solution and also the seepage samples collected from Niche 3. Samples were collected and transported to the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies (HRC) by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories (LBNL) and US Geological Survey (USGS) researchers. Samples were then analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) forpentafluorobenzoic acid (PFBA) and ion chromatography for bromide. Implementing procedures (IPLVs), written and approved in accordance with the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) - approved UCCSN Quality Assurance Program, were followed for sample control, sample analysis, and data reporting. Four samples reflecting the concentrations of the tracers in the initial injectate solution were analyzed. In these samples, the concentrations ranged from 485 - 492 ppm (mg/L) and 22.0 - 25.9 ppm (mg/L) for bromide and PFBA, respectively. A total of 154 samples from Niche 3 were analyzed for bromide. The concentration of bromide in these samples ranged from 19 - 142 ppm. Twenty five of these samples were analyzed in duplicate. The percent difference between duplicates ranged from 0.1 % - 5% and the average was 0.8%. A total of 558 samples collected from Niche 3 were analyzed for PFBA. The concentration of PFBA ranged from <0.020- 5.51 ppm. Sixty one of these samples were analyzed in triplicate. The percent relative standard deviations (%RSD) between triplicate measurements ranged from 0.04% - 5%; the average %RSD was 1%.

Keywords

Groundwater flow; Groundwater tracers; Nevada – Yucca Mountain; Seepage; Underground areas

Disciplines

Earth Sciences | Geochemistry | Hydrology

Language

English

Comments

Cooperative Agreement DE-FC08-98NV12081
TR-02-006
Rev. 0
Signatures have been redacted for privacy and security measures.

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