Document Type

Technical Report

Publication Date

11-10-2003

Abstract

This final report details the activities completed for Task 8 of the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) Cooperative Agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE). Task 8, titled "Support for the Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program" provided for a variety of hydrochemical analyses. The requirements of the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) Quality Assurance (QA) Program were followed for all work performed on this task. The primary activity performed by the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies (HRC) for Task 8 was to provide hydrochemical analyses of the groundwater samples collected from the wells of the Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program (NCEWDP). The HRC collected a total of 41 samples over the period of May 1999 through May 2000. These samples were analyzed for major ions, trace elements, and the oxidation states of arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and selenium (Se). Geochemical evaluation of these samples is described in the report titled "Preliminary Geochemical Evaluation of Groundwaters from Wells of the Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program" which was submitted to the US DOE in September 2002. Following this time, another 41 samples were collected from additional wells of the NCEWDP and analyzed for major ions and trace elements. Analysis of oxidation states was continued under Task 33, "Redox Scale for Assigning an Oxidizing/Reducing Potential to Groundwater." All resulting data are included in the appendices of this report. The HRC also provided support to the tracer testing at the Alluvial Tracer Complex (ATC). A series of four single well injection withdrawal tracer tests took place from November 2000 through March 2002. The HRC was responsible for assisting in tracer selection, preparing the high concentration injectate solution, and analyzing all samples collected during the test for the tracers. Two tracers (a fluorinated benzoic acid and a halide) were used for each of the tests with the exception of the fourth test. Only a fluorinated benzoic acid was used for the final tracer test. Approximately 3000 samples were analyzed for the ATC tests. Breakthrough curves for each test are presented. Task 8 also included participation by the HRC in planning cross-hole tracer testing at the ATC as well as atNC-EWDP-22S. The HRC participated in the selection of tracers (and masses of the tracers) and in providing documentation and research necessary for obtaining the tracer permits. Method development work was performed to provide for the simultaneous analysis of the selected tracers. During the final year of Task 8, the hydrochemical analyses were expanded to include support to Inyo County. Samples were collected from four springs within Death Valley National Park. Samples were collected and field measurements were performed by the HRC and/or the National Park Service (NPS). Field measurements included pH, conductivity, and alkalinity. Samples were analyzed by the HRC in the laboratory for major anions (Cl~, F", Br", SO42", and NO3") and cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+). A NPS employee was trained to the UCCSN cooperative agreement QA Program for the purpose of conducting field work. In addition, groundwater samples were collected by the HRC from three wells, Travertine #2, Sarcobatus Flat #1, and Sarcobatus Flat #2. These samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity, alkalinity, major anions, and major cations. All resulting data are included in an appendix to this report.

Keywords

California – Inyo County; Geochemistry; Groundwater – Monitoring; Monitoring wells; Nevada – Nye County; Nevada – Yucca Mountain; Oxidation-reduction reaction; United States – Death Valley; Water chemistry; Water quality; Water – Composition

Disciplines

Analytical Chemistry | Earth Sciences | Environmental Chemistry | Geochemistry | Hydrology

Language

English

Comments

TR-03-011
Rev. 0
TASK 8
Signatures have been redacted for privacy and security measures.

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