Geostatistical Realizations of WMA-C Lithofacies

2005

This report describes modelling procedures and data treatment standards for the Integrated 3D Geoscientific Deposit Modelling Project funded by Discover Abitibi Initiative. The models were produced to stimulate exploration and improve interpretation of structural and stratigraphic relationships in the Greenstone Architecture project. The goals of the project were 1) to provide three-dimensional (3D) models of 18 lode gold deposits and 2 volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in the Ontario portion of the Abitibi greenstone belt; 2) to integrate the models with the surface geology; and 3) to review the resulting models for completeness and accuracy with the deposit owners and/or data donors. The project received donations of 9 existing models from mine operators and produced 11 new models from mine plans and sections provided by property owners for a total of twenty 3D models. Benefits to the mining industry include stimulation of exploration through 3D visualization of relationships at both a property and a regional scale.

1993

Portions of this document may be illegible in electronic image products. Images are produced from the best available original document. Summary This report provides an update on the development of a three-dimensional conceptual model of groundwater flow in the unconfined aquifer system for the Hanford Site. The conceptual model will provide a basis for three-dimensional numerical modeling and will enable better understanding and more accurate predictions of contaminant transport under changing site conditions. The area included in the conceptual model has been extended to include the entire Hanford Site south and west of the Columbia River, and the area south of the Hanford Site to the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia rivers. The conceptual model within the earlier study area, south of Gable Mountain to the 300 Area, was also relined and updated. Geologic descriptions of samples from selected wells were interpreted to determine the extent and thickness of hydrogeologic units within the unconfined aquifer system. Nine hydrologically significant units were previously defined above the underlying basalt. These units have been extended into the expanded model area and refined within the previously defined area. Delinition of the units is based on textural differences that are expected to reflect differences in hydraulic properties. The geologic data have been entered into a geographical information system. Maps showing the extent of each unit are presented. Additional hydraulic property data were obtained by conducting aquifer tests at six wells. These and other available data were used to develop a new transmissivity distribution for the model area that is being applied in inverse calibration of the existing two-dimensional numerical flow model. A single value of hydraulic conductivity was assigned for mud-dominated units within the flow system. This was based on a few test results for the Hanfbrd Site and representative values presented in the literature. Additional geologic and water-level information was collected to help define the flow system boundary corresponding to the Yakima River. The lower reach of the river appears to have poor hydraulic communication with the unconfined aquifer. The range of possible recharge from Cold Creek and Dry Creek valleys also needs to be better defined. An aquifer test was conducted at well 699-43-104 and provides an estimate of hydraulic conductivity for the mouth of the Cold Creek Valley. However, the gradient in this area is uncertain. Possible methods of determining interflow between the unconfined and confined aquifer systems are being evaluated. Analysis for tritium and iodine-129 at the reconfigured "Golderl' well 699-18-21 is presented.

1994

Portions of this document may be illegible in electronic image products. Images are produced from the best available original document. Summary This report provides an update on the development of a three-dimensional conceptual model of groundwater flow in the unconfined aquifer system for the Hanford Site. The conceptual model will provide a basis for three-dimensional numerical modeling and will enable better understanding and more accurate predictions of contaminant transport under changing site conditions. The area included in the conceptual model has been extended to include the entire Hanford Site south and west of the Columbia River, and the area south of the Hanford Site to the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia rivers. The conceptual model within the earlier study area, south of Gable Mountain to the 300 Area, was also relined and updated. Geologic descriptions of samples from selected wells were interpreted to determine the extent and thickness of hydrogeologic units within the unconfined aquifer system. Nine hydrologically significant units were previously defined above the underlying basalt. These units have been extended into the expanded model area and refined within the previously defined area. Delinition of the units is based on textural differences that are expected to reflect differences in hydraulic properties. The geologic data have been entered into a geographical information system. Maps showing the extent of each unit are presented. Additional hydraulic property data were obtained by conducting aquifer tests at six wells. These and other available data were used to develop a new transmissivity distribution for the model area that is being applied in inverse calibration of the existing two-dimensional numerical flow model. A single value of hydraulic conductivity was assigned for mud-dominated units within the flow system. This was based on a few test results for the Hanfbrd Site and representative values presented in the literature. Additional geologic and water-level information was collected to help define the flow system boundary corresponding to the Yakima River. The lower reach of the river appears to have poor hydraulic communication with the unconfined aquifer. The range of possible recharge from Cold Creek and Dry Creek valleys also needs to be better defined. An aquifer test was conducted at well 699-43-104 and provides an estimate of hydraulic conductivity for the mouth of the Cold Creek Valley. However, the gradient in this area is uncertain. Possible methods of determining interflow between the unconfined and confined aquifer systems are being evaluated. Analysis for tritium and iodine-129 at the reconfigured "Golderl' well 699-18-21 is presented.

First International Meeting for Applied Geoscience & Energy Expanded Abstracts

Geophysical methods are useful tools for characterizing near-surface stratigraphy and monitoring changes in subsurface properties that control the efficacy of groundwater remediation technologies. Given the sensitivity of geophysical methods to subsurface properties, they are often employed to characterize complex earth systems prior to, during, and after remediation efforts. Several geophysical methods are particularly useful for understanding complex subsurface environments within an environmental remediation framework. For example, reflection seismic and electrical resistivity data can be used to characterize deep bedrock layers as well as complex overburden deposits from cataclysmic ice-age floods present at the site. Stratigraphic information provided by these methods can be reconciled with current geologic framework models to improve the site conceptual model and guide well placement to confirm important hydrogeologic features. Long-term monitoring of remedy performance can also benefit from time-lapse measurements with groundpenetrating radar, electrical resistivity, and electromagnetic induction. Utilizing these tools for both short and long-term monitoring enables a graded monitoring approach and easily scalable data collection depending on site conditions. Timelapse electrical resistivity data can also be used to provide near real-time information on the impacts of hyporheic groundwater exchanges and the efficacy of injected amendments to inform treatability studies, which are important in final remedy decision frameworks. The U.S. Department of Energy has been operating a cleanup mission at the Hanford Superfund Site for over 30 years, utilizing geophysical technologies to support characterization and remediation monitoring of contaminated sites. Multi-modal or multi-physics methods that take advantage of sensitivities across different geophysical methods (e.g. seismic and resistivity) are approaches that may continue to be explored at Hanford. Additionally, research that focuses on how to catalog and integrate geophysical data into site repositories, conceptual models, and predictive models, will provide the technical support needed for use of these data in decision making processes. Paramount to all these efforts is the honest and forward communication of the capability of geophysical methods, including both their limitations and associated uncertainty.

1996

This report has been prepared by the British Geological Survey under contract to NDA. The report has been reviewed by NDA, but the views expressed and conclusions drawn are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of NDA. Conditions of Publication This report is made available under NDA's Transparency Policy. In line with this policy, NDA is seeking to make information on it's activities readily available, and to enable interested parties to have access to and influence on it's future programmes. The report may be freely used for non-commercial purposes. However, all commercial uses, including copying and re-publication, require NDA's permission. All copyright, database rights and other intellectual property rights reside with NDA. Applications for permission to use the report commercially should be made to the NDA's Communications department at the address below. Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this publication, NDA cannot assume any responsibility for consequences that may arise from its use by other parties.

Vadose Zone Journal, 2004

shall ship all transuranic waste now located at INEL [INEEL], currently estimated at 65,000 m 3 in volume, Subsurface contamination plagues many USDOE sites and threatto the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant or other such facility ens groundwater supplies. This survey discusses research sponsored designated by DOE, by a target date of December 31, by the DOE Environmental Management Science Program (EMSP) 2015, and in no event later than December 31, 2018." for geophysical characterization of the vadose zone at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) and In April 2003, an Idaho court ruled that the phrase "all other contaminated sites. Various types of geophysical imaging tech-transuranic waste" includes buried waste. niques are used to characterize the shallow subsurface, including elec-Geophysical imaging will be necessary to locate burtromagnetic (EM), ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electrical, seisied waste and residual contamination in the subsurface. mic, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Three common themes Advanced geophysical characterization techniques deappear in the research surveyed in this article: (i) the development veloped for the subsurface are emerging from the reof high-resolution imaging capabilities to capture important details search world ripe for implementation at waste sites. of the heterogeneous nature of subsurface properties and processes, This article focuses on geophysical imaging research for (ii) the coupling of nonintrusive survey geophysical measurements vadose zone characterization developed under auspices (e.g., electrical surveys) with detailed quantitative precise point-sensor of the DOE EMSP, which funds basic science research measurements (e.g., lysimeters and vapor-port systems) or borehole targeted at DOE's most pressing cleanup challenges. (e.g., NMR, neutron-based moisture, and geochemical tools) measure-These basic science research projects will improve our ments to extend high-precision knowledge away from the borehole, knowledge of subsurface features, properties, processes, and finally (iii) the application of multiple geophysical methods to and contaminant distributions, which in turn leads to constrain the uncertainty in determining critical subsurface physical properties. Laboratory, field, theoretical, and computational studies better decision-making regarding remediation and longare necessary to develop our understanding of the manner in which term stewardship strategies. contaminants travel through the vadose zone. Applications of geo-The goal of these research projects is to develop highphysical methods to various contaminated areas at the INEEL are resolution measurement and interpretation packages that given.