Summary of northern Atlantic Coastal Plain hydrology and its relation to disposal of high-level radioactive waste in buried crystalline rock – A preliminary appraisal

Water-Resources Investigations Report 85-4146
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Interpretation of available hydrologic data suggests that some areas beneath the Coastal Plain in the States of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia might have some potential for the disposal of nuclear waste in crystalline rock that is buried beneath the Coastal Plain sediments. The areas of major interest occur where the top of the basement rock lies between 1,000 and 4,000 feet below sea level, the aquifer(s) immediately above the basement rock are saturated with saline water, confining material overlies the saline water bearing aquifer(s), and groundwater flow in the saline water aquifer(s) can be established. Preliminary data on (1) the distribution and thickness of the lowermost aquifers and confining beds, (2) the distribution of hydraulic conductivity in the lowermost aquifers, (3) estimated hydraulic heads and inferred direction of lateral groundwater flow for 1980, and (4) the distribution of saline water and brine, indicate eastern parts of the study area relatively best meet most of the criteria proposed for sediments that would overlie any potential buried crystalline-rock disposal site.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Summary of northern Atlantic Coastal Plain hydrology and its relation to disposal of high-level radioactive waste in buried crystalline rock – A preliminary appraisal
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 85-4146
DOI 10.3133/wri854146
Year Published 1985
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description vi, 132 p.
Country United States
State Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details