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Determining Three-Dimensional Hydrologic Processes in the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer Using Geochemical Mass-Balance Modeling, Idaho National Laboratory, Eastern Idaho

Professional Paper 1837-C
DOE/ID-22258
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1837C

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Abstract

Waste constituents discharged to the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory (INL) pose risks to the water quality of the aquifer. To understand these risks, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the DOE, used geochemical mass-balance modeling to identify three-dimensional hydrologic processes in that portion of the aquifer underlying the southwestern part of the INL that affect the movement of groundwater and waste constituents. Modeling was performed using water chemistry of 74 water samples collected from 30 wells. Fifty-four of the water samples were collected from 11 wells equipped with multilevel monitoring systems with vertically discrete sampling zones that encompass the upper 750 feet of the aquifer. Water samples from these multilevel wells were collected during 2007‒13, a period when conditions in the aquifer were approximately steady-state because there was little or no recharge from the Big Lost River.

The primary source of water in groundwater at the multilevel wells during 2007‒13 was the Big Lost River. Other sources of water include groundwater from the Little Lost River valley, precipitation, and wastewater. Horizontal groundwater-flow directions appear to be similar in both the shallow and deep parts of the aquifer, and surface-water sources of water in most deep groundwater shows that groundwater moves downward. Surface-water sources of water in deep groundwater noticeably decrease within and below the Matuyama flow and associated sedimentary interbeds, which indicates that these units are semi-impermeable and retard the downward movement of groundwater.

Suggested Citation

Suggested citation: Rattray, G.W., 2023, Determining three-dimensional hydrologic processes in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer using geochemical mass-balance modeling, Idaho National Laboratory, eastern Idaho, with contributions by Treinen, K.C.: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1837–C (DOE/ID-22258), 133 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1837C.

ISSN: 2330-7102 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Geochemistry Data
  • Sources of Solutes
  • Identifying Sources of Water from Water Chemistry
  • Geochemical Modeling
  • Hydrologic Processes
  • Summary and Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Glossary
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Determining three-dimensional hydrologic processes in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer using geochemical mass-balance modeling, Idaho National Laboratory, eastern Idaho, with contributions by Treinen, K.C.
Series title Professional Paper
Series number 1837
Chapter C
DOI 10.3133/pp1837C
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Idaho Water Science Center
Description Report: vii, 133 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Idaho
Other Geospatial Idaho National Laboratory
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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