Abstract
At contaminated sites, there is a critical reliance on conceptual site models of which a key component is the geologic framework model (GFM), which is used to build predictive fate and transport modeling in support of remediation goals. We detail an ongoing study at a nuclear waste site (Hanford Site, Washington, USA) where surface geophysical methods were used to complement existing borehole information and to help site new boreholes to update and refine the GFM. Ground-based electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), time-domain electromagnetics (TEM), and seismic data was acquired on the Hanford Site’s Central Plateau, where the presence of a hydraulically transmissive subsurface feature, or paleochannel, was suspected but uncertain based on contaminant concentrations at sparsely located boreholes. To assess and compare ERT, TEM, and seismic geophysical datasets, co-located data was acquired in an area where the existing GFM was more certain. Surrounding the suspected paleochannel, ERT and seismic refraction tomography showed similar subsurface structures consistent with a channelized feature. While TEM interpretation was limited in the suspected paleochannel area due to a thick resistive top layer and high electromagnetic noise, TEM showed greater utility in a different area where these factors were less prevalent. Based on the results of quasi-3D ERT inversions, we propose updates to the GFM, including identifying a paleochannel. Further, we evaluate the utility of geophysical methods and examine lessons learned that will be used as a basis for continued characterization efforts to support site management decisions and implementation efforts.
Highlights
• Geophysical methods were used for site characterization of stratigraphic structure
• Co-located geophysical surveys provided an integrated characterization approach
• Geophysical surveys must consider site-specific conditions
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Data Availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Conceptualization: Judith Robinson; Methodology: Judith Robinson, James St. Clair, Formal analysis: Judith Robinson, James St. Clair, Piyoosh Jaysaval; Field investigation: Jonathan Thomle, James St. Clair, Joaquin Cambeiro, Kelsey Peta; Writing – original draft preparation: Judith Robinson, James St. Clair, Piyoosh Jaysaval; Writing – review and editing: Judith Robinson, James St. Clair, Piyoosh Jaysaval, Fred Day-Lewis; Funding acquisition: Rob Mackley; Supervision: Judith Robinson, Fred Day-Lewis; All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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This document was prepared under the Deep Vadose Zone – Applied Field Research Initiative at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle Memorial Institute for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC05-76RL01830.
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Robinson, J., St. Clair, J., Thomle, J. et al. Using Multiple Geophysical Methods to Refine a Stratigraphic Conceptual Site Model at a Nuclear Waste Site. Environ. Process. 10, 16 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-023-00622-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-023-00622-1