Geochemistry of outcrop samples from the Raven Canyon and Paintbrush Canyon reference sections, Yucca Mountain, Nevada
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Geology topics
F.R. Singer
Publications and source records attributed to F.R. Singer.
Localized alteration of the paintbrush nonwelded hydrologic unit within the exploratory studies facility
The mound-like feature in the lower part of the PTn, composed of highly disrupted strata and open-system alteration were the result of intense water-rock interaction. This feature was formed by fumarolic activity during cooling of the 12.8 Ma Topopah Spring Tuff and prior to deposition of the pre-Pah Canyon bedded tuff. Evidence of vapor phase crystallization, commonly observed in fumaroles, is not pervasive but may have been destroyed by subsequent low-temperature water-rock interaction. The ESF has provided a unique opportunity to view the internal morphology and to sample the compositional variability of this feature, however, outcrop and borehole studies suggest that such localized occurrences of alterative are not uncommon phenomenon within the PTn Hydrology Unit.
Conference Paper↗
Isotopic and trace element variability in altered and unaltered tuffs at Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Reference stratigraphic sections near Yucca Mountain, Nevada were established and sampled in outcrop areas where the volcanic rocks have been minimally altered. Isotopic and trace element analyses obtained for these reference sections are baseline data for assessing the degree and extent of element mobility attendant with past zonal alteration of the rock mass. In agreement with earlier studies, zeolitization is shown to have occurred under wholesale open-system conditions. Calcium was increased by two three times the baseline values and strontium up to twenty times. In contrast, barium displays less variability, and the high-field strength elements zirconium and titanium were the least mobile during zeolitization. The data reported here establish the usefulness of reference sections of assessing past elements mobility. The information gained will be helpful in predicting possible future element mobility induced by thermally activated fluids in the near field of a potential repository.
Conference Paper↗