Using hydro-geochemistry and isotopes to trace groundwater flow from Little Forest Burial Ground and surrounding landfills

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorCendón, DIen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHughes, CEen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHarrison, JJen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHanklin, SIen_AU
dc.contributor.authorJohansen, MPen_AU
dc.contributor.authorPayne, TEen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWong, HKYen_AU
dc.contributor.authorRowling, Ben_AU
dc.contributor.authorVine, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorWilsher, KLen_AU
dc.contributor.authorGuinea, Aen_AU
dc.contributor.authorThiruvoth, Sen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2023-12-13T00:59:32Zen_AU
dc.date.available2023-12-13T00:59:32Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2012-10-16en_AU
dc.date.statistics2022-02-02en_AU
dc.description.abstractMultiple tracer-element and isotope approaches were used to study groundwater near a legacy low-level radioactive waste burial site surrounded by municipal and industrial waste sites. The interaction of rainfall, with its marine-derived major ion ratios, and waste from the sites is apparent, however, clay-rich soils and shale at the site tend to retain many contaminants via ion exchange and other processes. High permeability of the disposal trenches provides a pathway for groundwater recharge, with discontinuous perched groundwater lenses found in their vicinity. Within the trenches, the degradation of organic matter results in localised methanogenesis, as suggested by enriched δ2H and δ13CDIC in adjacent subsurface water. Movement of contaminants from the waste sites is indicated by Na+, Brˉ and Iˉ concentrations, variations in 87Sr/86Sr, enriched δ13CDIC and evolution of δ34S of dissolved sulfate in perched water bodies above the shale. There is clear evidence of a tritium plume from the LFBG trenches, although the adjacent landfills provide an additional tritium source. Waste burial records show that over 1000 kg of Be (mostly BeO) were disposed in the LFBG trenches. However, beryllium concentrations in groundwaters near the trenches are quite low, and appear more likely to be controlled by the host lithologies and the other sources of contamination in the vicinity, rather than by leaching of Be from the LFBG waste. Past removal of the shale layer in an adjacent site, Harrington’s Quarry, has led to the mixing of municipal waste leachates into the underlying groundwater system as suggested by high TDS, Cl−/Br− ratios, Be, and 3H found in deeper wells. The multiple tracer approach addresses the complexities of transport at the site and differentiates various municipal, industrial, and radioactive waste sourcesen_AU
dc.identifier.citationCendón, D. I., Hughes, C. E., Harrison, J. J., Hankin, S. I., Johansen, M. P., Payne, T. E., Wong, H., Rowling, B., Vine, M., Wilsher, K., Guinea, A., & Thiruvoth, S. 2012. Using hydro-geochemistry and isotopes to trace groundwater flow from Little Forest Burial Ground and surrounding landfills. Paper presented to the 12th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference (SPERA 2012), Tuesday 16 October – Friday 19 October 2012 Sydney, Australia. Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, (pp. 56).en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceenddate2012-10-19en_AU
dc.identifier.conferencename12th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference (SPERA 2012)en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceplaceAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Sydney, Australiaen_AU
dc.identifier.conferencestartdate2012-10-16en_AU
dc.identifier.pagination56en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/handle/10238/15285en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisationen_AU
dc.subjectGeochemistryen_AU
dc.subjectGround wateren_AU
dc.subjectGround disposalen_AU
dc.subjectRadioactive wastesen_AU
dc.subjectSoilsen_AU
dc.subjectGroundwater rechargeen_AU
dc.subjectTritiumen_AU
dc.subjectWateren_AU
dc.subjectRadionuclide migrationen_AU
dc.titleUsing hydro-geochemistry and isotopes to trace groundwater flow from Little Forest Burial Ground and surrounding landfillsen_AU
dc.typeConference Posteren_AU
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Thumbnail Image
Name:
SPERA_2012_final abstract_book.pdf
Size:
836.92 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Thumbnail Image
Name:
SPERA 2012 POSTER.pdf
Size:
1.7 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.63 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Conference Publications