UNDESIREABLE CONSEQUENCES OF NATURAL LIQUIDS BEHAVING AS SOLUTIONS TO WASTE STORAGE AT YUCCA MOUNTAIN

Multi-component liquids behave as chemical solutions rather than melts (Dickson and Hsu, 1990) ¹. Solids separate from liquids by solubilities. Equilibrium is precluded in the open systems of earth by gradients in temperature (T), pressure (P), composition (X) (TPX), except for small volumes governed by local TPX conditions. Liquefaction of rocks with increasing T and P, as in descending slabs, initially generates fluid coatings of the most soluble fraction (dissolvable constituents). Compositions are set by kinetics of dissolution. Coatings build until liquid forms. Bodies of liquids rise physically as diapers or chemically as reaction cells (Dickson, 2000) ². Reaction cells cycle excess energy of liquefaction between endothermic dissolution reactions at tops and exothermic crystallization reactions at bases. Energy freed at bases moves upward by convection in central liquids. Excess energy acts along TPX gradients. Energy released by radioactive disintegration at shallow depths above and below the water table would activate convection cells resulting in hot springs and fumaroles on the surface. Deeply buried waste would generate diapers and reaction cells that penetrate the crust to emplace intrusive bodies and volcanoes on the surface. Excess energy is difficult to restrain in earth’s gravitational field. A repository at Yucca Mountain would require constant monitoring and cooling (Dickson, 2003)³, which is difficult for 10,000 years or more.

1J. Geodynamics, 2000, v. 29, p.103-109. ²J. Geodynamics, 2000, v. 30, p. 475-487.

3Proceedings 38^th Symposium Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering, Reno, Nevada, March, 2003, p.453-461. Can be obtained from robilee@isu.edu