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At least 775 records · Page 43
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Alquimia v1.0: a generic interface to biogeochemical codes – a tool for interoperable development, prototyping and benchmarking for multiphysics simulators

Alquimia v1.0 is a generic interface to geochemical solvers that facilitates development of multiphysics simulators by enabling code coupling, prototyping and benchmarking. The interface enforces the function arguments and their types for setting up, solving, serving up output data and carrying out other common auxiliary tasks while providing a set of structures for data transfer between the multiphysics code driving the simulation and the geochemical solver. Alquimia relies on a single-cell approach that permits operator splitting coupling and parallel computation. We describe the implementation in Alquimia of two widely used open-source codes that perform geochemical calculations: PFLOTRAN and CrunchFlow. We then exemplify its use for the implementation and simulation of reactive transport in porous media by two open-source flow and transport simulators: Amanzi and ParFlow. We also demonstrate its use for the simulation of coupled processes in novel multiphysics applications including the effect of multiphase flow on reaction rates at the pore scale with OpenFOAM, the role of complex biogeochemical processes in land surface models such as the E3SM Land Model (ELM) and the impact of surface–subsurface hydrological interactions on hydrogeochemical export from watersheds with the Advanced Terrestrial Simulator (ATS). These applications make it apparent that the availability of a well-defined yet flexible interface has the potential to improve the software development workflow, freeing up resources to focus on advances in process models and mechanistic understanding of coupled problems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Evaluating the relative importance of precipitation, temperature and land-cover change in the hydrologic response to extreme meteorological drought conditions over the North American High Plains

Abstract. Drought is a natural disaster that may become more commonin the future under climate change. It involves changes to temperature,precipitation and/or land cover, but the relative contributions of each ofthese factors to overall drought severity is not clear. In this work we apply ahigh-resolution integrated hydrologic model of the High Plains to explorethe individual importance of each of these factors and the feedbacks betweenthem. The model was constructed using ParFlow-CLM, which represents surfaceand subsurface processes in detail with physically based equations.Numerical experiments were run to perturb vegetation, precipitation andtemperature separately and in combination. Results show that decreasedprecipitation caused larger anomalies in evapotranspiration, soil moisture,stream flow and water table levels than increased temperature ordisturbed land cover did. However, these factors are not linearly additive whenapplied in combination; some effects of multifactor runs came frominteractions between temperature, precipitation and land cover. Spatialscale was important in characterizing impacts, as unpredictable andnonlinear impacts at small scales aggregate to predictable, linear large-scale behavior.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Microbial Activity and Precipitation at Solution-Solution Mixing Zones in Porous Media (Final Report)

The use of biological and chemical processes that degrade or immobilize contaminants in subsurface environments is a cornerstone of remediation technology. The enhancement of biological and chemical processes in situ, involves the transport, displacement, distribution and mixing of one or more reactive agents. Biological and chemical reactions all require diffusive transport of solutes to reaction sites at the molecular scale and accordingly, the success of processes at the meter-scale and larger is dictated by the success of phenomena that occur at the micron-scale. However, current understanding of scaling effects on the mixing and delivery of nutrients in biogeochemically dynamic porous media systems is limited, despite the limitations this imposes on the efficiency and effectiveness of the remediation challenges at hand. We therefore proposed to experimentally characterize and computationally describe the growth, evolution, and distribution of microbial activity and mineral formation as well as changes in transport processes in porous media that receive two or more reactive amendments. The model system chosen for this project was based on a method for immobilizing 90 Sr, which involves stimulating microbial urea hydrolysis with ensuing mineral precipitation (CaCO 3 ), and co-precipitation of Sr. Studies at different laboratory scales were used to visualize and quantitatively describe the spatial relationships between amendment transport and consumption that stimulate the production of biomass and mineral phases that subsequently modify the permeability and heterogeneity of porous media. Biomass growth, activity, and mass deposition in mixing zones was investigated using two-dimensional micro-model flow cells as well as flow cells that could be analyzed using synchrotron-based x-ray tomography. Larger-scale flow-cell experiments were conducted where the spatial distribution of media properties, flow, segregation of biological activity and impact on ancillary constituents (i.e., Sr) was determined. Model simulations accompanied the experimental efforts. The research contributed towards defining the key physical, chemical, and biological processes influencing the form and mobility of DOE priority contaminants (e.g., 60 Co, 90 Sr, U) in the subsurface. The work conducted and reported herein, will in the future (i) contribute to controlling the juxtaposition of microbial activity, contaminants and amendments, (ii) promote new strategies for delivering amendments, and (iii) allow new approaches for modifying permeability and flow in porous media. We feel that the work has already translated directly to improving the efficiency of amendment based remediation strategies. The results of the project have been published in a number of peer reviewed journal articles. The abstracts and citations to those articles, given in section 2.0 below, make up the bulk of this final report.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Utah FORGE: Drilling Data for Student Competition

Diagnostic drilling data (Pason log files) from Well 58-32 (previously labeled MU-ESW1), which was drilled near Milford Utah during Phase 2B of the FORGE Project to confirm geothermal reservoir characteristics met requirements for the final FORGE site. This dataset includes both raw, unprocessed drilling data recorded at 1Hz and a processed version downscaled to ~0.3m (1 ft) intervals. Diagnostic drilling data were collected to obtain useful information regarding the nature of the subsurface materials and performance of the drilling rig and drilling bits, including rate of penetration (ROP), weight on bit, temperature, pump pressure, etc.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Exploring the impact of hydro-mechanical coupling on compaction localization

In deep subsurface environments, where porous rocks are saturated with fluids, hydromechanical coupling plays a critical role in the formation and propagation of localized deformation zones, such as compaction bands. In this study, we numerically investigate the influence of fluid-rock interactions on the development of compaction localization in fluid-saturated rocks. For this purpose, it uses a numerical framework that adapts the heat equation to model the diffusion of pore pressure caused by deformation. This is achieved with specialized subroutines for material behavior and heat transfer formulated within the ABAQUS platform and by allowing changes in rock permeability during strain localization. The results highlight that hydromechanical coupling significantly alters the compaction behavior compared to dry conditions. Under high confining stress, excess pore pressure inhibits the progression of compaction fronts, while in time-dependent processes like rock creep, pore pressure transients accelerate deformation by creating feedback loops between mechanical forces and fluid flow. These findings underscore the importance of saturation in controlling the dynamics of compaction localization and provide insights into the interplay between pore pressure, deformation, and permeability. The implications of this study extend to applications in geological storage, resource extraction, and subsurface geomechanics, offering a deeper understanding of coupled hydromechanical processes in porous rocks.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

3-D Geologic Controls of Hydrothermal Fluid Flow at Brady geothermal field, Nevada, USA

In many hydrothermal systems, fracture permeability along faults provides pathways for groundwater to transport heat from depth. Faulting generates a range of deformation styles that cross-cut heterogeneous geology, resulting in complex patterns of permeability, porosity, and hydraulic conductivity. Vertical connectivity (a throughgoing network of permeable areas that allows advection of heat from depth to the shallow subsurface) is rare and is confined to relatively small volumes that have highly variable spatial distribution. This local compartmentalization of connectivity represents a significant challenge to understanding hydrothermal circulation and for exploring, developing, and managing hydrothermal resources. Here, we present an evaluation of the geologic characteristics that control this compartmentalization in hydrothermal systems through 3-D analysis of the Brady geothermal field in western Nevada. A published 3-D geologic map of the Brady area is used as a basis to develop structural and geological variables that are hypothesized to control or effect permeability or connectivity. The 3-D distribution of these variables is compared to the distribution of productive and non-productive fluid flow intervals along production wells and non-productive wells via principal component analysis (PCA). This comparison elucidates which geologic and structural variables are most closely associated with productive fluid flow intervals. Results indicate that production intervals at Brady are located: (1) within or near to known and stress-loaded macro-scale faults, and (2) in areas of high fault and fracture density.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Experimental Study on a Single Cement-Fracture Using CO[subscript 2] Rich Brine

The efficiency of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects is directly related to the long term sealing efficiency of barrier systems and of wellbore cement in wellbores penetrating storage reservoirs. The microfractures inside the wellbore cement provide possible pathways for CO{sub 2} leakage to the surface and/or fresh water aquifers, impairing the long-term containment of CO{sub 2} in the subsurface. The purpose of this experimental study is to understand the dynamic alteration process in the cement caused by the acidic brine. The first experiment, at ambient temperature and pressure, was conducted by flowing CO{sub 2}-rich brine through 1 in. by 2 in. (25.4 mm by 50.8 mm) cement cores for 4 and 8 weeks durations. The second experiment was a 4 weeks long flow-through experiment conducted at ambient conditions using a 1 in. by 12 in.(25.4 mm by 304.8 mm) cement core and CO{sub 2}-rich brine with a core flooding system under 600 psi (4.13 MPa) confining stress. Post-experiment material analysis from both experiments confirmed leaching of Ca{sup 2+} from reacted cement, as reported in literature. However for the first time, porosity of the reacted regions was semi-quantified applying micro-CT images.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Fully Coupled Well Models for Fluid Injection and Production

Wells are the primary engineered component of geologic sequestration systems with deep subsurface reservoirs. Wells provide a conduit for injecting greenhouse gases and producing reservoirs fluids, such as brines, natural gas, and crude oil, depending on the target reservoir. Well trajectories, well pressures, and fluid flow rates are parameters over which well engineers and operators have control during the geologic sequestration process. Current drilling practices provided well engineers flexibility in designing well trajectories and controlling screened intervals. Injection pressures and fluids can be used to purposely fracture the reservoir formation or to purposely prevent fracturing. Numerical simulation of geologic sequestration processes involves the solution of multifluid transport equations within heterogeneous geologic media. These equations that mathematically describe the flow of fluid through the reservoir formation are nonlinear in form, requiring linearization techniques to resolve. In actual geologic settings fluid exchange between a well and reservoir is a function of local pressure gradients, fluid saturations, and formation characteristics. In numerical simulators fluid exchange between a well and reservoir can be specified using a spectrum of approaches that vary from totally ignoring the reservoir conditions to fully considering reservoir conditions and well processes. Well models are a numerical simulation approach that account for local conditions and gradients in the exchange of fluids between the well and reservoir. As with the mathematical equations that describe fluid flow in the reservoir, variation in fluid properties with temperature and pressure yield nonlinearities in the mathematical equations that describe fluid flow within the well. To numerically simulate the fluid exchange between a well and reservoir the two systems of nonlinear multifluid flow equations must be resolved. The spectrum of numerical approaches for resolving these equations varies from zero coupling to full coupling. In this paper we describe a fully coupled solution approach for well model that allows for a flexible well trajectory and screened interval within a structured hexahedral computational grid. In this scheme the nonlinear well equations have been fully integrated into the Jacobian matrix for the reservoir conservation equations, minimizing the matrix bandwidth.

coupled well model↗
DOE OSTI2017

Rates and mechanisms of uranyl oxyhydroxide mineral dissolution

Uranyl oxyhydroxide minerals are important weathering products in uranium-contaminated surface and subsurface environments that regulate dissolved uranium concentrations. However, dissolution rates for this class of minerals and associated dissolution mechanisms have not been previously reported for circumneutral pH conditions, particularly for the case of flow through porous media. In this paper, the dissolution rates of K- and Na-compreignacite (K 2 (UO 2 ) 6 O 4 (OH) 6 ·8H 2 O and Na 2 (UO 2 ) 6 O 4 (OH) 6 ·8H 2 O respectively) were measured using flow-through columns reacted with two simulated background porewater (BPW) solutions of low and high dissolved total carbonate content (ca. 0.2 and 2.8 mmol L -1 ). Column materials were characterized before and after reaction with electron microscopy, bulk chemistry, and EXAFS to identify structural and chemical changes during dissolution and to obtain insight into molecular-scale processes. The reactive transport code CrunchFlow was used to calculate overall dissolution rates while accounting for fluid transport and changes in mineral volume and reactive surface area and results were compared to steady-state dissolution rate calculations. In low carbonate BPW systems, interlayer K and Na were initially leached from both minerals, and in Na-compreignacite, K and minor divalent cations from the input solution were incorporated into the mineral structure. Results of characterization analyses suggested that after reaction both K- and Na-compreignacite resembled a disordered K-compreignacite with altered surfaces. A 10-fold increase in dissolved carbonate concentration and corresponding increase in pH (from 6.65 to 8.40) resulted in a net removal of 58-87% of total uranium mass from the columns, compared to <1% net loss in low carbonate BPW systems. Steady-state release of dissolved uranium was not observed with high carbonate solutions and post-reaction characterizations indicated a lack of development of leached or altered surfaces. Dissolution rates (normalized to specific surface area) were about 2.5-3 orders-of-magnitude faster in high versus low carbonate BPW systems, with Na-compreignacite dissolving more rapidly than K-compreignacite under both BPW conditions, possibly due to greater ion exchange (1.57·10 -10 vs. 1.28·10 -13 mol m -2 s -1 [log R = -9.81 and -12.89] and 5.79·10 -10 vs. 3.71·10 -13 mol m -2 s -1 [log R = -9.24 and -12.43] for K- and Na-compreignacite respectively). Experimental and spectroscopic results suggest that the dissolution rate is controlled by bond breaking of a uranyl group and detachment from polyhedral layers of the mineral structure. With higher dissolved carbonate concentrations, this rate-determining step is accelerated by the formation of Ca-uranyl carbonate complexes (dominant species under these conditions), which resulted in an increase of the dissolution rates. Optimization of both dissolution rate and mineral volume fraction in the reactive transport model to account for uranium mass removal during dissolution more accurately reproduced effluent data in high carbonate systems, and resulted in faster overall rates compared with a steady-state dissolution assumption. Finally, this study highlights the importance of coupling reaction and transport processes during the quantification of mineral dissolution rates to accurately predict the fate of contaminants such as uranium in porous geomedia.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Dynamics of geologic CO 2 storage and plume motion revealed by seismic coda waves

Significance The sequestration of CO 2 into geological formations as a strategy for reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases requires accurate monitoring of CO 2 plume for safe long-term storage. However, imaging CO 2 plume migration in the subsurface is a challenging problem for existing seismic monitoring methods. Here, we present an approach for CO 2 monitoring based on seismic coda waves and apply it to the 3-d period of CO 2 injection in a pilot experiment. We find that velocity reduction is nonlinearly correlated with the cumulative CO 2 mass inside the reservoir, and that coda waves can effectively monitor the spatiotemporal evolution of CO 2 plumes in the subsurface. Our findings suggest approaches for using seismic data in long-term monitoring of subsurface CO 2 plume evolution.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Injectable Silica–Permanganate Gel as a Slow-Release MnO 4 - Source for Groundwater Remediation. Rheological Properties and Release Dynamics

Injectable slow-release permanganate gel (ISRPG), formed by mixing KMnO 4 solution with fumed silica powder, may have a potential application in remediating chlorinated solvent plumes in groundwater. A series of batch, column, and flow cell experiments has been completed to test the gel behavior under a variety of conditions. The experiments have provided information on ISRPG rheology, permanganate (MnO 4 - ) release dynamics and distribution, and trichloroethene (TCE) degradation by ISRPG-released oxidant. The gel possesses remarkable shear thinning characteristics, resulting in a relative low viscosity during mixing, and facilitating its subsurface injection and distribution. Batch tests revealed that MnO 4 - was diffused out from ISRPG into water while the gel did not dissolve or disperse into water but maintained its initial shape. Column experiments showed that MnO 4 - release from ISRPG lasted considerably longer than the release from aqueous solution. TCE degradation by ISRPG-released MnO 4 - was much more effective than that when MnO 4 - was delivered using aqueous solution injection. In two-dimensional flow cell experiments, it was demonstrated that ISRPG slowly released a long-lasting low concentration MnO 4 - plume sufficient for remediation and sustainable in an aquifer for a long period of time.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

3-D Geologic Controls of Hydrothermal Fluid Flow at Brady Geothermal Field, Nevada using PCA

In many hydrothermal systems, fracture permeability along faults provides pathways for groundwater to transport heat from depth. Faulting generates a range of deformation styles that cross-cut heterogeneous geology, resulting in complex patterns of permeability, porosity, and hydraulic conductivity. Vertical connectivity (a through going network of permeable areas that allows advection of heat from depth to the shallow subsurface) is rare and is confined to relatively small volumes that have highly variable spatial distribution. This local compartmentalization of connectivity represents a significant challenge to understanding hydrothermal circulation and for exploring, developing, and managing hydrothermal resources. Here, we present an evaluation of the geologic characteristics that control this compartmentalization in hydrothermal systems through 3-D analysis of the Brady geothermal field in western Nevada. A published 3-D geologic map of the Brady area is used as a basis to develop structural and geological variables that are hypothesized to control or effect permeability or connectivity. The 3-D distribution of these variables is compared to the distribution of productive and non-productive fluid flow intervals along production wells and non-productive wells via principal component analysis (PCA). This comparison elucidates which geologic and structural variables are most closely associated with productive fluid flow intervals. Results indicate that production intervals at Brady are located: (1) within or near to known and stress-loaded macro-scale faults, and (2) in areas of high fault and fracture density. This submission includes the published journal article detailing this work, the published 3-D geologic map of the Brady Geothermal Area used as a basis to develop structural and geological variables that are hypothesized to control or effect permeability or connectivity, 3-D well data, along which geologic data were sampled for PCA analyses, and associated metadata file. This work was done using existing R programs.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Using Geophysical Information to Investigate Subsurface Structure within the High-Hydraulic Conductivity Analysis Zone

Within the 200 East Area of the Central Plateau and southeastward toward the Columbia River, a high-hydraulic conductivity zone (HCZ) has been interpreted to extend through the 200-PO-1 and 200-BP-5 operable units on the Hanford Site. The HCZ is a controlling hydraulic feature that impacts groundwater flow out of the 200 East Area and the fate of eastwardly migrating plumes from the 200 West Area. The lateral extent of the HCZ is highly uncertain, and despite strong evidence for the existence of the HCZ based on water-level data and contaminant plume tracking, there is still a limited understanding of how to define its boundaries. To provide additional information on the nature and extent of the HCZ, three surface geophysical methods – electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), time-domain electromagnetics (TEM), and seismic methods – were used to collect data south of 200 East. In addition, existing data from 200 East, consisting of surface seismic data, a borehole check shot survey in 699-37-47A, and borehole stratigraphic interpretations, were used to aid interpretations of newly collected seismic data south of 200 East. This work presumed that the contrast in subsurface geophysical properties would be a first-order aid identifying a transmissive zone(s) within the HCZ analysis area by imaging contrasts and/or anomalies in geophysical properties. While seismic, ERT, and TEM methods have sensitivity to overlapping physical properties (porosity, moisture content, lithology), the resolution and physics used to acquire each of these datasets are different, and therefore the information can also be different. Figure S.1 shows the locations of the geophysical data considered in this report.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Chemo‐mechanical Alterations Induced From CO 2 Injection in Carbonate‐Cemented Sandstone: An Experimental Study at 71 °C and 29 MPa

Abstract Carbon capture, utilization, and storage may lead to mechanical degradation of the subsurface reservoir from fluid‐rock interaction, which could lead to wellbore instability or reservoir compaction. To better understand potential relationship between mechanical degradation with various carbonate cement textures and compositions in sandstone reservoirs, six flow‐through experiments were conducted. Formation water (TDS = 5,390 mg/L) enriched with CO 2 flowed through two types of Pennsylvanian Morrow B Sandstone: an ankerite‐siderite‐cemented sandstone (disseminated cement texture) and a calcite‐cemented sandstone (poikilotopic cement texture). The experiments produced little change in permeability in the ankerite‐siderite‐cemented sandstone, but permeability increased up to more than 1 order of magnitude in the calcite‐cemented sandstone. Ultrasonic measurements and cylinder‐splitting tests (also known as Brazilian tests) suggested negligible mechanical degradation of the ankerite‐siderite‐cemented sandstone. Variable changes, with significant mechanical degradation in the static moduli, were observed in the calcite‐cemented sandstone. Thus, dissolution of the disseminated ankerite‐siderite cement (0.28–0.30%) had minimal impact on modifying the flow network and the mechanical integrity of the sandstone, whereas dissolution of the poikilotopic calcite cement (0.89–1.13%, quantified with fluid chemistry and visualized with X‐ray microcomputed tomography) impacted the mechanical strength of the sandstone by disconnecting framework grains. With the high water‐to‐rock mass ratios (7.3–8.2) and number of pore volumes (147–675) employed in these experiments, potential risks are most relevant to regions near injection wells. Ultimately, the chemo‐mechanical effects induced by CO 2 injection are strongly influenced by the cement texture and composition and the burial history of the reservoir rock.

Wu, Z.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Compound flood simulations indicate rising public exposure to sewage-contaminated waters in Waikīkī, Hawai‘i

Waikīkī, Hawai‘i serves as a valuable case study for flood vulnerability due to its low elevation, present-day exposure to multiple flood sources, and role as the state’s economic engine. This study applies the high-resolution, open-source WRF-Hydro-CUFA (Coastal Urban Flood Application) model to simulate compound flood interactions among pluvial, fluvial, coastal, storm drain-driven, and subsurface processes, and to evaluate how flood characteristics in Waikīkī evolve under projected sea-level rise (SLR). Simulated water levels in an estuarine drainage canal, serving as the primary outlet for gravity-flow drainage from Waikīkī, show strong agreement with observations (r ≥ 0.935, R 2 ≥ 0.874), accurately reproducing flooding observed during recent 5-year and 50-year storm events. Simulations incorporating SLR demonstrate a shift in dominant flood drivers as sea levels rise. In addition, results identify critical thresholds at which elevated estuarine tailwater conditions cause widespread drainage backflow, eventually occurring in the absence of rainfall. These findings suggest that tidally driven flooding will progressively dominate over rainfall-driven events, increasing public exposure to highly contaminated canal and groundwater sources. The results underscore the urgent need to integrate water quality issues and drainage failure into coastal flood management strategies for low-lying urban environments, particularly those reliant on polluted estuarine waterways for stormwater management.

Compound flooding↗
DOE OSTI2018

Multiscale two-stage solver for Biot’s poroelasticity equations in subsurface media

In this paper, we propose a two-stage preconditioner for accelerating the iterative solution by a Krylov subspace method of Biot’s poroelasticity equations based on a displacement-pressure formulation. The spatial discretization combines a finite element method for mechanics and a finite volume approach for flow. The fully implicit backward Euler scheme is used for time integration. The result is a 2 × 2 block linear system for each timestep. The preconditioning operator is obtained by applying a two-stage scheme. The first stage is a global preconditioner that employs multiscale basis functions to construct coarse-scale coupled systems using a Galerkin projection. This global stage is effective at damping low-frequency error modes associated with long-range coupling of the unknowns. The second stage is a local block-triangular smoothing preconditioner, which is aimed at high-frequency error modes associated with short-range coupling of the variables. Lastly, various numerical experiments are used to demonstrate the robustness of the proposed solver.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Parts-Per-Million Carbonate Mineral Quantification with Thermogravimetric Analysis–Mass Spectrometry

Mitigating the deleterious effects of climate change requires the development and implementation of carbon capture and storage technologies. To expand the monitoring, verification, and reporting (MRV) capabilities of geologic carbon mineralization projects, we developed a thermogravimetric analysis–mass spectrometry (TGA–MS) methodology to enable quantification of <100 ppm calcite (CaCO 3 ) in complex samples. We extended TGA–MS calcite calibration curves to enable a higher measurement resolution and lower limits of quantification for evolved CO 2 from a calcite–corundum mixture. We demonstrated <100 ppm carbonate mineral quantification with TGA–MS for the first time, an outcome applicable across earth, environmental, and materials science fields. We applied this carbonate quantification method to a suite of Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) well cuttings recovered in 2009 from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Wallula #1 Well. Our execution of this new combined calcite and calcite–corundum calibration curve TGA–MS method on our CRBG sample suite indicated average carbonate contents of 0.050 wt % in flow interiors (caprocks) and 0.400 wt % in interflow zones (reservoirs) in the upper 1250 m of the Wallula #1 Well. Finally, by advancing our knowledge of continental flood basalt-hosted carbonates in the mafic subsurface and reaching new TGA–MS quantification limits for carbonate minerals, we expand MRV capabilities and support the commercial-scale deployment of carbon mineralization projects in the Pacific Northwest United States and beyond.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hydrologic Impacts of a Strike-Slip Fault Zone: Insights from Joint 3D Body-Wave Tomography of Rock Valley

The Rock Valley fault zone (RVFZ), an intraplate strike-slip fault zone in the southern Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), hosted a series of very shallow (<3 km) earthquakes in 1993. The RVFZ may also have hydrological significance within the NNSS, potentially playing a role in regional groundwater flow, but there is a lack of local hydrological data. In the Spring of 2021, we collected active-source accelerated weight drop seismic data over part of the RVFZ to better characterize the shallow subsurface. Here, we manually picked ~17,000 P-wave travel times and over 14,000 S-wave travel times, which were inverted for P-wave velocity (V P ), S-wave velocity (V S ), and V P /V S ratio in a 3D joint tomographic inversion scheme. Seismic velocities are imaged as deep as ~700 m in areas and generally align with geologic and structural expectations. V P and V S are relatively reduced near mapped and inferred faults, with the most prominent lower V P and V S zone around the densest collection of faults. We image V P /V S ratios ranging from ~1.5 to ~2.4, the extremes of which occur at a depth of ~100 m and are juxtaposed across a fault. One possible interpretation of the imaged seismic velocities is enhanced fault damage near the densest collection of faults with relatively higher porosity and/or crack density at ~100 m depth, with patches of semiperched groundwater present in the sedimentary rock in higher V P /V S areas and drier rock in lower V P /V S areas. A relatively higher V P /V S area beneath the densest faults persists at depth, which suggests percolation of groundwater via the fault damage zone to the regionally connected lower carbonate aquifer. Potentially, the presence and movement of groundwater may have played a role in the 1993 earthquake aftershocks.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗