.J ..../ •_, ^ J .'. 0 ;7 • " \ ' • • ^. i SOUTHWEST RESEARCH AND INFORMATSON CENTER MEMORANDUM To: Persons interested in United Nuclear Corp. ground water contamination From: Chris Shuey and Paul Robinson, SK1C Date: February J, 1984 Enclosed for your infomation is our recently completed paper on characterization or ground water quality in and around the unitel ^de^r Corp. ^CiiUJxrL^^L_Ur^rmj,n Mil 1 ?n McKinley County, N.M. The paper will ce presented April 11-12, i984, ^t (-.he Conference on rtater ^uan'ty and ;<ater Pollunon •fn f^ew Mexico, organized sy i^ew Mexico Tech, the r»e^ Mexico 3i>re^--; of Mines ana Mineral resources, and the ^ew Mexico Environmental Improvement Division. The paper essentially ccnc^es that WQ quality of waste water seeping :r.}m evaporation ponds at the site into the alluvium and tw distinct dqulfers uf the Upper ba'Hup 5ar,u£.:urte is grossly etevdtea wnen co^parea wic;i i.itidsur^.; d;iu reported background concentrations fcr major constituents ana with New Mexico's numeric grouna water standards for major constituents. Tieta^s dna radionud iaes. The paper we submitted was confined to the first 10 pa^es enclosed. For your information and convenience, we have attached (as Appendix A) the background water quality data we used to oeter,.nr.ed the rar-ges dda clean concentrations In Table 2 or the paper, and (as Appendix £» water quanty records from ^bcut ^5 percent of the total nuooer cr i^onitori.ig ^ells instatied by Ui^C ^n Sec. c» T15N, Rl^, and Sec. 36, T17N. Rio^, N.M.P.M. Some of those later data were used in Table 3 of the paper. As always, we would appreciate comments, criticism and technical input, ^e also are available to answer any questions you m^y have concerning our organization and treatment of th 0 aatd and conclusions based on the data. Either of us may be reached at the address and number below. P.O. BOX 4524 ALBUQUERQUE NEWMEX!C0871C6 505 - 252^86^
Transcript
.J ..../ • _ , ^
J .'. 0 ;7
• " \ ' • • . i
SOUTHWEST RESEARCH AND INFORMATSON CENTER
MEMORANDUM
To: Persons interested in United Nuclear Corp. ground water contaminationFrom: Chris Shuey and Paul Robinson, SK1CDate: February J, 1984
Enclosed for your infomation is our recently completed paper oncharacterization or ground water quality in and around the unitel ^de^rCorp. ^CiiUJxrL^^L_Ur rmj,n Mil 1 ?n McKinley County, N.M. The paper will cepresented April 11 -12 , i984, ^t (-.he Conference on rtater ^uan'ty and ;<aterPollunon •fn f^ew Mexico, organized sy i^ew Mexico Tech, the r»e^ Mexico 3i>re^--;of Mines ana Mineral resources, and the ^ew Mexico Environmental ImprovementDivision.
The paper essentially ccnc^es that WQ quality of waste water seeping :r.}mevaporation ponds at the site into the alluvium and tw distinct dqulfers ufthe Upper ba'Hup 5ar,u£.:urte is grossly etevdtea wnen co^parea wic;i i.itidsur^.; d;iureported background concentrations fcr major constituents ana with NewMexico's numeric grouna water standards for major constituents. Tieta^s dnaradionud iaes.
The paper we submitted was confined to the first 10 pa^es enclosed. For yourinformation and convenience, we have attached (as Appendix A ) the backgroundwater quality data we used to oeter,.nr.ed the rar-ges dda clean concentrations InTable 2 or the paper, and (as Appendix £ » water quanty records from ^bcut ^5percent of the total nuooer cr i^onitori.ig ^ells i ns ta t i ed by Ui^C ^n Sec. c»T15N, Rl^, and Sec. 36, T17N. Rio^, N.M.P.M. Some of those later data wereused in Table 3 of the paper.
As always, we would appreciate comments, criticism and technical input, ^ealso are available to answer any questions you m^y have concerning ourorganization and treatment of th0 aatd and conclusions based on the data.Either of us may be reached at the address and number below.
CHARACTERIZATION OF G R O U N D WATER Q U A L I T Y NEAR A U R A N I U M M I L L T A I L I N G SFACILITY, AND COMPARISON TO BACKGROUND LEVELS AND MEXICO STANDARDS -*•
Chris Shuey and Hm. Paul RobinsonSouthwest Research and Information Center
ABSTRACT
Historical water quality for the Galiup Sandstone is reviewed onthe basis of proximity to a uranium mill tailings facility in Sec. 2,T16N, R16W, N.M.P.M. 1 1 5 water quality samples from 68 wells and twosprings located in the San Juan Basin were used to derive ranges andmean concentrations for major chemical constituents. Data compiled bystate and federal agencies and the uranium milling company defineground-water quality in tvo distinct aquifers affected by seepage fromunlined evaporation ponds at the site. Concentrations of most majorconstituents, metals and radionuclides in selected site monitoring wellsexceed botn mean background water quality levels and New Mexico groundwater standards, in some cases by thousands of times.
INTRODUCTION
A uranium mill and tailings disposal facility owned by *JNC Miningand Milling Division (also known c»s united Nuclear Corp.) is sited Jn.Sec. 2, T16N, Rio'^, N.M.P^M., at the far southwest end of Pipeline.Canyon about 15 miles (24.2 km) northeast of ball up, N'.N* Seepage oftaH ings waste water with an initial pH of at least 1 .5 (see Tdble 3,column 5) from unlined evaporation ponds at the .mil has been the focusof regulatory action since 1979 (Shuey, 1982) due to the existence or dviolation of N e w M e x i c o * s standards for ground water protection. Sec. 3-101.A.2. of the state standards (NMWQCCR. 1982) provides that if thenatural quality of waters affected by discharges Is higher than thenumeric standards then the existing quality becomes the standard, ^isstudy was conaucted to help determine background water quality in theGatiup Sandstone for comparison to state standards and the quality ofwaste liquids seeping from the UNC site.
PHYSICAL AND HYDROLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GALLUP SAMDSTONE
Rc^mondi and Conrad (1983) have described the geologic sequence inthe canyon as (in descending order) a thin veneer of alluvium derivedfrom erosion of the surrounding sediments, the Point Lookout Sandstone,the Crevasse Canyon Formation (including the Gibson Coal Member, UpperDalton Sandstone Member, Lower Mulatto Tongue of the Mancos Shale, andOlico Coal Member), tne Galiup Sandstone (including the TorrivioSandstone Member and Zones 3, 2 and I of the tipper Galiup Sandstone),the Mancos Shale (including the Upper D-Cross Member), the Lower GaliupSandstone, and the Lower D-Cross Member of the Mancos Shale* Zone 2 of
* Prepared for presentation to Conference on Water Quality and WaterPollution in New Mexico, sponsored by New Mexico Institute of Mining andTechnology. New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, and New
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the Upper Galiup is an intervening shale layer confirmed by boreholegeophysics data (Raymond! and Conrad, 1983, fig. 3).
Reported transmissi'vities in the bat tup Sandstpne range from 59ft^/d near the center of the Basin to 250 to 300 ft^/d in the Yah-Td-Heywell field north of G a 1 1 u p (Stone et a1. , 1983^ p. 37). Specificcapacities range from .03 gal/d/ft (0.000375 n^/d) in the northwest partof the Basin to 1.0 to 2.0 gal/d/ft (0-0125 to 0.025 m^/d) in thesouthwest corner of the Basin west of Gatiup (Stone et a1 . , 1983, fig.6 1 ) - Rnymondi and Conrad (1983) computed transmissivities between 110and 323 ft^/d for Zone 3 of the Upper Gat tup and between 25 and 70 ft^dfor Zone 1 of the Upper Gall up at the UMC site.
Mercer and Cooper (1970) found that the Gattup Sandstone wascapable of delivering up to 800 gpm to city of Gatiup wells. Miss (1975,p. 8) reported sustained yields of 500 to 800 gpm (31.6 to 50.48 1 / s )were expected from wel ls completed in the Gatlup. Uavis et a 1 - (1963)reported yields of 2 to 45 gpm (0.13 to 2.84 1 / s ) in Galtup Sandstonewells in the Tohatchi area and yields of 2 to 3UO gpm (0.13 to 18.931 /s ) in wells in and a few miles north of Galiup.
SUMMARY OF GALLUP SANDSTONE WATER USAGE
The ability of the Gall up Sandstone to carry and deliver waterthroughout the San Juan Basin has been described by many investigators.Mercer ana Cooper (1970) noted that the G a 1 1 u p Sandstone is the majoraquifer of the Gcil tup-Tohatchi area and tne major source or wuter forthe city or Galtup. Kiss (1975, p. 37) called the G a 1 1 u p "one of themost dependable and productive aquifers in western and northwestern f^ewMexico..." Thiete (1966, p. 9) showed that in the area around Gatiup,the Gatiup Sandstone ranked behind only the Dakota-Morn son aquifersystem in water stored ana available for use.
Water uses were reported for 28 of the 68 wells reviewed in thisstudy (Table 1 ) . Of the 28, six were "public supply," 13 ^ere"domestic," 13 were "stock watering," one was used for irrigation, onewas a test w e 1 1 , and six (those closest t^ the UNC facility) were"industrial ground-water monitoring." Sixteen of the 28 had multipleuses.
SOURCES OF WATER QUALITY DATA FOR THE GALLUP SANDSTONE
This stucly used published and unpublished data to show chemicalquality of water in the Gall up Sandstone. Table 1 lists the wet 1 s andsprings reviewed, their identification nunioer(s), distances from the UNOsite, reported TDS concentrations, and references. Uata was taken frompublications of the Arizona State Land Department, the i^avajo Tribe, theU<S. Geological Survey and the Mew Mexico State Engineer and others(Table 1).
Six ground-water monitoring wells installed by UNC In Sec» 36,T17N, R16W were included In the list of background wells tc showexisting water quality in the Ga11up Sandstone at the UNC site. Whilecontamination is believed to have reached the Navajo Reservation north
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T«b1« I* &*Hup Sandstone wlls of northwst Mew ^xico. showing locations, distances from a uranlua «m tailings site.ulor ases anil toUl dissolved solids concentrations (Abbreviations in notes section at end of taale).
Nates: * — Distances and directions given first In afles and second (In parentheses) in kilometers. ** — wMEIU ana UnitedMuclear Corp, fUMC) records H-st well 15T-303 as 14K-3U3 (R. ft^yraondl, pers. corant., Jan. 5. i9ti41. <rM — UbC momtorlny heUnir4>er1ng systeTi. Use categories' 0 (domestic). I (irrigation). IM (industry ground water monitoring*. t*ft (no record). ^S(pu&Hc supply), S (stock watering). T (test Kill. TDS concentrations for selected wel ls also found Irt fig. i. JH —Aposialous data '•eJected from calcuiations of ranges and taean concentrdtians In Ta&ie 3- Keferences; CJtid (Ccoper and John19681, Oa63 Oavis et al., 1963). Frfil (Frenzel et al.. i981). K,lt»j (Kister and Hatcnett. 1963), Llao (Linfc and Kelly, ii^yO).HcG66 (McGavock et a1 . . 1966). Me70 (Mercer and Cooper. 137U1, ^M£r0 file cdta i^ew Mexico r.nvironmeny.at i.flcrovement divisionracIUfy iftooltoring reports;, RatU (ftaymondl and Cdnrad, 19d3), 5h7l (Jnoniaker. 1 9 7 1 ) . Th66 {Thiele. 196b).
of the tailings site (d distance of approximately 3,100 ft [945.1 m]l inZone 3 of the Upper Galiup Sandstone (R. Raymond!, New MexicoEnvironmental Improvement O-ivision, memorandum, uct. 24, 1983), Zone 1wells at the reservation boundary are not believed to have been affectedby seepage flows- Me note, however, that these six Zone I wells liewithin a few hundred feet of the Pipeline Canyon Arroyo (fig. 2) and maybe influenced by recharge of fdir-fo-good quality mine-discharge waterthrough an intervening alluvial ground-water system (Raymond! and Conrad(1983) .
RANGES AND MEANS OF MAJOR CONSTITUENTS IN GALLUP SANDSTONE WATER
We recorded all available chemical concentrations for majorconstituents (cat ions and anions and some metals) for each of the wellslisted in Table 1 ; trial data is available from the authors. Table 2summarizes this data and reports ranges, mea.i concentrations andstandard deviations for alt wells at various distances from tne UNCsite- The period of record, the number of wells, and the number ofsamples used for calculations for each distance category are reported,Constituents listed are specific conductance, pri, TOS, sulfate,chlor'de, nitrate as nitrogen, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium,sodium and bicarbonate.
The data show that Gall up Sandstone ground-water quality is goodfor a 1 1 distance categories expect the l-to-5-mile range. The rangesshown in Table 2 generally agree with those of Thiele (1966, p. 52),Shomaker ( 1 9 7 1 , p. 32) , and Cooley ct at . (1969, p. A52) .
To illustrate the comparisons, we use mean TDS shown in part infigs. 1 and 2. The six Sec. 36 monitoring wells averaged 1 ,017 .1 mg/1TDS on a range of 860-1.691 mg/1, with a low standard deviationindicating consistent w^ter quality. TDS 5 to 15 miles ana 15 to 20miles awc^y was 658.6 and 750 mg/1, ranging from 125-1,02C mg/1 and 2^4-2580 mg/1. Standard deviations showed consistency in quah'ty ir, the 5-to-l5-mi1e zone and variability in the 15-to-20-mi1e zone.
Table 2 shows water quality deterioration with increasing distancefrom Galtup Sandstone recnarge zones. A'ater quality is particularly poortoward the center of the Basin and particularly good near Gallup. Fig. 1shows TDS concentrations of selected w e t t s to demonstrate this point*Despite including the poorer quality water awny fron Ga11up , however,the mean concentration of Ti)S in wells more than 20 miles from the siteremains under 1,000 rng/1 and the standard deviation is less than themean concentration (858.97 mg/1 +626.6 mg/1 ) .
Of the 65 samples for which TOS concentrations were reported, 48were under 1,000 mg/1, 12 were between 1,000 and 2,000 mg/1, and fivewere greater than 2,000 mg/1. Thus, approximately 74 percent of allreported TDS concentrations in Ga11up Sandstone wells were under the1,000-mg/l standard of the state regulations. If two anamolously high,and therefore rejected, TDS concentrations are included. 72 percent ofsamples reporting TDS concentrations remain under 1,000 mg/1, white thenumber of samples greater than 2.000 mg/1 increases from about 8 percentto about 10 percent-
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0 5 .0 20 T»
Figure 1 , Study area in northwest N<?A Mexico showing rota; d^ssoiveo so);ci3 conce.-tradons nn me ;) •nGalfup Sandsiore .;?l;s ^nC ireir Drcximity to d uranium mtil tai'i^- 'ac :^ }^ tn Sec. 2. T 1 6 N P'16v'rf.Wells used to thrive ^a^^grOJn^ /.ate^ a^ai i ty :na( are Ai th in I fri'e 01 'n^ ' a ^ i t ^ y are iisteu in Ta^'e iand snown in t ig. 2 iGase nr«5p moa>' ea trom Stone et as.. 1°83, f.g IJ
CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTAMINATED GROUND WATER AT THE UNC SITE ANDCOMPARISON OF SITE GROUND MATER TO BACKGROUND AND STATE STANDARDS
Water quality in Zones 1 dnci 3 of the upper uoliup Sandstone and inthe alluvium of Sec. 2, T16N, R16l-i, and Sec. 36, T17M. R16W, isportrayed in Ta&1e 3, columns 7-13. Reported here are recent samplesfrom six contaminated monitoring wells in and around the UNC evaporationponds (see fig. 1 ) . We have assembled water quality data over time forapproximately 25 percent of the more than 250 site monitoring wells, butchose to report only a small amount of that data here because of spacelimitations. The concentrations for most major constituents, metals and
T17N
-Hi-- o° Sl^'1 ' ^llU''<; *'-lT-Ol , ~ - i k / .' ftfin IZ^a* > \ -.- S<
T15N
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005301
Figure 2. M^y o" U'"tec. '•<d~:"a' Coro uranium 'aiiin^s -^ r .n ' : ) . snowin" •:--<ar'>'"d-tion ponds, seven s'le monitoring weils i^ee Table 3 "or chemical analyses).and SIA Uppec Ga'Iup San^ston*? (Zone U wers used to derive bacK^rouidwater Qua' f ty . Sec. 36 wells used •n trie background sluoy ^'Q snown wi:n (o ta fdissolved solids ccneemrations fin mg/ti anc are iis(ec ;n Tdt'e 1 .
radionuclides reported here are consistent with the variability ofchemical quality in the majority of monitoring wells closest to the UNCsite» Table 3 reports the chemistry of three evaporation ponds 1 n W^1980, and 1983, The data show the effects of neutralization of pondedwaste liquids and show that nearby monitoring wet 1 s exhibit chemicalqualities consistent with tailings liquors.
Table 3 shows vividly that most major constituents, some metals,and the radionudide thorium-230 are grossly elevated when compared withthe background concentrations reported in Table 2 and New Mexico ground-water standards shown in Table 3, column 14. Some exceedances for majorindicators such as TDS and sulfates are on the order of tens tothousands of times background. Compared with the fair water quality ofwell 15T-303, the closest "background" well greater than a mile from theUNC site, tailings-influenced water quality in Sec. 2, T16N, R16y, andSec. 36, T17N, R16y. remains elevated, at least for water in Zone 3 ofthe Upper Galiup Sandstone.
From the standpoint of health concerns, data for nitrates, thorium-230, aluminum, manganese and arsenic, among others, around the tailingsfacility are particularly disturbing- Development of formerly high-
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Table 2. Ranges and «eans of isajor chemical constituents In ground water in the Galiup Sandstone at distance frow the United Nuclear Corp.Church Rwk Uranlus Will, S<-c. 2, 716H, R16y, N.M.P.M. l a11 concertr<*Hons In aiDlyraBis per lUer except a$ noted)3.
Rarige/Mean Concentrat ions
Ranges of concentrationsfor flU reported data
Mean concentrations andstandard deviat ions
Ranges of concen t ra t ionsfor a l l reported data
Mean corKentratIons andstandard deviat ions
Ranges of concen t r a t i onsfor a1T reported data
Pfean concentrations ands tandard dev ia t ions
Hells 15 ml (24.2 kn) to ZO
Ranges of concentra t ionsfor a11 ('('ported data
Mean coocentratSor.s andstandard deviat ions
Wel ls greater than 20 ml
W e l l s and springs northrf Sheep Springs. N . M .
Wens past and northeastof Croxinpoint , N . M .
M e l l s south, wst andnorth of GaUup. M.M.
ranges of concen t ra t ion?for aU wHs >20 ml
Mew concentrations endstandard deviations for all w1
Per, ofRecord
1980-83
1955-82
1944-77
1953-68
1948-64
1974-76
1952-73
1948-78
ho. ofyens
6
2
16
11
6
9
20
35
U >20
Sppc.No. of Cond.Samples ( u i n h o s )
WeUs
35 825.-1970.
1125.97tr2b.8
yells 1 ml
9 1780.-312V.
?<50,^947.5
yel l s 5 Bi ()
20 565.-167U.
1055.3+326.0
12 645.-1120.
885.8^?29.8
6 2160.»3242.3
12 1618.9^609.9
n e&8.2^353.45
39 410.-4310.
1524.45mi +901.1
p , j( u n i t s )
wifcnin
6.9-8.1
7.6^.3
(1.6 Inn) to 5
7,2-8.1
7.7I-3
8.1 kB)
;.3-8.8
7.94.4
7.6-8.8
8.3+.49
7.95+.2
7.8+ . 4
8.3H.O
7.-11.7
8.1I-8
rus
I nH (1.6 fcfti) of 16.16.2.
8bi:l. -3691.
1017.1 523.0+140.95 ^109.3
1J9U.-317C.
2469.8I6-56-3
to 15
135.-1020.
6'v8.6^260.2
m. -•ZW.
750.^625.1
W7.Q+939.4
1?2?.3Jt44L\ /
W.\j247.2
^9--3270.
858.9;t62b.6
W
W.2-?98.
ml i f l . S k
840.-2160,
1597.j^'.J
fii< (24.2
3?.-514.
281.4^144,9
Bil (32.3
59.-310.
15?.+79-98
(3?.3 km) from 16.16.2.
675.3+565,1
776.8j565.3
116.9^83.2
6.2-2322.
F 393.5I484-''
Ci ?;03-N
15.9 <-U05-22.8 1.22
19.4 .54^1.8 ^.56
•) froiM Ib.lb.Z.
11.- .0-16. .0
12.96 .22*2.\ t.26
iua) frum 16.16.2.
3.- .U-153. n.16.4 .69
^34.8 fr .53
kiB) from 16,16.2.
4.5- .0-96. .8
26.45 .23^8.8 ^.27
106.8 .95W.6 ^1.4
60.4 .3+10b.3 j.5b
J5 .5 .7^6.3 H.l
2.- .0-Z15. 3,7
42.2 .63*75.1 ^.99
Fe
<.01-.92
.24^.19
.0
.02-8.
1.49t2-7*
.01->02
.02^.01*
.09I-13
.U7^.06
.0-
.32
.08I-1*
Ca
.56-14U.
45.97+36.0
160.-J96.
283.8^112.0
1.-148.
52.4,+50,95
1.2-42.
11.49^12.7
34,8^33.7
73.9+47.99
40.3^2u,a
1.2-140.
48.1^36.3
MQ
12.-71.
2U.4^19.0
89.-154.
118.8^0.1
.5-56.
17.49^.17.3
.0-22.
4.8^b.4
14,7+14.5
22.2^13.2
9.S+5.49
.3-39.
13.9^11.2
K
2.3-5.95
3.9J2.9
5.07-6.6
5.8^1.1
2.-10.9
,i.5+2.S*
7.7
7.7
3.2^1.3
12.5^5.4
.8-70.
7.7ne.u*
Na
27&.4'341.a
311.7^33. U
72.-571.4
122-1+4y.7
6.-27U.
155.6 283.3+8&,49* +90.
8?.-997.
329.6^375.7*
467.7^341.8
316.3^222.8
123.45^106.90
37.-1040.
2S3.391250.7*
HC03
23J.8-351.
274.1+45.2
209.9-3UU.
259.4^.4
135.-458,
182.-752.
30U.3^146.7
3&1.7j339.3
234.45+118.3
2y9.i^95.'»
145.-587.
306.8^oa.i
a — Data based on 115 samples from wl l s listed 1n Table 1; * — Total Fe and K + Na concentrates not calculated In ranges or means.
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005303
lub^e 3. Chemical quality of evaporation pond l iqu ids flnd contaminated g round water, U n i t e d NucUar Corp. Church Sor.h Uranlua M i l i , ^ec,ccwparlson to Kef Mexico ground wfcer standards (cowentratlons In piimgrdms per liter cr.c^pt as nuind).
, n6N. R16W, and
Sampl ingdat-e(s) :
Hajor consHtuents
Cond. (umhos)pti ( u n i t s )IUS504ClN03-NNHJCaMQKNahC03
HetJis (add.
Alfl<PnBCdCrCuCoFt?PbMnMoN1SeAgUy7n
RadSonucHdes
Th-2JO pCI/1 25800.Ra-226Ra-Z78Pb-210
CmMICAl. QBP-111/01/79E
40788.1,33
39043.28876.
296.82.033.32
544,1205.
82.5549.7
sampling dates.)
3220.l .f l?. M2
.014
1.659
.45
11.45&.638.25
(add. sarnpl
27^8
UALm: EMBP-210/03/SOE
64820.461UO;
583..328
3.26570.650.
64.47J8.
174U.?.<
.U.',83.12
1.71.71-G
12040..875
190.1.22.2
.69
.0712.749.12,
ing dates:)
PORAT10M POBP-203/09/83U08/U1/8JE
12300.4 ,17
16663.120U1.
279.22
495.5476.
.0
11/15/82E.P
59.92.OOfl.1;
ND.011.019
ND.56
463..049
68..013.3?
<.W.W2
.142.fc6
i^DS3
M-Pond06/20/80U
4900.1.5
148100.14490U.
i04,
7400.- ]. /
'. 7^235.5
1Z,5.3
12000.15.9
380.18.7J.5.1.07
54.51'JU.49.
Ob/23/80U
148.4^4.2
33100.
H-Pond03/09/83U03/17/8?£
7.^45058.3W.
89.23.365
1.464423.101.53.
4:2.90.09
11/15/8^EP
.06
.^s
.Ot^ND
.004
.045NU
.067
.052
.0485.5<.001
.11W
.0023.011*
.06
.2
03/03/83U
3.34*0.318.39^0.75
" - - - - ^3.62+2.38
CHt.MlCAL 1}T^-F410/i;5/i3^ED/ob/a^u
15001J.2.15
2W->.15i6S.
179.81J.1
223.492.960.
6.8?36 J. 4
.0
n/J5/82tP
1450,1.'),<"i
ND.04
16.2.09.05
1500..28
78.3
20.4ND
,0133.W*
18.515.4
05/03/FF.;
32609^6005.55*0.7
3.28-^6.29
U A L K Y : S£LiL»<i1 ^up -3OR/02/83E
2.2547460.27/80.
292.94.61
237.5U5.^7 ( >.<
J.5536.
12/15/82EP
2300.7 . &
,•)HD
.0324.37.44 .7
334U..45
96-4
BD.5NU
,0186.1)*
14,38.
03/03/83U
9329^SB?9ifi.be^i.ia
9.82^3.36
rcno 'SHE6U4JO/^5/8ZE01/12/83U
6500.3.62
9234.6U14.
47 .4n.^
1.36136.
134U.12.48
.0
11/15/82EP
i4u..IJ'.Uti
wu.004.012.57
3.544.
.01421,8
.7
.0014MO
.071.32
03/03/83U
i2W*W
WWW) Wi450-A10/25/82Et^/28/a^U
9300.2.37
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NoUs and abbreviations: ''See fig. 2 for evaporation pond locations; BP-1 <BorrowPU No. 1) . BP-? (borrow Pit No. 2), N-Pond (North Pond), ^See fig. 2for monitoring we^} locations; nionltorim wel ls Identified by their UMC monitoring-system numbers. Screened Intprvals for site nionitoring wlis ere UpperGflHup Sandstone (Kgu) Zone 3 (TMU-124 and Gailup-3), Zone I (604 and 15U-A), Zones 1, ^ and 3 ( 3 1 7 and 4U1) and alluvium (l iW-1). E (NMHU sanipla), U <UNCsaniple), EP (U.S, EPA sample). * — UMC sanple. OJ/OJ/OJ. ^MMuLC Standards -- New Mexico Water yuallt)' Control Coi-fflU^ton RcguUtlons, Part J. ^ec* ^-IOJ.A.(itufflaft UpaKh Standards). El. (Standards fur Oomestfc ^atcr Supply), and C. (Standards for Irrigation Use). ** -- New Mfiaico Environmental Improvement board.'Standards for Protection Against RadlaUon,'1 Part ^ Appendix A, Table 1 I» Column 2 (for "unrestricted"' areas). NU (not detectable).
thunter
005304
quality water supplies within 150 to 250 ft of the surface appears to beprecluded near the tailings due to the presence these toxic materials.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that ground water in the Galiup Sandstone rangesfrom fair to good quality throughout the San Juan Basin with the bestwater available near the recharge zones showri in fig* 1. Backgroundwater quality compares favorably with New Mexico 's ground-waterprotection standards; 72-74 percent of background TDS concentrations inthe Galiup Sandstone are less than the l,UOU-mg/1 stdte standard.
p\ Upper Galiup ground-water cnennstry near the UNO mill is grosslydistorted when compared with background and state standards. Theexistence of the tailings facility near an outcrop area in a rechargezone compounds the severity of the contamination problem. Greatlyelevated nitrate, arsenic and thorium-230 levels represent potentialpublic health concerns.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors express their appreciation for the technical assistanceprovided by Richard R. Raymond!, Bruce Gallaher and Dennis McQuillan,NMEID, and Masud Zaman and Najam Tariq, Navajo Water Resources. Supportfor this study was ^rovid-ed -in part by ^ grant f^om the Shat^nFoundation, the General Fund of Southwest Research and InformationCenter, and the donations of Mr. Patrick O'Meara.
REFERENCES
Cooley, M. E., Harshbarger, J* W. , Akers, J. P., ^nd Hardt, W. F., 1969,Regional hydrogeotogy of the Navajo and hopi Indian Reservations,Arizona, New Mexico and Utah: U.S. Geological Survey, Prof. Paper521-A.
4
Cooper, J. 8., and John, E. C*, 1968, Geology and ground-wateroccurrence in southeast McKinley County. New Mexico: New MexicoState Engineer. Tech. Rept- 35.
Davis, G. £., Hardt, M. F., Thompson, L. K., and Cooley, M. E., 1963,Geohydrologic data in the Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations,Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. pt. I — records of ground-watersupplies: Arizona State Land Department, water Resources Rept.lZ-A,
Frenze1» P. F., Craigg, S. D..' and Padgett, E. T., 1981, Preliminarydata report for the San Juan Basin-Cro'/ffipoint Surveillance Study:U,S. Geological Survey. Open-file Rept- 81-484.
Hiss, W. L.» 1975, Evaluation and proposed study of potential ground-
thunter
005305
water supplies, Galiup area, ^ew Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey,Open-file Rept. 75-522.
Kister, L. R., and Hatchett, J, L., 1963, Geohydrologic data in theNavajo and Hopi Indian Reservations, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah,p t > II "- selected chemical analyses of the ground water: ArizonaState Land Department, Water Resources Rept. 12-B.
Link. R. L.. and Kelly, T. E., 1980, Aquifers associated with strippablecoal, San Juan Basin, New Mexico: prepared for Mining and MineralsDivision, Energy and Minerals Department, State of New Mexico, byGeohydrology Associates, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico.
McGdVOck, E. H.» Edmonds, R. J., Gillespie, E, L., and Halpenny, P. C.,1966, Geohydrologic data in the Navajc and hopi IndianReservations, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, pt. I-A, supplementalrecords of ground-water supplies: Arizona State Land Department,Water Resources Rept. 12-E.
Mercer, J. W., and Cooper, J. B., 1970, Availability of ground water inthe Gallup-Tohatchi area, McKinley County, New Mexico: U.S.Geological Survey, Open-file Rept-
New Mexico Environmental Improvement Division, 1976-1983, Ground-waterquality monitoring files for United Nuclear Corp. Northeast ChurchRock Uranium Mill, Ground Water Quality and Hazardous Waste Bureau.
New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission, 1982, New Mexico loaferQuality Control Commission Regulations, rev. Sept. 20, 1982.
Raymond!, R. R., and Conrad, R. C., 1983, Hydrogeology of PipelineCanyon, near Galiup, New Mexico: Ground Water, v. 21, no< 2.
Shomaker, J. W., 1971, Water resources of Fort Wingate Army Depot andadjacent areas, McKinley County, New Mexico: U.S. GeologicalSurvey, Open-file Rept. MK-32.
Shuey, C., 1982, Accident left long-term contamination of Rio Puerco,but seepage problem consumes New Mexico's response: Mine Talk(Southwest Research and Information Center), v. 2, nos. 1-2.
Stone, W. J., Lyrord, F. P., Frenzel, P. F., Mizell, N. H,, and Padgett,E. T., 1983, Hydrogeology and water resources of San Juan Basin,New Mexico: i'iew Mexico Bureau of Miners and Mineral Resources,Hydrologic Rept. 6.
Thiele, H. J., 1966, Navajo water resources, supplies and management,and the proposed Navajo Tribal Water Authority (NTWA) : prepared forNavajo Tribal Council«
thunter
005306
Appendix A
Ranges and means of major chemical constituents in ground water in the6a11up Sandstone at distance from the United Nuclear Corp.
Church Rock Uranium Mill. Sec. 2, T16^. R16ti, N.M.P.M.(alt concentrations in mini grans per liter dissolved,
(except as otherwise noted; ab&reviations at end of table)*
thunter
005307
Appcnci lx A, (cont inued)
USI.S, USFllA No. Uuflrlr-ingteor local Name Lcc. No.
Concen t ra t ions reported are avpr.tycs of m u l t i p l e samples; •* -- lo la l ^ and X » N.I r n n r p n t f A t l o m not Inc luded In ranges or ropons; app. ""•f l p p r u x i p i f l t c l y ; UH '•- data rejected; Nl» • • No "ccord; I -- Irace; i t ) -- lota? concFntraHon rppv»te<l ; Ull/J9l -- Ind ica tes number of Klls surveJCdand number of s a m p l i n g dates reported, respectively; Co68 — Cooper and John S9ba; I r H l -- rrenip* et al. litti; K163 -- Ktster et a). 19b3; L<au —Unk and Kell>1 198y; Me70 — Hercer and Cooper 1970; N M E I O f i l e data -- Naler qua l i ty infonaaHoo contained in regulatory f l ies of the bround MaterUuaHty and Hazardous Waste Bureau, N^w Mexico Environmental Iwprovefent U i v t s f o n ; MaH3 — Raywoudi l1^; S)t71 — Shomfiticr 1971; 7hb6 — Thiel* 1966.
thunter
005308
Ap)ipni:Hx A. (cuntlnurd)
USGS, USIilA No. Uuartrangleor local Name l.oc. Ho.
appendix A. Ranges and means of major chnfllral constituents ^n qround n/itcr 1r» the Gal lup San'l&tnnc at 'llylfince from the United Nuclear torp. Umrch RockUranium Mm, SPC. 2, H6N, R16W, N.It.P.M. (all conccnti<t1ons In rolUigrems per llt^i dl^olvvil. exrppt AS otherwise noted; abbreviations at endof table).
f t l e O^taHI? datanip dataIJp datatil" f fa taDl*? d-ita(UP i1.ita1 1 1 ? ilfllaf i le <j.itaf l ip tfotaUle d.itaf l ip itataf l ip tl-itaill'- i^Hf t i o ilritaril? ilatam< fi^taf t t p ijAlat f l e d.iranic fid'.af l ip daiflf i lp dataf i le »jata«1^ dfl^flip <!dlanip d^fme ddUmp dal.»rile datafile datafHe daffile tfatftme dat«me dafflit data
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005310
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005311
Appendix B
Major chemical constituents and selected metals and radionuclides inUnited Nuclear Corp. Church Rock Uranium Mill monitoring wells,
Sec. 2, T16N. R16W, and Sec, 36, T17N, R16W. M.M.P.M.(an concentrations reported by U^C, except as othersse Indicated).
Notes and abbreviations
New Mexico Environmental Improvement Division sampleU.S. Environmental Protection Agency samplefield measurementlaboratory measurementml 1 1 1 grains per liter(Cretaceous) Upper Ga^iup Sandstone, Zone 1(Cretaceous) Upper Gatiup Sandstone, Zones 1, 2 and 3(multiple-aquifer wells)(Cretaceous) Upper Gal tup Sandstone, Zone J(Cretaceous) Upper Gall up Sandstone, Torrlvio Sandstone Member(Quaternary) alluviumindicates reported concentrations are averages of multiplesamplesquestionable data
10.69.49.19.U2.U12,05.06.47 .747.3^7 . U 77 .377.uy
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1 U - 1 1 - 7 701-2^7804-26-7807-26-73lU-23-?y01-23-79U5-31-7909-28-791M4-79U3-iy-uo05-?8-(iUU6-1H-8UUh ^J m)1*8-31-8U12-19-8UU2-18-81U5-31-81C1-2U-82l?4-Ul-b2U4-12-y^U4-P1-8204-21-y2E10-U6-8?ni i o »)'
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Spec,Ua»p of Cund. pll TUS SIJ4 C» Fe CO Pb N03 as N Cd Ho Na iKu3 Al rtn Ho Th y«* ^ ^hS^le (uohos) (units) ^g/1) Img/l) (»g/l) (mg/n 1^/U I»g/U (.g/n ,, ^n ,) ;,, , , ^ ^f^^
S04 U Fe Cd Pb N03 as M Ca Mg Ma HC03 Al Mn Mo U Co(nig/I) (mg/1) ( rng/1) [ m g / ] } (nig/I) (mg/1) (mg/U (ing/i) fmg/1 ) (ing/H ( m g / 1 ) (mg/l) (ma/'l) ( m g / 1 ) hug/U
