|
The Geology and Hydrogeology of the Sellafield Area |
1 Nirex, Curie Avenue, Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RH, UK
The Sellafield area lies over the transitional zone between the western margin of the Lake District Massif, of Lower Palaeozoic metamorphic and igneous rocks, and the East Irish Sea Basin of younger sedimentary rocks. This paper sets out the general geological framework, and includes aspects such as the structural evolution, sedimentary history, rock properties and fault and fracture characteristics. From this framework, hydrogeological units are identified and linked to hydrogeological parameters as the basis for general hydrogeological models of the Sellafield area. Site specific models of groundwater flow through and around the potential location of an underground repository for radioactive waste are being developed on the basis of detailed characterization of the rock mass. In particular, geological and geophysical methods are applied to improve understanding of groundwater flow and to develop hydrogeological models integrated with the local geological framework.
Key Words: environmental geology • hydrogeological controls • radioactive • site invesitgation • waste disposal
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  M. J. Streetly, J. A. Heathcote, and P. J. Degnan Estimation of vertical diffusivity from seasonal fluctuations in groundwater pressures in deep boreholes near Sellafield, NW England Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2006; 263: 155 - 167. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J.A. Heathcote and U.MCL. Michie Estimating hydrogeological conditions over the last 120 ka: an example from the Sellafield area, UK Journal of the Geological Society, 2004; 161: 995 - 1008. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. E. Bouch, A. E. Milodowski, and K. Ambrose Contrasting patterns of pore-system modification due to dolomitization and fracturing in Dinantian basin-margin carbonates from the UK Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2004; 235: 325 - 348. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. J. Degnan, A. K. Littleboy, U. McL. Michie, C. P. Jackson, and S. P. Watson Fracture-dominated flow in the Borrowdale Volcanic Group at Sellafield, NW England: the identification of potential flowing features, development of conceptual models and derivation of effective parameters Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2003; 214: 197 - 219. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. STREETLY, C. CHAKRABARTY, and R. MCLEOD Interpretation of pumping tests in the Sherwood Sandstone Group, Sellafield, Cumbria, UK Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 2000; 33: 281 - 299. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. A. Berry, A. J. Baker, K. A. Bond, M. M. Cowper, N. L. Jefferies, and C. M. Linklater The role of sorption onto rocks of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group in providing chemical containment for a potential repository at Sellafield Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 1999; 157: 101 - 116. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. Davies and R. Chaplow Geotechnical characteristics of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, 1998; 52: 189 - 197. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. E. Milodowski, M. R. Gillespie, J. Naden, N. J. Fortey, T. J. Shepherd, J. M. Pearce, and R. Metcalfe The petrology and paragenesis of fracture mineralization in the Sellafield area, west Cumbria Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, 1998; 52: 215 - 241. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Chaplow The geology and hydrogeology of Sellafield: an overview Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 1996; 29: S1 - S12. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. H. Bath,, R. A. McCartney,, H. G. Richards,, R. Metcalfe, and M. B. Crawford Groundwater chemistry in the Sellafield area: a preliminary interpretation Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 1996; 29: S39 - S57. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. A. Heathcote, M. A. Jones, and A. W. Herbert Modelling groundwater flow in the Sellafield area Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 1996; 29: S59 - S81. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. H. Black and M. A. Brightman Conceptual model of the hydrogeology of Sellafield Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 1996; 29: S83 - S93. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Littleboy The geology and hydrogeology of the Sellafield area: development of the way forward Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 1996; 29: S95 - S104. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
