Stable isotopic evidence for a pedogenic origin of carbonates in trench 14 near Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Jay Quade, Thure E. Cerling

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Layered carbonate and silica encrust fault fractures exposed in Trench 14 near Yucca Mountain, site of the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository in southern Nevada. Comparison of the stable carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of the fracture carbonates with those of modern soil carbonates in the area shows that the fracture carbonates are pedogenic in origin and that they likely formed in the presence of vegetation and rainfall typical of a glacial climate. Their isotopic composition differs markedly from that of carbonate associated with nearby springs. The regional water table therefore remained below the level of Trench 14 during the time that the carbonates and silica precipitated, a period probably covering parts of at least the last 300,000 years.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1549-1552
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume250
Issue number4987
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 14 1990
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stable isotopic evidence for a pedogenic origin of carbonates in trench 14 near Yucca Mountain, Nevada'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this