Sea water intrusion model of Amchitka Island, Alaska

• Main Author: Wheatcraft, S.W.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES ;45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY; WEAPONRY; AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; AMCHITKA ISLAND AREA; HYDROLOGY; GROUND WATER; FLOW MODELS; NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS; UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS; RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION; SEAWATER; AQUIFERS; GROUNDWATER RECHARGE; HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY; PERMEABILITY; Amchitka; Amchitka Island; Bering Sea; Pacific; Aleutian Island; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/418394; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/418394; https://doi.org/10.2172/418394

During the 1960s and 1970s, Amchitka Island, Alaska, was the site of three underground nuclear tests, referred to as Milrow, Long Shot and Cannikin. Amchitka Island is located in the western part of the Aleutian Island chain, Alaska. The groundwater systems affected by the three underground nuclear tests at Amchitka Island are essentially unmonitored because all of the current monitoring wells are too shallow and not appropriately placed to detect migration from the cavities. The dynamics of the island`s fresh water-sea water hydrologic system will control contaminant migration from the three event cavities, with migration expected in the direction of the Bering Sea from Long shot and Cannikin and the Pacific Ocean from Milrow. The hydrogeologic setting (actively flowing groundwater system to maintain a freshwater lens) suggests a significant possibility for relatively rapid contaminant migration from these sites, but also presents an opportunity to use projected flowpaths to a monitoring advantage. The purpose of this investigation is to develop a conceptual model of the Amchitka groundwater system and to produce computer model simulations that reflect the boundary conditions and hydraulic properties of the groundwater system. The simulations will be used to assess the validity of the proposed conceptual model and highlight the uncertainties in hydraulic properties of the aquifer. The uncertainties will be quantified by sensitivity analyses on various model parameters. Within the limitations of the conceptual model and the computer simulations, conclusions will be drawn regarding potential radionuclide migration from the three underground nuclear tests.