Geochemistry and Geomaterials:
Projects

Developing Earthquake-Proof Buildings: Nonlinear Elastic Wave Studies.

A bell will ring when you strike it. In similar fashion, a sediment layer on the earth's surface will "ring" during an earthquake. But what happens to the buildings sitting on that sediment layer?

To answer this question and address larger issues in stockpile stewardship, we are studying the dynamic nonlinear elasticity of earth materials. Merging geophysics and materials science, we seek to understand the elastic behavior of rocks and related materials (such as building materials) and predict their behavior under stress states (such as earthquakes).

Rounding up Greenhouse Gases: Carbon Capture and Sequestration

Fossil fuels provide abundant, cheap energy. Yet the burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming by producing CO2 and other greenhouse gases. To maintain economic growth, President Bush has challenged scientists to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions.

To meet this challenge, we are developing new ways to prevent CO2 from reaching the atmosphere. These methods focus on removing CO2 directly from the air and storing it as a solid. Recent work includes studying the CO2 collection efficiency of several adsorbents, including alkali, alkaline-earth hydroxide solutions, and amine polymers. We have also demonstrated rapid dissolution of serpentine in the presence of organic-acid chelators.

Evaluating Disposal Strategies for Radioactive Waste.

What happens after radioactive waste is placed in a waste repository? How can we ensure that the waste stays in place?

To answer these questions, we are investigating the risks associated with various waste disposal strategies. We are modeling the transport of radionuclides in groundwater at the Nevada Test Site. We are also studying how backfill materials, exposure to radiation, and exposure to metallic iron and aluminum can affect stored radioactive waste.

Safely Storing Radioactive Waste: Actinide Chemistry and Repository Science Program

The U.S. government's nuclear defense research activities produce radioactive waste. Effectively and efficiently storing this waste is key to protecting the community's health and safety.

The Carlsbad Field Office operates the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, NM, as a repository site for this waste. Los Alamos partners with the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Laboratory (CEMRC) in Carlsbad to address near- and long-term issues related to certifying and operating WIPP.

Los Alamos/CEMRC together conduct a wide range of research activities to

• support the Carlsbad Field Office,
• improve waste management,
• address relevant issues in actinide che,istry and repository science, and
• serve as the knowledge expert for certifying radioactive waste from DOE sites.

Aerial photo WIPP plant.

Removing Waste from Water and Soil: Phosphate-Induced Metal Stabilization (PIMS) Using Reactive Media

How can you clean up environmental waste without disrupting entire communities? How can you keep cleanup costs low?

In partnership with PIMS NW, Inc., we are using a PIMS method to remove metal wastes and radionuclides from groundwater and soil. This method employs a reactive media, such as Apatite II, in a supsurface permeable reactive barrier. The use of PIMS with Apatite II has proven very efficient and cost-effective in groundwater and soil remediation projects.

Success Mine tailings pile. The armored East Fork of Ninemile Creel channel is in the foreground and the supsurface PRB filled with Apatite II is to the right.