Temporal Changes in Decay-Series Isotope Concentrations in Response to Flow Conditions in the Sssdp Well, Salton Sea, California

Abstract

ABSTRACTSeveral radionuclides of the naturally occurring 238U, 235U and 232Th decay series have been measured in high-temperature (300–350 °C) brines from several flow tests of the Sal ton Sea Scientific Drilling Project (SSSDP) well. Activities (dpm/kg) at the initial flow test of the well were 222Rn (2130), 226Ra (2200), 228Ra (1120), 224Ra (1010), 223Ra (6), 210Pb (3260), and 212Pb (2250). In contrast, activities of U and Th isotopes were much lower (< 1 dpm/kg). Following the first flow test (12/85), the well was deepened and sampled again during a short flow test (3/86). Radium and uranium concentrations were about two times lower during the second flow test, while other elements had similar concentrations. During a subsequent 20 day flow test of the well (6/88), flow rates were regulated at the wellhead to investigate reservoir characteristics, and 226Ra and 210Pb activities were found to be negatively correlated with the flow rate and positively correlated with the wellhead pressure. The 226Ra activity varied by a factor of five, roughly the variation in total flow rate, while well-head pressure varied only by 25% and 210Pb activity varied by a factor of two. Ratios of short-lived daughters to longer-lived parents increased in these flow tests. Results from mass balance calculations incorporating reaction kinetics suggest that differences in the degree of radium adsorption, rates of precipitation and dissolution of reservoir minerals exist in different flow zones.