Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Analytical pore water compositions from Yucca Mountain were evaluated for internal thermodynamic consistency. Significant ionic charge imbalances, unequilibrated aqueous speciation relationships, and erratic variability with depth in some species concentrations were found. Thermodynamic consistency was restored by introducing measured CO2 gas pressure as a constraint, imposing equilibrium aqueous speciation, and adjusting pH to achieve charge balance. Reinterpreted water chemistry data were used to evaluate and interpret vertical and lateral variations in water chemistry, differences between unsaturated zone pore and perched water compositions, and water-rock equilibria.