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At least 235 records · Page 13

Recovery and classification of thirty new meteorites from Roosevelt County, New Mexico

The discovery and classification of 30 new meteorites found in or close to Roosevelt County, NM, are reported, including two H3 chondrites and a ureilite; the others are equilibrated ordinary chondrites. Over 160 meteorites representing at least 100 different falls have been recovered from this region, mostly from wind blowout areas. As in Antarctica, small specimens predominate and irons, achondrites, and C and E chondrites are rare. Paired specimens are also very difficult to identify.

Scott, E. R. D.↗

Spinel-bearing, Al-rich chondrules in two chondrite finds from Roosevelt County, New Mexico - Indicators of nebular and parent body processes

Two rare spinel-bearing Al-rich chondrules are identified in chondrite finds from Roosevelt County, New Mexico-RC 071 (L4) and RC 072 (L5). These chondrules have unusual mineralogies dominated by highly and asymmetrically zoned Al-Cr-rich spinels. Two alternatives exist to explain the origin of this zoning-fractional crystallization or metamorphism. Fractional crystallization formed the zoning of the trivalent cations and caused a localized depletion in chromites around the large Al-Cr-rich spinels. Diffusive exchange and partitioning of Fe and Mg between olivine and spinel during parent-body metamorphism can explain the asymmetric zoning of these elements. The bulk compositions of the chondrules suggest affinities with the Na-Al-Cr-rich chondrules, as would be expected from the abundance of Al-Cr-rich spinels. The most important factors are the temperature to which the molten chondrule was heated and the cooling rate during crystallization. These two chondrules cooled rapidly from near the liquidus, as indicated by the zoning, occurrence and sizes of spinels, radiating chondrule textures and localized chromite depletions.

Mccoy, Timothy J.↗

Development of a Digital Meteorite Identification Program at University of New Mexico (UNM) (Institute of Meteoritics) and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI)

Determining the origin and chemical composition of suspect extra terrestrial specimens has lead to meteorite identification research programs. Such programs, like the University of New Mexico-Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute partnership, are being inundated with many non-meteorites (meteor wrongs) sent in by interested individuals from all over the world. This meteorite identification program developed a spreadsheet that aids in identifying the types of minerals in a sample for physical properties, possible meteorite characteristics, minerals and rock properties, and possible man made characteristics. Samples that show meteorite distinctiveness are further analyzed via the Scanning Electron Microprobe (SEM).

Gakin, R.↗

Summary of Remediated and Unremediated Nitrate Salt Surrogate Testing in Support of the Waste Treatment Permit Application to the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)

The inadvertent creation of transuranic waste carrying hazardous waste codes D001 and D002 requires the treatment of the material to eliminate the hazardous characteristics and allow its eventual shipment and disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). This report briefly summarizes the surrogate testing that was done in support of our understanding of this waste form.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Innovative Exploration Techniques for Geothermal Assessment at Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico

Surface exploration methods like geological mapping, mineralogical analysis, hydrogeochemistry, magnetotelluric as well as seismic, have been used to analyze the study area and identify a location for a production size exploration well. After that location has been identified in a blind resource scenario, a 5,657 feet deep deviated production size exploration well has been drilled. The surface casing is 13 3/8 inch with open hole starting at 4,136 feet. The well has been designed to be deepened up to 8,000 feet if needed. The first 4,180 feet have been sufficiently analyzed and were considered only of direct use interest prior to drilling. That has been confirmed. The remaining depth couldn't be logged by the time the report has been submitted because the well had an obstruction at 4,180 feet. Currently the power production potential for the drilling location cannot be determined without additional work-over of the well. The seismic conducted prior to drilling was a 100% success, providing a clear image of the subsurface and allowing for geosteering to be fact based and on target. Once the obstruction has been removed, work can continue to determine the power generation potential at that location.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Remote-Handled TRU Storage Challenges at Sandia National Laboratories/ New Mexico - 16071

The events at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in February 2014 had a significant impact on the packaging, storage, and disposal options at Sandia National Laboratories/New Mexico (Sandia) as with other transuranic generator sites. In 2012, Sandia had identified accountable material for disposal, fresh and irradiated mixed oxide (MOX) and uranium oxide (UO{sub 2}), which had been used in experiments conducted in the 1970's and 1980's. During the 2012/2013 timeframe, discussions with WIPP determined the samples and experimental vessels qualified as remote-handled (RH) transuranic (TRU) waste for disposal at WIPP. Sandia began discussions with WIPP to determine the process to repackage and characterize the material for disposal at WIPP in addition to obtain funding to complete the project. By January 2014, Sandia had contracted with Nuclear Waste Partnerships, LLC (NWP) to provide Central Characterization Program (CCP) certified visual examination (VE) and dose-to-curie (DTC) support to package and certify the accountable material/waste. Work began on February 3, 2014 with the arrival of two VE operators. On February 5, 2014, a salt truck caught fire in the underground and on February 14, 2014, the radiological release occurred at WIPP initiating a suspension of shipments. The length of the suspension was not known at the time. Sandia was only a couple of days into this long-term project, had signed a contract with NWP for support, and was still responsible for meeting earlier negotiated milestones. There were 37 parent containers which included experimental vessels from 3 to 10 feet long and unused material pieces. The original plan was to package each of the 37 parent containers separately, but several issues, including the suspension of shipments, made it imperative that a new path forward be developed. Because space is limited in the Auxiliary Hot Cell Facility (AHCF), the storage configuration for criticality safety and material-at-risk was of the highest importance. Therefore, packaging in the fewest number of containers without exceeding WIPP limits, keeping the accountable items together, and not violating any safety basis requirements was Sandia's goal. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Imaging Faults with Reverse-Time Migration for Geothermal Exploration at Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico

The fault zones at Jemez Pueblo may dominate the flow paths of hot water, or confine the boundaries of the geothermal reservoir. Therefore, it is crucial to image the geometry of these fault zones for geothermal exploration in the area. We use reverse-time migration with a separation imaging condition to image the faults at Jemez Pueblo. A finite-difference full-wave equation method with a perfectly-matching-layer absorbing boundary condition is used for backward propagation of seismic reflection data from receivers and forward propagation of wavefields from sources. In the imaging region, the wavefields are separated into the upgoing and downgoing waves, and leftgoing and rightgoing waves. The upgoing and downgoing waves are used to obtain the downward-looking image, and the leftgoing and rightgoing waves are used to form the left-looking image and right-looking image from sources. The left-looking and right-looking images are normally weaker than the downward-looking image because the reflections from the fault zones are much weaker than those from sedimentary layers, but these migration results contain the images of the faults. We apply our reverse-time migration with a wavefield separation imaging condition to seismic data acquired at Jemez Pueblo, and our preliminary results reveal many faults in the area.

BOUNDARY CONDITIONS↗

An investigation of the acceptance of solar heating and cooling in the housing industry in New Mexico

A data base of information relating to the acceptability of solar-energy technology in the New Mexican housing industry was developed. Topics examined include: (1) the factors which influence the adoption of solar-energy systems in the New Mexican housing industry; (2) the degree of acceptability of various solar factors among New Mexican consumers, architects, contractors, financiers, energy suppliers, and governmental officials; and (3) the current attitudes toward the acceptability of solar energy factors in the New Mexican housing industry.

Lundahl, C. R.↗

Modular Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Feasibility Study for the Village of Chama, New Mexico

Attached to this cover letter is a high-level feasibility study evaluating the placement of a Modular Pumped Hydro (MPH) energy storage facility coupled with a solar PV array within the Village of Chama, NM. Originally, the intent was to evaluate co-locating a MPH facility with the new water treatment facility at Chama. However because the new water treatment facility is located at a relatively flat location with no elevation change nearby, this approach was abandoned. Instead, two other locations within the Chama community were identified. MPH pumps water from one reservoir to another reservoir located at higher elevation when energy is provided to the MPH facility, and then releases the water downhill to produce energy when desired. Any energy storage facility, independent of technology, must have access to a consistent energy production source. The reservoir surface areas associated with MPH allow solar PV panels to be co-located with the MPH facility. The study illustrates that a baseline Modular Pumped Hydro design coupled with a solar PV array is feasible to locate within the Village of Chama, NM. MPH was selected for energy storage review because of its superior performance, longevity, minimum cost to operate & maintain, potential to interface with existing or new water systems, and complementary solar siting. The volume and elevation values were selected as part of a single baseline design based on possible locations in Chama, ease of scalability to evaluate different sites, and the resulting energy storage capacity (approximately 720 kWh) could meet a significant demand of the Chama population (17% of total residences) each night of the year on average using a renewable source of energy. If a MPH facility as analyzed in this study or similar one is built, it is recommended incorporating some form of education display at the eventual MPH location to serve as public outreach to the many people who visit the Village of Chama each year. In addition, the facility described in this report can also provide unique educational opportunities for students in K through 12 to learn about energy and water interactions.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Functional and operational requirements document : building 1012, Battery and Energy Storage Device Test Facility, Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico.

This report provides an overview of information, prior studies, and analyses relevant to the development of functional and operational requirements for electrochemical testing of batteries and energy storage devices carried out by Sandia Organization 2546, Advanced Power Sources R&D. Electrochemical operations for this group are scheduled to transition from Sandia Building 894 to a new Building located in Sandia TA-II referred to as Building 1012. This report also provides background on select design considerations and identifies the Safety Goals, Stakeholder Objectives, and Design Objectives required by the Sandia Design Team to develop the Performance Criteria necessary to the design of Building 1012. This document recognizes the Architecture-Engineering (A-E) Team as the primary design entity. Where safety considerations are identified, suggestions are provided to provide context for the corresponding operational requirement(s).

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

2014 Annual Site Environmental Report Summary Pamphlet for Sandia National Laboratories New Mexico

Sandia Corporation's (Sandia's) enduring core mission is to provide science and engineering support for the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. Today, the mission encompasses additional critical aspects of national security, including developing technologies and strategies for responding to emerging threats, protecting and preventing the disruption of critical infrastructures, and supporting the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Sandia also collaborates with representatives from other government agencies, the industrial sector, and universities to develop and commercialize new technologies.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Joint Comments from the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE NNSA) Los Alamos Field Office and Triad National Security, LLC on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s New Mexico State-Wide Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Strawman General Permit

In December 2020 and March 2021, EPA issued two MS4 strawman permit drafts specific to the Los Alamos area. EPA made text changes in the 2 nd strawman permit based on stakeholder comments related to the initial draft. During the public meeting on the Los Alamos area designation decision held on February 13, 2024, EPA staff stated that comments from the past strawman permits would be incorporated into the new MS4 permit to be issued state-wide. However, it does not appear that any of the text changes from the 2 nd Los Alamos area strawman permit were included in this state-wide general MS4 strawman permit. For reference, the 2 nd Los Alamos area revised strawman permit is included with these comments as Attachment 2. Many of the following comments refer to or state EPA’s updated text included in the 2 nd Los Alamos area strawman permit. The updated text from this 2 nd strawman permit that are referenced in the following comments should be applicable state-wide and it is suggested that this past work be reconsidered and incorporated.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The Mantle and Basalt-Crust Interaction Below the Mount Taylor Volcanic Field, New Mexico

The Mount Taylor Volcanic Field (MTVF) lies on the Jemez Lineament on the southeastern margin of the Colorado Plateau. The field is centered on the Mt. Taylor composite volcano and includes Mesa Chivato to the NE and Grants Ridge to the WSW. MTVF magmatism spans approximately 3.8-1.5 Ma (K-Ar). Magmas are dominantly alkaline with mafic compositions ranging from basanite to hy-basalt and felsic compositions ranging from ne-trachyte to rhyolite. We are investigating the state of the mantle and the spatial and temporal variation in basalt-crustal interaction below the MTVF by examining mantle xenoliths and basalts in the context of new mapping and future Ar-Ar dating. The earliest dated magmatism in the field is a basanite flow south of Mt. Taylor. Mantle xenolith-bearing alkali basalts and basanites occur on Mesa Chivato and in the region of Mt. Taylor, though most basalts are peripheral to the main cone. Xenolith-bearing magmatism persists at least into the early stages of conebuilding. Preliminary examination of the mantle xenolith suite suggests it is dominantly lherzolitic but contains likely examples of both melt-depleted (harzburgitic) and melt-enriched (clinopyroxenitic) mantle. There are aphyric and crystal-poor hawaiites, some of which are hy-normative, on and near Mt. Taylor, but many of the more evolved MTVF basalts show evidence of complex histories. Mt. Taylor basalts higher in the cone-building sequence contain >40% zoned plagioclase pheno- and megacrysts. Other basalts peripheral to Mt. Taylor and at Grants Ridge contain clinopyroxene and plagioclase megacrysts and cumulate-textured xenoliths, suggesting they interacted with lower crustal cumulates. Among the questions we are addressing: What was the chemical and thermal state of the mantle recorded by the basaltic suites and xenoliths and how did it change with time? Are multiple parental basalts (Si-saturated vs. undersaturated) represented and, if so, what changes in the mantle or in the tectonic regime allowed their coexistence or caused the transition?

Schrader, Christian M.↗