Simulation of Steady-State Groundwater Flow in the Gorleben Area

Abstract

The Gorleben salt dome, near the river Elbe at the border between Lower Saxony and Brandenburg in Germany, is under investigation as a candidate site for the final disposal of radioactive waste. The diapir is crossed by an Elsterian subglacial erosion channel, which forms the lowest aquifer in the salt dome area and contains saturated brines. The salt dome is bounded in the North and the South by pronounced structural depression zones, with deepening of the Tertiary and Quaternary layers. At the bottom the aquifer system is bounded by a thick clay layer (Rupelton). Saltwater is also present in the lowermost part of the aquifer system outside of the salt dome area. The area between the infiltration zone in the South (Gartower Tannen) and the exfiltration zone in the North, West and South-West covers approximately 350 km² (see figure 1). The field investigations in the Southern part are completed, whereas the area North of the Elbe river is currently under investigation.