Water permeability and related rock properties measured on core samples from the Yucca Mountain USW GU-3/G-3 and USW G-4 boreholes, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

Core samples were measured for bulk density, grain density, porosity, resistivity, and water permeability as part of a comprehensive geologic investigation designed to determine the suitability of Yucca Mountain as a site for the containment of high-level radioactive waste products. The cores were selected at the drill sites so as to be representative of the major lithologic variations observed within stratigraphic units of the Paintbrush Tuff, Calico Hills Tuff, Crater Flat Tuff, Lithic Ridge Tuff, and Older Tuffs. Dry and saturated bulk density, grain density, and porosity measurements were made on the core samples principally to establish that a reasonable uniformity exists in the textural and mineral character of the sample pairs. Electrical resistivity measured on sample pairs tended to be lower along the plane transverse to the vertical axis of the drill core herein referred to as the horizontal plane. Permeability values, ranging from virtually zero (<.02 microdarcies) to over 200 millidarcies, also indicate a preferential flow direction along the horizontal plane of the individual tuff units. Permeability decreases with flow duration in all but the non-welded tuffs as unconsolidated particles within the pore network are repositioned so as to impede the continued flow of water through the rock. Reversing flow direction initially restores the permeability of the rock to its original or maximum value