Abstract
Regional hydrologic and geochemical studies indicate that ground-water flow through an evaporite confining system in the Palo Duro Basin, Texas Panhandle, and salt dissolution at the top of the evaporite confining system are important issues for siting a nuclear-waste repository in bedded salt. Data that are needed to resolve these issues include ages and sources of ground water in the salt-dissolution zone and in aquifer units overlying the evaporite confining section to determine the history of the salt-dissolution zone; permeability, hydraulic head, and water density in the upper part of the confining section to determine ground-water flow velocity; and hydro-geologic and geochemical parameters of the aquifer units and the confining system to assess the potential for migration of stored waste.