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Laboratory and Modelling Studies of Sodium Benionite Grounmater Interaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

M. Sneujman
Affiliation:
Technical Research Centre of Finland, Reactor Laboratory, SF-02150 Espoo, Finland
H. Uotiia
Affiliation:
Technical Research Centre of Finland, Reactor Laboratory, SF-02150 Espoo, Finland
J. Rantanen
Affiliation:
Technical Research Centre of Finland, Reactor Laboratory, SF-02150 Espoo, Finland
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Abstract

According to the present Finnish concept sodium bentonite will be used as a buffer material in the repository for high-level waste. Experimental and theoretical studies treating the effect of bentonite upon the chemical conditions in a repository have been initiated with the object of specifying the chemistry of the near field.

Sodium bentonite was let react with water under anaerobic conditions at 25°C for 540 days, during which time six fluid samples were extracted for the chemical analysis of 15 chemical species. The generated fluid phase was alkaline (PH = 9…10) and contained a high amount of bicarbonate. Also a low redox-potential was measured. The fluid phase chemistry was investigated using the geochemical code PHREEM. Calcite saturation was observed in all fluid samples.

A modelling of sodium bentonite interaction with water based on the main mineral components of bentonite was also performed with PHREEQE. A fairly good agreement between experimental results and model calculations was observed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1987

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