Article
Environmental Sciences
Max Jaquenoud, William T. Elam, Tim Grundl, Thomas Gimmi, Andreas Jakob, Senecio Schefer, Veerle Cloet, Pierre De Canniere, Luc R. Van Loon, Olivier X. Leupin
Summary: The Mont Terri rock laboratory has conducted extensive experimental research over the past two decades, focusing on improving our understanding of radionuclide transport within Opalinus Clay. The latest DR-B experiment utilizes in-situ X-ray fluorescence to monitor an iodide plume within the Opalinus Clay, providing a novel method for large-scale and long-term data acquisition.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lukas M. Keller
Summary: The role of surface roughness in fractures is important for understanding the hydromechanical behavior, with different closure mechanisms affecting permeability and fracture compliance. Fracture surfaces in Opalinus Clay show fractal-like characteristics, while different closure mechanisms have varying effects on hydromechanical properties. Plastic deformation plays a significant role in fracture closure by compression in clay rocks, with simulations predicting permeability changes with different confining pressures.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Tao Yuan, Cornelius Fischer
Summary: This study investigates the influence of sedimentary and diagenetic heterogeneity on heterogeneous diffusion in sandy facies of Opalinus Clay (OPA) using a multi-scale modeling approach. The results show that diffusion is faster in clay laminae and slower in carbonate lenses and sand laminae. The presence of carbonate lenses has a specific effect on the homogenization of diffusion.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Philipp Braun, Pierre Delage, Siavash Ghabezloo, Baptiste Chabot, Nathalie Conil, Minh-Ngoc Vu
Summary: This study reproduces complex coupled thermo-hydromechanical (THM) loading paths in the laboratory to investigate the behavior of clay rocks under the conditions of geological radioactive waste repositories. By controlling radial and axial stresses, pore pressure, and temperature using a specially designed triaxial system, the study is able to maintain axial effective tension on the specimens. The results show that the fracture of clay rocks under effective tension occurs at an average stress of around 3.0 MPa.
ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lukas M. Keller
Summary: The Opalinus Clay unit in Switzerland was selected as the host rock for a repository for nuclear waste. X-ray images of drill cores were statistically analyzed to understand the compositional variations. To predict the behavior of the repository, effective properties of Opalinus Clay need to be known, but a single sample does not provide a reliable mean composition due to the variation of composition in different layers. Therefore, several handleable samples must be averaged. CT values of X-ray data were calibrated with respect to rock composition, but using data from different rock types can lead to erroneous results.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tao Yuan, Cornelius Fischer
Summary: This study proposes an upscaling workflow that integrates transport simulations at both the nanometer-scale and the micrometer scale to predict effective diffusivities in sedimentary rocks. The spatial variabilities at the pore scale of more complex sediments are now addressed in this proposed approach for studying heterogeneous diffusion patterns. Additionally, the increase of effective diffusivity in shales due to increased pore space, reduced tortuosity, and an increased sheet silicate concentration compared to other rock components is revealed through sensitivity studies.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Philipp Krejci, Thomas Gimmi, Luc Robert Van Loon
Summary: Cation diffusion coefficients in clayey materials may be higher than water tracers, especially for cations strongly adsorbed on clay surfaces. The study highlights the challenges in applying Fick's law to cation diffusion in clays and emphasizes the need for a consistent description for predicting experiments under different conditions.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Review
Nuclear Science & Technology
Lotanna Ohazuruike, Kyung Jae Lee
Summary: This study aims to provide a comprehensive review on the illitization process of bentonite, covering basic clay mineralogy, smectite expansion, mechanisms and observation of illitization, and illitization in Engineered Barrier Systems (EBS). Understanding of smectite illitization is crucial for securing the safety and integrity of nuclear waste disposal systems using bentonite buffer. This thorough review study is expected to provide essential and concise information for the preventive EBS design.
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
M. Williams, M. Ziegler, Stephan Schennen, S. Loew
Summary: The text presents the results of seismic experiments conducted in two excavation damaged zones (EDZs) in Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory. The findings provide valuable insights into the integrity of the rock mass surrounding the excavation and its implications for mid-term safety assessments.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Otto Fabritius, Eini Puhakka, Xiaodong Li, Anita Nurminen, Marja Siitari-Kauppi
Summary: The sorption of Ra on Olkiluoto biotite in the context of deep geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel was studied with isotherm batch sorption experiments. Experimental results show that the distribution coefficients of Ra tend to decrease in higher isotherm concentrations of Ba in both fresh and saline reference groundwaters. A PHREEQC multi-site complexation model and molecular modeling with CASTEP code were used to interpret the experimental sorption results. The data can be used in safety case calculations for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Till Bollermann, Tao Yuan, Johannes Kulenkampff, Thorsten Stumpf, Cornelius Fischer
Summary: In this study, a cross-scale approach was used to reconstruct the pore network geometries of the sandy facies of Opalinus Clay rock. Numerical analysis of diffusive transport was performed using the reconstructed pore network data, and the results were validated through PET and μ-CT diffusion experiments. This study provides a useful method and validation for groundwater migration analysis in argillaceous rocks.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Konrad Molodtsov, Maximilian Demnitz, Stefan Schymura, Filip Jankovsky, Milan Zuna, Vaclava Havlova, Moritz Schmidt
Summary: The interaction of Eu(III) with migmatized gneiss from the Bukov Underground Research Facility in Czech Republic was studied using microfocus time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy. The results showed that sorption on the heterogeneous material is not dominated by major constituent minerals like quartz and feldspar, but instead by minor phases such as chlorite and prehnite. This competition of mineral surfaces for adsorbing cations drives the metal distribution in heterogeneous systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Farah Anjum, Muhammad Yasin Naz, Abdul Ghaffar, Kashif Kamran, Shazia Shukrullah, Sami Ullah
Summary: This article examines the role of thermophysical properties of building materials in energy transfer and mitigation of environmental risks, reviewing factors such as rocks, salt weathering, and sintering time, while also exploring issues related to energy saving and mechanical strength in the construction of eco-friendly and thermally insulated bricks using waste materials.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. Montes, E. Pavon, A. Cota, Alba
Summary: The study evaluated the influence of clay minerals on the retention of Zr(IV) in nuclear waste, and found three immobilization mechanisms including cation exchange, precipitation/crystallization, and chemical interaction. This is of significant importance for waste management and environmental risk control.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Esperanza Pavon, Maria D. Alba
Summary: This study aims to predict the immobilization behavior of zirconium by clay minerals and investigate the influence of factors such as zirconium cation nature, temperature, time, and pH on the immobilization process.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Thomas Gimmi, Sergey V. Churakov
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
A. Shafizadeh, T. Gimmi, L. R. Van Loon, A. P. Kaestner, U. K. Maeder, S. Churakov
CEMENT AND CONCRETE RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christophe Tournassat, Carl Steefel, Thomas Gimmi
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
F. Eichinger, T. Gimmi, A. Mori, J. Ruedi
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Pietro Luraschi, Thomas Gimmi, Luc R. Van Loon, Amir Shafizadeh, Sergey Churakov
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Max Jaquenoud, William T. Elam, Tim Grundl, Thomas Gimmi, Andreas Jakob, Senecio Schefer, Veerle Cloet, Pierre De Canniere, Luc R. Van Loon, Olivier X. Leupin
Summary: The Mont Terri rock laboratory has conducted extensive experimental research over the past two decades, focusing on improving our understanding of radionuclide transport within Opalinus Clay. The latest DR-B experiment utilizes in-situ X-ray fluorescence to monitor an iodide plume within the Opalinus Clay, providing a novel method for large-scale and long-term data acquisition.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lidia Fernandez-Rojo, Josep M. Soler, Gabriela Davila, M. Carme Chaparro, Ignasi Queralt, Jordi Cama
Summary: This study investigated the geochemical alteration between wellbore Portland cement and various rocks under different CO2 storage conditions. Results showed that cement dissolution varied under atmospheric and supercritical conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
J. M. Soler, I. Neretnieks, L. Moreno, L. Liu, S. Meng, U. Svensson, A. Iraola, H. Ebrahimi, P. Trinchero, J. Molinero, P. Vidstrand, G. Deissmann, J. Riha, M. Hokr, A. Vetesnik, D. Vopalka, L. Gvozdik, M. Polak, D. Trpkosova, V. Havlova, D. -k. Park, S. -h. Ji, Y. Tachi, T. Ito, B. Gylling, G. W. Lanyon
Summary: The SKB GroundWater Flow and Transport of Solutes Task Force conducted in situ matrix diffusion experiments in crystalline rock in Finland to study groundwater flow and tracer transport modeling. The experimental results demonstrated sensitivity of peak values to dispersion in the borehole annulus, while information on diffusion and retention in the matrix was obtained from the tails of the breakthrough curves.
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Cristina Villanova-de-Benavent, Jordi Cama, Josep M. Soler, Cristina Domenech, Salvador Gali, Joaquin A. Proenza
Summary: In this study, the dissolution kinetics of three types of garnierite were tested using flow-through experiments. The results showed that the dissolution rates decreased with increasing pH. The findings provide valuable information for accurate modeling of geochemical reactive transport.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Cristina Domenech, Cristina Villanova-de-Benavent, Joaquin A. Proenza, Esperanca Tauler, Laura Lara, Salvador Gali, Josep M. Soler, Marc Campeny, Jordi Ibanez-Insa
Summary: Cobalt demand is increasing due to its role in the transition to clean energies. It is mainly associated with Mn-oxyhydroxide minerals, and its extraction efficiency depends on the correct identification of these minerals.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jiaqi Xu, Elina Ceballos, Jordi Cama, Josep M. Soler
Summary: CO2 geological storage is a potential solution to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentration. The interaction between CO2-rich water, cement, and rock formations can lead to cement and rock alteration and the precipitation of secondary minerals. However, the stability of cement and mafic rocks under acidic conditions has not been thoroughly investigated.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Elina Ceballos, Jordi Cama, Josep M. Soler, Robert Frei
Summary: Our study focused on the leaching processes of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in contaminated soil, resulting in groundwater contamination. Characterization of the soil using various techniques revealed that the main source of Cr was solid waste in the upper meter of the soil. Flow-through and column experiments were conducted to understand the release and mobility of Cr(VI), and numerical simulations helped interpret these processes. The accurate characterization of these processes is crucial for effectively mitigating Cr(VI) mobility in contaminated soils.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Josep M. Soler, Pekka Kekalainen, Veli-Matti Pulkkanen, Luis Moreno, Aitor Iraola, Paolo Trinchero, Milan Hokr, Jakub Riha, Vaclava Havlova, Dagmar Trpkosova, Ales Vetesnik, Dusan Vopalka, Libor Gvozdik, Martin Milicky, Michal Polak, Yuta Fukatsu, Tsuyoshi Ito, Yukio Tachi, Urban Svensson, Dong Kyu Park, Sung-Hoon Ji, Bjorn Gylling, G. William Lanyon
Summary: The REPRO-TDE test was conducted at a depth of 400 m in Finland's ONKALO underground research facility. Synthetic groundwater with radionuclide tracers was circulated for 4 years in an injection borehole. Eleven teams participated in a modeling exercise, using different concepts and approaches. General conclusions from the back-analysis calculations include the need for reduced diffusion coefficients for some tracers and the observation of large differences between theoretical and measured values.
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Atefeh Vafaie, Jordi Cama, Josep M. Soler, Iman R. Kivi, Victor Vilarrasa
Summary: Geological carbon storage is a crucial technology for achieving the net-zero emission target and climate change neutrality. Injected CO2 in geological formations undergoes chemical reactions with minerals, which can impact the properties of rocks and affect reservoir and wellbore integrity, injectivity, and sealing capacity. Laboratory experiments provide valuable insights into the short-term alteration mechanisms of rocks and are essential for understanding and upscaling the chemo-hydro-mechanical processes of CO2 storage.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Geology
Josep Soler, Shuo Meng, Luis Moreno, Ivars Neretnieks, Longcheng Liu, Pekka Kekalainen, Milan Hokr, Jakub Riha, Ales Vetesnik, Dan Reimitz, Jakub Visnak, Dusan Vopalka, Klaus-Peter Krohn, Yukio Tachi, Tsuyoshi Ito, Urban Svensson, Aitor Iraola, Paolo Trinchero, Mikko Voutilainen, Guido Deissmann, Dirk Bosbach, Dong Kyu Park, Sung-Hoon Ji, Libor Gvozdik, Martin Milicky, Michal Polak, Bjorn Gylling, G. William Lanyon
Summary: This study compares and analyzes results from a modeling exercise on the transport and retention of various radionuclide tracers in crystalline rock. Ten modeling teams provided results using different concepts and codes, leading to important conclusions about the role of micro-fractures and centimeter-scale fractures in the transport of weakly sorbing tracers. Re-evaluation of experimental data and analysis of different model results played a crucial role in drawing these conclusions.
