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AbstractAbstract
[en] This study attempts to make scenarios for the geochemical effects that the underground excavations in the Olkiluoto bedrock have on naturally occurring fracture mineral buffers. The excavations of underground research facilities and final repository galleries probably cause steep hydraulic gradients in some bedrock fractures. These gradients likely draw surficial waters within the fracture network and activate weathering processes deeper in rock fractures than in the natural undisturbed conditions. The present studies concentrate on the meteoric infiltration in a single rock fracture, and on the selected set of minerals believed to be significant buffers against pH/redox variations in groundwater. The modelling considers the possibility that the infiltrating meteoric water is soil water rich in dissolved inorganic carbon. Calcite, pyrite, quartz, amorphous silica, cordierite, hornblende, albite, K-feldspar, kaolinite, and illite are taken into account as reacting minerals. Simulations are done by varying the flow rate of water from 1 L/h to 100 L/h. The effects of mineral reactions onto porosity and permeability values are monitored as well. In the present study, however, the changes in physical properties of the fracture channel do not affect the flow rate of water. Furthermore, calculations also describe how cation exchange affects the studied fracture channel system. The simulations coupling the hydraulic flow and water-rock interaction were done with TOUGHREACT V1.0 code and with the EQ3/6-database implemented in the code. In part, the simulations were evaluation of the code capabilities, and verification of results to earlier PHREEQC-2 simulation results. The calculation results confirm the assumption that principal buffer against pH changes is calcite. All silicate reactions, with considered reactive surface areas, are by comparison of marginal importance. The only redox buffer in the calculations is pyrite, and consequently significant amounts of oxygen runs through the channel in all studied cases. This condition is unrealistic. In real, there are likely other oxygen consumers as well. With a significant probability no oxygen breakthrough can be detected at the depth of 500 metres with the studied flow rates. The potential redox buffers not taken into account are e.g. matrix diffusion and the microbiological redox processes that dominate within the soil layer and upper parts of bedrock. Cation exchange studies indicate that cation exchange has only a minor effect on the water composition running through the fracture channel. However, there is no experimental cation exchange capacity estimates available from the Olkiluoto fracture clays. (orig.)
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Dec 2006; 42 p; Also available in fulltext at http://www.posiva.fi/tyoraportit/WR2006-107web.pdf or as a soft back edition from Posiva Oy, Toeoeloenkatu 4, FIN-00100 Helsinki, Finland, tel. +358-9-228030; This record replaces 38100164
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