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U Series Concentration Distributions Around Rock Fractures—Qualitative Indication of Matrix Diffusion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Juhani Suksi
Affiliation:
University of Helsinki, Department of Radiochemistry, P.O. Box 5, FIN–00014 UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI,
Leena Saarinen
Affiliation:
University of Helsinki, Department of Radiochemistry, P.O. Box 5, FIN–00014 UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI,
Timo Ruskeeniemi
Affiliation:
Geological Survey of Finland, FIN–02150 ESPOO,
Kari Rasilainen
Affiliation:
VTT Energy, P.O. Box 1604, FIN–02044 VTT
Marja Siitari-Kauppi
Affiliation:
University of Helsinki, Department of Radiochemistry, P.O. Box 5, FIN–00014 UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI,
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Abstract

Concentrations of U series nuclides (238U, 234U, 230Th, 226Ra and 231Pa) across secondary U accumulations in rock matrix around water-carrying fractures were examined to find records of radionuclide movement. The accumulations, loaded in rock pores, were separated without dissolving the host rock. The concentration profiles observed, form patterns which point to both “old” and “young” U accumulations and, moreover, post accumulation movement of certain radionuclides. In the case of the young U accumulation, shown to have occurred between 10,000 and 33,000 years ago, the apparent diffusivity of Da=6.10-15 m2/s for U could be calculated.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1995

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References

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