Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T15:58:54.782Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Size distribution of FEBEX bentonite colloids upon fast disaggregation in low-ionic strength water

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Natalia Mayordomo ,
Claude Degueldre ,
Ursula Alonso  and
Tiziana Missana
Natalia Mayordomo*
Affiliation:
CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense, 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Claude Degueldre
Affiliation:
Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
Ursula Alonso
Affiliation:
CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense, 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Tiziana Missana
Affiliation:
CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense, 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
*
*E-mail: natalia.mayordomo@ciemat.es
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Bentonite colloids generated from the backfill barrier in nuclear waste repositories may act as radionuclide carriers, if they are stable and mobile. Repository scenarios with highly saline groundwater inhibit colloid stability as particles tend to aggregate but, in the time frame of repositories, groundwater conditions may evolve, promoting particle disaggregation and stabilization. The disaggregation of FEBEX bentonite colloids by fast dilution to lower ionic strength was analysed in this study. Time-resolved dynamic light-scattering experiments were carried out to evaluate the kinetics of bentonite colloid aggregation and disaggregation processes in Na+ and Na+-Ca2+ mixed electrolytes of low ionic strength. Attachment and detachment efficiencies were determined.

Aggregation is promoted by increasing ionic strength, being more efficient in the presence of divalent cations. Once bentonite colloids are aggregated, a decrease in ionic strength facilitates disaggregation, but the process is not fully reversible as the initial size of the stable bentonite colloids at low ionic strength is not fully recovered. Particle-size distribution and concentration in suspension were analysed on disaggregated samples by single particle-counting measurements. Small colloids were measured in the disaggregated samples but their population was smaller than in the initial stable sample, especially in the presence of Ca2+.

Keywords

colloidsFEBEXdisaggregationbentonitebarriernuclear-waste repositories
Type
Research Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 51 , Issue 2 , May 2016 , pp. 213 - 222
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2016 This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2016

References

Albarran, N., Missana, T., Alonso, U., García-Gutiérrez, M., Medioambiente, D. De & Complutense, A. (2013) Analysis of latex, gold and smectite colloid transport and retention in artificial fractures in crystalline rock. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 435, 115–126. Elsevier, Amsterdam.10.1016/j.colsurfa.2013.02.002CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Alonso, U., Missana, T., Patelli, A., Rigato, V. & Ravagnan, J. (2007) Colloid diffusion in crystalline rock: An experimental methodology to measure diffusion coefficients and evaluate colloid size dependence. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 259, 372–383.10.1016/j.epsl.2007.04.042Google Scholar
Attela, O. & Kozel, R. (1997) Particle size distributions in waters from a karstic aquifer: From particles to colloids. Journal of Hydrology, 201, 102–119.10.1016/S0022-1694(97)00033-4CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Backblom, G. (1991) The Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory—a step toward the Swedish final repository for high-level radioactive waste. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 6, 463–67.10.1016/0886-7798(91)90102-AGoogle Scholar
Baik, M.H., Cho, W.J. & Hahn, P.S. (2007) Erosion of bentonite particles at the interface of a compacted bentonite and a fractured granite. Engineering Geology, 91, 229–239.10.1016/j.enggeo.2007.02.002Google Scholar
Bessho, K. & Degueldre, C. (2009) Generation and sedimentation of colloidal bentonite particles in water. Applied Clay Science, 43, 253–259.10.1016/j.clay.2008.08.006Google Scholar
Brun-Cottan, J.-C. (1976) Stokes settling and dissolution rate model for marine particles as function of size distribution. Journal of Geophysical Research, 81, 1601–1606.10.1029/JC081i009p01601Google Scholar
Chen, W.-C. & Huang, W.-H. (2013) Effect of groundwater chemistry on the swelling behavior of a Ca-bentonite for deep geological repository. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 65, 42–9.10.1016/j.pce.2013.05.012Google Scholar
Degueldre, C., Baeyens, B., Goerlich, W., Riga, J., Verbist, J. & Stadelmann, P. (1989) Colloids in water from a subsurface fracture in granitic rock, Grimsel Test Site, Switzerland. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 53, 603–610.10.1016/0016-7037(89)90003-3Google Scholar
Degueldre, C., Pfeiffer, H.R., Alexander, W., Wernli, B. & Bruetsch, R. (1996a) Colloid properties in granitic groundwater systems. I: Sampling and characterisa-tion. Applied Geochemistry, 11, 677–695.10.1016/S0883-2927(96)00036-4CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Degueldre, C., Grauer, R., Laube, A., Oess, A. & Silby, H. (1996b) Colloid properties in granitic groundwater systems. II: Stability and transport study. Applied Geochemistry, 11, 697–710.10.1016/S0883-2927(96)00035-2CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Degueldre, C., Triay, I., Kim, J.-I., Vilks, P., Laaksoharju, M. & Miekeley, N. (2000) Groundwater colloid properties: a global approach. Applied Geochemistry, 15, 1043–1051.10.1016/S0883-2927(99)00102-XGoogle Scholar
Degueldre, C., Aeberhard, P., Kunze, P. & Bessho, K. (2009) Colloid generation/elimination dynamic processes: Toward a pseudo-equilibrium. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 337, 117–126.10.1016/j.colsurfa.2008.12.007Google Scholar
Dohrmann, R., Kaufhold, S. & Lundqvist, B. (2013) The role of clays for safe storage of nuclear waste. Pp. 667–710 in: Handbook of Clay Science (F. Bergaya & G. Lagaly, editors). Elsevier, Amsterdam.Google Scholar
García-García, S., Degueldre, C., Wold, S. & Frick, S. (2009) Determining pseudo-equilibrium of montmorillonite colloids in generation and sedimentation experiments as a function of ionic strength, cationic form, and elevation. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 335, 54–61.10.1016/j.jcis.2009.02.048Google Scholar
Gimeno, M.J., Auque, L.F., Acero, P. & Gómez, J.B. (2014) Hydrogeochemical characterisation and modelling of groundwaters in a potential geological repository for spent nuclear fuel in crystalline rocks (Laxemar, Sweden). Applied Geochemistry, 45, 50–71.10.1016/j.apgeochem.2014.03.003CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gómez, J.B., Gimeno, M.J., Auqué, L.F. & Acero, P. (2014) Characterisation and modelling of mixing processes in groundwaters of a potential geological repository for nuclear wastes in crystalline rocks of Sweden. Science of the Total Environment, 468-469, 791–803.10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.09.007Google Scholar
Gregory, J. (2006) Particles in water: Properties and Processes. Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.Google Scholar
Hawley, N. (1982) Settling velocity distribution of natural aggregates. Journal of Geophysical Research, 87, 9489.10.1029/JC087iC12p09489Google Scholar
Hiemenz, P.C. & Rajagopalan, R. (1997) Principles of Colloid & Surface Chemistry. Third edition. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York.10.1201/9781315274287Google Scholar
Huber, F., Noseck, U. & Schäfer, T. (2014) Colloid/ nanoparticle formation and mobility in the context of deep geological nuclear waste disposal. Project KOLLORADO-2 Final Report.Google Scholar
Huertas, F., Fuentes-Santillana, J.L., Jullien, F., Rivas, P., Linares, J., Fariña, P., Ghoreychi, M., Jockwer, N., Kickmaier, W., Martínez, M., Samper, J., Alonso, E. & Elorza, F.J. (2000) FEBEX project final report, EUR 19147. Madrid.Google Scholar
Jonasz, M. (2007) Light Scattering by Particles in Water: Theoretical and Experimental Foundations. Elsevier, Amsterdam.10.1016/B978-012388751-1/50004-1Google Scholar
Kaufhold, S. & Dohrmann, R. (2008) Detachment of colloidal particles from bentonites in water. Applied Clay Science, 39, 50–59.10.1016/j.clay.2007.04.008CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kersting, A.B., Efurd, D.W., Finnegan, D.L., Rokop, D.J., Smith, D.K. & Thompson, J.L. (1999) Migration of plutonium in ground water at the Nevada Test Site. Nature, 397, 56–59.10.1038/16231Google Scholar
Lagaly, G. & Ziesmer, S. (2003) Colloid chemistry of clay minerals: The coagulation of montmorillonite dispersions. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 100-102, 105–128.10.1016/S0001-8686(02)00064-7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lerman, A. (1979) Geochemical Processes. Water and Sediment Environment. Cambridge University Press, New York.Google Scholar
McCarthy, J.F. & Zachara, J.M. (1989) Subsurface transport of contaminants: binding to mobile and immobile phases in groundwater aquifers. Environmental Science & Technology, 23, 496–502.Google Scholar
McDowell-Boyer, L.M. (1992) Chemical mobilization of micron-sized particles in saturated porous media under steady flow conditions. Environmental Science & Technology, 26, 586–593.10.1021/es00027a023CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Missana, T. & Adell, A. (2000) On the applicability of DLVO theory to the prediction of clay colloids stability. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 230, 150–156.10.1006/jcis.2000.7003Google Scholar
Missana, T., Alonso, U. & Turrero, M.J. (2003) Generation and stability of bentonite colloids at the bentonite/ granite interface of a deep geological radioactive waste repository. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 61, 17–31.10.1016/S0169-7722(02)00110-9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Missana, T., Alonso, U. & García-Gutiérrez, M. (2009) Experimental study and modelling of selenite sorption onto illite and smectite clays. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 334, 132–8.10.1016/j.jcis.2009.02.059Google Scholar
Missana, T., Alonso, U., Albarran, N., García-Gutiérrez, M. & Cormenzana, J.L. (2011) Analysis of colloids erosion from the bentonite barrier of a high level radioactive waste repository and implications in safety assessment. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 36, 1607–1615.10.1016/j.pce.2011.07.088Google Scholar
Novich, B.E. (1984) Colloid stability of clays using photon correlation spectroscopy. Clays and Clay Minerals, 32, 400–406.10.1346/CCMN.1984.0320508Google Scholar
Novikov, A.P., Kalmykov, S.N., Utsunomiya, S., Ewing, R.C., Horreard, F., Merkulov, A., Clark, S.B., Tkachev, V.V. & Myasoedov, B.F. (2006) Colloid transport of plutonium in the far-field of the Mayak Production Association, Russia. Science (New York, N.Y.), 314, 638–641.10.1126/science.1131307CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Penrose, W.R., Polzer, W.L., Essington, E.H., Nelson, D.M. & Orlandini, K.A. (1990) Mobility of plutonium and americium through a shallow aquifer in a semiarid region. Environmental Science and Technology, 24, 228–234.10.1021/es00072a012Google Scholar
Rossé, P. & Loizeau, J.-L. (2003) Use of single particle counters for the determination of the number and size distribution of colloids in natural surface waters. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 217, 109–120.10.1016/S0927-7757(02)00565-4CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ryan, J.N. & Elimelech, M. (1996) Colloid mobilization and transport in groundwater. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 107, 1—56.10.1016/0927-7757(95)03384-XGoogle Scholar
Tombácz, E. & Szekeres, M. (2004) Colloidal behavior of aqueous montmorillonite suspensions: The specific role of pH in the presence of indifferent electrolytes. Applied Clay Science, 27, 75–94.10.1016/j.clay.2004.01.001Google Scholar
Van Beek, C.G.E.M., de Zwart, A.H., Balemans, M., Kooiman, J.W., van Rosmalen, C., Timmer, H., Vandersluys, I. & Stuyfzand, P.J. (2010) Concentration and size distribution of particles in abstracted groundwater. Water Research, 44, 868–878.10.1016/j.watres.2009.09.045CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vilks, P. & Miller, N.H. (2009) Limited Bentonite and Latex Colloid Migration Experiments in a Granite Fracture on a Metre Scale to Evaluate Effects of Particle Size and Flow. Nuclear Waste Management Organization TR-2009-26.Google Scholar