Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
A geochemical model has been developed to describe the interactions of the main elements released from the COGEMA R7T7 SON68 glass with the Boom Clay environment and predict the formation of secondary phases which may influence the glass corrosion. It is based on two submodels: a model describing the interaction between the clay and its porewater, and a model for glass corrosion in groundwater. According to the calculations, no secondary minerals are predicted to precipitate when glass dissolves in the Boom Clay. The oncentrations of the main elements released from the glass are controlled by stable phases present in the Boom Clay (a.o. Si, Al) or by cation exchange reactions (e.g. Na). The concentration of silica in solution can be maintained below the glass silicon solubility limit. Therefore, the Boom Clay can suppress the saturation of silica, explaining the enhancing effect of Boom Clay on glass corrosion. The influence of the presence of clay on the other components of the glass is also discussed.