Diffusion experiment using block sample of the Toki granite

Hama, Katsuhiro ; Iwasaki, Riyo*; Morikawa, Keita*

Tono Geoscience Center of Japan Atomic Energy Agency has been carrying out the Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory Project. The goal of mass transport study is to obtain a better understanding of mass transport phenomena in the geological environment as well as to develop technologies for measurement of the mass transport parameters, model construction, numerical analysis and validation of those technologies. This experiment was planned to understand the influence of the microscopic structure in the rock mass on the mass transport property. The diffusion experiment using rock sample was carried out. The macroscopic and microscopic observations were carried out to understand the distribution of tracer (uranine) after the diffusion experiment. The uranine was observed in the plagioclase, in the grain boundary and in the microfracture in the mineral grains. These results suggested that distribution of mineral and of microfracture could affect the diffusion property of uranine.