Role of micropores within minerals in retardation of mass transfer by matrix diffusion and sorption in granitic rock

Yuguchi, Takashi*; Sasao, Eiji   ; Hibara, Ryoko*; Murakami, Hiroaki  ; Ozaki, Yusuke  

Understanding the mass transfer characteristics of matrix diffusion and sorption is important in geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste in crystalline rock. We present a comparative discussion of the effective diffusion coefficient (De), porosity, and petrological data for rock samples collected from the Toki Granite in central Japan, to evaluate the role of micropores within minerals in retardation by matrix diffusion and sorption in granitic rocks. De was derived from the through-diffusion experiments. Petrological data consist of the fracture frequency, the extent of hydrothermal alteration in the minerals, the micropore volume in the minerals, and the three-dimensional modal mineralogy for the target rock samples. The relationship between the De, porosity, and petrological data has the following implications: 1) Micropores act as storage pores that contribute to retardation; 2) Once the uranine, cations, and anion penetrate the micropores in the minerals through matrix diffusion, the cations are sorbed on the micropore surfaces; 3) Regions with a high fracture frequency are associated with not only active advection-dispersion through fractures, but also retardation due to matrix diffusion and sorption.