SMARAGD. The Study of Mineral Alterations of clay barriers used for Radwaste storage and its Geological Disposal. Final activity report

The SMARAGD (The Study of Mineral Alterations of clay barriers used for Radwaste storage and its Geological Disposal) project is focused on the mineralogical and geochemical study of Boom Clay - a reference host formation for research purposes and for the assessment of the deep disposal of high-level and/or long-lived radioactive waste in Belgium. In this respect, the Boom Clay is studied as an undisturbed rock and after geochemical perturbations. A new approach is presented for quantitative mineralogical analysis of undisturbed Boom Clay - a QXRD (Quantitative X-ray Diffraction Analysis). The other novel concept involves the application of Cu-trien method to measure Cation Exchange Capacities in Boom Clay. The results on the quantitative mineralogy and Cation Exchange Capacities are compared with the previously reported data. The second part of the report is devoted to geochemical perturbations, which occur as a result of the engineering activities related to the construction and operation of the underground facilities. The geochemical perturbations may trigger mineral alterations thus having the ultimate effect on the host rock properties. This study documents the mineralogical and geochemical changes due to oxidation and alkaline plume effects.