Bentonite as a colloid source in groundwaters at Olkiluoto

In this work bentonite was studied as a potential source of colloids in Olkiluoto groundwaters. Samples were collected at two groundwater stations, PVA1 at 37.5 m dept and PVA3 at 95.6 m depth, in the VLJ-tunnel. The deeper groundwater at PVA3 was more saline (2.6g/L of Cl-) than the shallow at PVA1 (0.8g/L of Cl-). A bentonite source had been assembled at each groundwater station so that two sample lines were available for water samples; one for collecting a sample before and the other for collecting a sample after interaction with bentonite. Before starting the actual colloid sampling groundwaters from both sample lines at both stations were analysed. Only minor alterations, mostly within the uncertainty limits of the analysis methods, were brought about in the water chemistries after interaction with the bentonite sources. The only clear changes were seen in the concentration of iron which decreased after interaction with bentonite in the groundwaters at both stations. After groundwater sampling the actual colloid sampling was performed. The water samples were collected and treated inside a movable nitrogen filled glove-box. The samples could be collected from each sampling line directly in the glove-box via two quick-couplings that had been assembled on the front face of the box. The sample lines had been assembled with 0.45 μm filters before entering the glove-box, because only colloids smaller than 0.45 μm were of interest, as they are not prone to sedimentation in slow groundwater flows and therefore could act as potential radionuclide carriers. Colloid samples were collected and treated similarly from both sampling lines at both groundwater stations. For estimating the colloid content the groundwater samples were filtered with centrifugal ultrafiltration tubes of different cut-off values (0.3 μm, 300kD and 10kD). The ultrafiltrations produced the colloid-containing concentrate fractions and the soluble substances-containing filtrate fractions. In addition to the ultrafiltrations some Nuclepore filter membranes with different cut-off values (0.4 μm, 0.2 μm, 0.1 μm and 0.05 μm) were prepared for SEM/EDS examination. The results of the groundwater samples collected before interaction with bentonite indicated that iron and aluminium were also associated with colloidal species, for example with SiO2, clay mineral or/and calcite colloids. The estimated size range of the colloids was from 50nm up to 400nm in PVA1 and in the more saline PVA3 up to 300nm (SEM). The estimate of Fe-associated colloids in PVA1 was 0.8mg/L and Alassociated colloids 0.004mg/L, whereas, in PVA3 the corresponding concentrations were clearly lower, 0.07mg/L and 0.001mg/L, respectively. After bentonite interaction bentonite colloids were detected (EDS) only in PVA1 groundwater. The size of the colloids varied from about 50nm up to about 200nm (SEM). However, the upper size limit was difficult to estimate due to large aggregates. No clear indication of bentonite colloids was obtained in PVA3 samples, but the element composition (EDS) indicated that minor amounts could be present. In PVA1 the estimated amount of Fe-associated colloids was 0.4mg/L and the amount of Al associated colloids was 0.001mg/L, whereas, in PVA3 the contents were 0.06mg/L and 0.001mg/L, respectively. Overall, the estimated concentrations of colloids in the studied size range (<0.45 μm) were small in both groundwaters and interaction with bentonite somewhat decreased the amount of Fe- and Al-associated colloids. However, the decrease in the colloid amount was more prominent in the case of the fresh PVA1 groundwater, which contained a little more to begin with. The salinity of groundwater affected the amount of colloids; more saline - less colloids. Bentonite colloids released from the bentonite source were detected only in the fresh PVA1 groundwater, but the amount was too small for obtaining an assessment of the concentration.