Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Diffusion parameters for HTO, 36Cl−, and 125I− were determined on Upper Toarcian argillite samples from the Tournemire Underground Research Laboratory (Aveyron, France) using the through diffusion technique. The direction of diffusion was parallel to the bedding plane. The purpose of the present study was 3-fold; it was intended (i) to confirm the I− interaction with Upper Toarcian argillite and to verify the effects of initial I− concentration on this affinity, as previously observed by means of radial diffusion experiments, (ii) to highlight any discrepancy between Cl− and I− diffusivity, and (iii) to investigate the effect of an increase of the ionic strength of the solution on the anionic tracers' diffusive behaviour. The results show that the effective diffusion coefficient (De) and diffusion accessible porosity (εa) values obtained with an ionic strength (I.S.) synthetic pore water of 0.01 eq L−1 are: De = 2.35-2.50 × 10−11 m2 s−1 and εa = 12.0-15.0% for HTO, and De = 14.5-15.5 × 10−13 m2 s−1 and εa = 2.5-2.9% for 36Cl−. Because of anionic exclusion effects, anions diffuse slower and exhibit smaller diffusion accessible porosities than HTO, taken as a water tracer. The associated effective diffusion coefficient (De) and rock capacity factor (α) obtained for 125I are: De = 7.00-8.60 × 10−13 m2 s−1 and α = 4.3-7.2%. Such values make it possible to calculate low 125I distribution ratios (0.0057 < RD < 0.0192 mL g−1) which confirm the trend indicating that the 125I rock capacity factor increases with the decrease of the initial I− concentration. Additional through-diffusion experiments were carried out with a higher ionic strength synthetic pore water (I.S. = 0.11 eq L−1). No evolution of HTO diffusion parameters was observed. The anionic tracers' effective diffusion coefficient increased by a factor of two but no clear evolution of their accessible porosity was observed. Such a paradox could be related to the particularly small mean pore size of the Upper Toarcian argillite of Tournemire. The most significant finding of this study is the large discrepancy (factor of two) between the values of the effective diffusion coefficient for 125I and 36Cl. Whatever the ionic strength of the synthetic solution used, 125I exhibited De values two times lower than those of 36Cl. A detailed explanation for this difference cannot be given at present even if a hypothesis based on ion-pairing or on steric-exclusion cannot be excluded. This makes questionable the assumption usually made for quantifying 125I sorption and postulating that 36Cl and 125I would diffuse in the same porosity. In other terms, at Tournemire, 125I sorption could be more pronounced than previously indicated.
ISSN: 0883-2927

hal-00757749
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00757749
DOI : 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.12.017

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : The relationship between deformation and so-called fluid paleotransfers in minor faults has been analysed in an argillaceous formation located in the Causses Basin in France. The fluid paleotransfers are related to the fault activity to a large extent. We attempt to estimate the intensity of paleo-deviatoric stress magnitudes under which the fault activity may have occurred and consequently, the change in the structural fault permeability. The paleo-deviatoric stress magnitudes were calculated with the inverse method of Etchecopar applied to calcite twinning. The measured crystals are contained within the core zone of minor faults and this study is based on a previous complete microtectonic and microstructural analysis of the faults. In this paper, analysis of calcite twinning has been applied for the first time to vein fillings associated small faults in a context of relatively weak deformation, a condition ensured by the tectonic and structural analysis. Calculation and discussion of the paleo-deviatoric stress tensors in relation to the evolution of the structural fault permeability and to the hydraulic behaviour of the faults are the aim of this paper. The analysed faults, created and active during the same tectonic event, were permeable under a (;σ;1;–;σ;3;) mean value of 40–50 MPa. On the other hand, the reactivation of faults during a second tectonic event implies mean (;σ;1;–;σ;3;) value higher than 40–50 MPa, especially for the faults that are poorly oriented with respect to the principal tectonic stress directions. The core zone of these faults remained sealed and impermeable or became permeable by development of microcracks inside the pre-existing fillings.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-00407577
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00407577
DOI : 10.1016/j.tecto.2006.09.014