Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Best practice methods for the chemical and isotopic characterisation of porewater in low-permeability bedrock

Bewährte Methoden zur chemischen und isotopischen Charakterisierung von Porenwässern in niedrig permeablen Wirtsgesteinen

  • Übersichtsbeitrag
  • Published:
Grundwasser Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sedimentary and crystalline rock formations are currently being intensely investigated in several countries as potential host rocks for deep geological repositories for radioactive wastes. An important aspect of investigations is to characterise and understand the movement and compositions of water in these rocks—both mobile groundwater in aquifers and faults/fractures, and immobile porewater in the matrix of intact rock. Non-reactive solutes, primarily Cl and Br, water isotope ratios, and dissolved helium are ‘natural tracers’ of diffusive transport and exchange between groundwater and porewater.

Recent developments of techniques for extracting and analysing porewaters from carefully preserved drill cores are summarised in this paper. It identifies practical challenges and suggests best practice strategies based on experience gained by various national research and repository programs in crystalline and sedimentary rocks.

Zusammenfassung

Sediment- und Kristallingesteinsformationen sind derzeitig international im Fokus von intensiven Untersuchungen zur Eignung als mögliche Wirtsgesteine für die Lagerung von radioaktiven Abfällen. Dabei gelten die Untersuchungen zur Charakterisierung und zum Verständnis von Wassermigration in den Gesteinskompartimenten, sowohl als Grundwasser als auch als Porenwasser in der Gesteinsmatrix, als wichtige Bausteine. Nicht-reaktive gelöste Inhaltsstoffe wie Chlorid, Bromid und Helium sowie die stabilen Wasserisotope werden hierbei als „natürliche Tracer“ genutzt, um den diffusiven Transport und den Austausch zwischen Grund- und Porenwasser zu charakterisieren.

Neueste Technikentwicklungen zur Extraktion und Analyse von Porenwässern an sorgfältig präservierten Bohrkernen werden im folgenden Beitrag erläutert und zusammengefasst. Dabei werden praktische Herausforderungen und Vorschläge für das optimale Vorgehen vorgestellt, welche auf Erfahrungen aus unterschiedlichen nationalen Endlager-Untersuchungsprogrammen in Kristallin- und Sedimentgesteinen basieren.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1 Abb. 1
Fig. 2 Abb. 2
Fig. 3 Abb. 3
Fig. 4 Abb. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altinier, M.V., Savoye, S., Michelot, J.-L., Beaucaire, C., Massault, M., Tessier, D., Waber, H.N.: The isotopic composition of argillaceous rock pore-water: an inter-comparison study on the Tournemire argillite (France). Phys. Chem. Earth 32, 209–218 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Andra: Référentiel géologique du site de Meuse/Haute Marne. Andra report A RP ADS 99–005. Andra, Châtenay-Malabry (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  • Andra: Callovo-Oxfordien—Rapport de synthèse, Laboratoire de recherche souterrain de Meuse/Haute Marne. Andra report D.RP.ADPE.04.1110. Andra, Châtenay-Malabry (2005a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Andra: Dossier: Référentiel du Site Meuse/Haute Marne—Tome 3: L’évolution naturelle du site de Meuse/Haute Marne. Andra report C.RP.ADS.04.0022/A. Andra, Châtenay-Malabry (2005b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Appelo, C.A.J.: Chemistry of water expelled from compacting clay layers: A model based on Donnan equilibrium. Chem Geol 19, 91–98 (1977)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Appelo, C.A.J., Van Loon, L.R., Wersin, P.: Multicomponent diffusion of a suite of tracers (HTO, Cl, Br, I, Na, Sr, Cs) in a single sample of Opalinus Clay. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 74, 1201–1219 (2010)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aschwanden, L., Waber, H.N., Eichinger, F., Gimmi, T.: Isotope diffusive exchange experiments for deriving porewater isotope composition in low-permeability rocks—improvements in experimental procedure and data processing. Appl. Geochemistry (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2023.105844

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bath, A.: Hydrochemical Characterisation of argillaceous rocks. In: Proceedings OECD-NEA workshop on determination of hydraulic and Hydrochemical characteristics of argillaceous rocks, pp. 77–92. OECD/NEA,, Paris (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bensenouci, F., Michelot, J.L., Matray, J.M., Savoye, S., Lavielle, B., Thomas, B., Dick, P.: A profile of helium‑4 concentration in pore-water for assessing the transport phenomena through an argillaceous formation (Tournemire, France). Phys. Chem. Earth 36, 1521–1530 (2011)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bigler, T., Ihly, B., Lehmann, B.E., Waber, H.N.: Helium production and transport in the low-permeability Callovo-Oxfordian shale at the site Meuse/haute Marne, France. Nagra, Wettingen (2005). Arbeitsbericht

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodin, J., Delay, F., de Marsily, G.: Solute transport in a single fracture with negligible matrix permeability: 1. fundamental mechanisms. Hydrogeol J 11, 418–433 (2003)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Celejewski, M., Scott, L., Al, T.: An absorption method for extraction and characterization of porewater from low-permeability rocks using cellulosic sheets. Appl. Geochem. 49, 22–30 (2014)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Celejewski, M., Barton, D., Tom, A.: Measurement of cl− : br− ratios in the Porewater of clay-rich rocks—A comparison of the crush-and-leach and the paper-absorption methods. Geofluids (2018). Article ID 9682042 https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9682042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, I., Mohapatra, R., Mohammadzadeh, M., Kotzer, T.: Porewater and gas analysis in DGR‑1 and DGR‑2 core. NWMO technical report, vol. TR-07–21. NWMO, Toronto (2010a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, I., Liu, I., Mohammadzadeh, M., Mohapatra, R., Zhang, P., Wilk, M.: Porewater and gas analyses in DGR‑3 and DGR‑4 core. NWMO technical report, vol. TR-08–19. NWMO, Toronto (2010b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, I., Jackson, R., Liu, I., Heagle, D.: Vacuum distillation experiments on DGR core. NWMO technical report, vol. TR-08–37. NWMO, Toronto (2010c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, I.D., Al, T., Jensen, M., Kennell, L., Mazurek, M., Mohapatra, R., Raven, K.G.: Palaeozoic-aged brine and authigenic helium preserved in an Ordovician shale aquiclude. Geology 41, 951–954 (2013)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Haller, A., Hobbs, M., Spangenberg, J.: Adapting the diffusive exchange method for stable isotope analysis of porewater to brine-saturated rocks. Chem. Geol. 444, 37–48 (2016)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Domenico, P.A., Schwartz, F.W.: Physical and chemical hydrogeology. Wiley & Sons Inc, New York (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichinger, F.: Matrix Porewater in Olkiluoto bedrock from drilling OL-KR58. Posiva working report, vol. 2021–03. Posiva Oy, Olkiluoto (2021). available at www.posiva.fi

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichinger, F., Waber, H.N.: Matrix Porewater in crystalline rocks: extraction and analysis. NWMO technical report, vol. TR 2013–23. NWMO, Toronto (2013). available at www.nwmo.ca

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichinger, F., Waber, H.N., Smellie, J.A.T.: Characterisation of matrix Porewater at the Olkiluoto investigation site, Finland. Posiva working report, vol. 2006–103. Posiva Oy, Olkiluoto (2006). available at www.posiva.fi

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichinger, F., Hämmerli, J., Waber, H.N., Diamond, L.W., Smellie, J.A.T.: Characterisation of matrix porewater and fluid inclusions in Olkiluoto bedrock from drilling OL-KR47. Posiva working report, vol. 2010–58. Posiva Oy, Olkiluoto (2010). available at www.posiva.fi

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichinger, F., Hämmerli, J., Waber, H.N., Diamond, L.W., Smellie, J.A.T.: Chemistry and dissolved gases of matrix porewater and fluid inclusions in Okliluoto bedrock from drillhole ONK-PH9. Posiva working report, vol. 2011–63. Posiva Oy, Olkiluoto (2011). available at www.posiva.fi

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichinger, F., Waber, H.N., Smellie, J.A.T.: Matrix porewater in low permeable crystalline bedrock: an archive for the Palaeohydrogeological evolution of the Olkiluoto investigation site. In: Isotopes in hydrology, marine ecosystems and climate change studies, vol. 1, pp. 73–82. IAEA, Vienna (2013a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichinger, F., Waber, H.N., Smellie, J.A.T.: Origin and evolution of reactive and noble gases dissolved in matrix porewater. In: Isotopes in hydrology, marine ecosystems and climate change studies, vol. 2, pp. 99–108. IAEA, Vienna (2013b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichinger, F., Meier, D., Waber, H.N.: Matrix Porewater in Olkiluoto bedrock from drilling OL-KR54 and OL-KR55—chemical and isotopic characterisation and evaluation of contamination by drilling fluid. Posiva working report, vol. 2014–66. Posiva Oy, Olkiluoto (2015). available at www.posiva.fi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichinger, F., Rufer, D., Waber, H.N.: Matrix Porewater and gases in Porewater in Olkiluoto bedrock from drilling OL-KR56. Posiva working report, vol. 2018–07. Posiva Oy, Olkiluoto (2018). available at www.posiva.fi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichinger, F., Gimmi, T., Möri, A., Ruedi, J.: Profiles of chloride in matrix porewater as natural tracer for matrix diffusion in crystalline rocks. Appl. Geochem. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández, A.M., Bath, A., Waber, H.N., Oyama, T.: Water sampling by squeezing Drillcore. In: Pearson, F.J. (ed.) Mont Terri project—geochemistry of water in the Opalinus clay formation at the Mont Terri rock laboratory, Geology Series, vol. 5, pp. 171–199. FOWG, Bern (2003). available at www.mont-terri.ch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández, A.M., Sánchez-Ledesma, D.M., Tournassat, C., Melón, A., Gaucher, E.C., Astudillo, J., Vinsot, A.: Applying the squeezing technique to highly consolidated clayrocks for pore water characterisation: lessons learned from experiments at the Mont Terri rock laboratory. Appl. Geochem. 49, 2–21 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Freeze, R.A., Cherry, J.A.: Groundwater. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliff (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gascoyne, M., Ross, J.D., Watson, R.L.: Highly saline pore fluids in the rock matrix of a granitic batholith on the Canadian Shield. In: Abstracts.: 30th International Geological Congress, Bejing (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gimmi, T., Kosakowski, G.: How mobile are sorbed cations in clays and clay rocks? Environ. Sci. Technol. 45, 1443–1449 (2011)

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gimmi, T., Aschwanden, L., Waber, H.N., Gaucher, E., Ma, J., Traber, D.: Profiles of δ18O and δ2H in porewater of a Mesozoic rock sequence: Regional variability and relation to large-scale transport regimes. Appl. Geochemistry (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2023.105846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grisak, G.E., Pickens, J.F.: Solute transport through fractured porous media, 1, the effect of matrix diffusion. Water Resour. Res. 16, 719–730 (1980)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hendry, M.J., Wassenaar, L.I.: Implications of transport of dD in porewaters for groundwater flow and the timing of geologic events in a thick aquitard system. Water Resour. Res. 35, 1751–1760 (1997)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hendry, M.J., Woodbury, A.D.: Clay aquitards as archives of Holocene paleoclimate: δ18O and thermal profiling. Ground Water 45, 683–691 (2007)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kiczka, M., Wersin, P., Mazurek, M., Zwahlen, C., Jenni, A., Mäder, U., Traber, D.: Porewater composition in clay rocks explored by advective displacement and squeezing experiments. Appl. Geochemistry (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2023.105838

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavastre, V., Jendrzejewski, N., Agrinier, P., Javoy, M., Evrard, M.: Chlorine transfer out of a very low permeability clay sequence (Paris Basin, France): 35Cl and 37Cl evidence. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 69, 4949–4961 (2005)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lavielle, B., Matray, J.-M., Thomas, B., Dauzeres, A., Bensenouci, F., Gilabert, E.: Stages of evolution of a Toarcian compacted claystone around galleries excavated between 1 and 124 years ago by the study of noble gases dissolved in pore water at the Tournemire Underground Research Laboratory (France). Appl. Geochem. 27, 1403–1416 (2012)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lippmann, J.: Isotopenhydrologische Untersuchungen zum Wasser- und Stofftransport im Gebiet der ERA Morsleben. Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg (1998). Inaugural Dissertation

    Google Scholar 

  • Lippmann, J., Rübel, A., Osenbrück, K., Sonntag, C., Gröning, M.: Dating porewater in rock samples from fresh drilling cores: Depth profiles of stable isotopes, noble gases and chloride in hydraulically impermeable geological formations. In: Isotope techniques in the study of environmental change, pp. 465–472. IAEA, Vienna (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mäder, U.: Advective displacement method for the characterization of pore water chemistry and transport properties in claystone. Geofluids (2018). Article ID 8198762 https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/8198762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mäder, U., Waber, H.N.: Characterization of pore water, ion transport and water-rock interaction in claystone by advective displacement experiments. Water-rock interaction international symposium WRI-15. Proc. Earth Planet. Sci 17, 917–920 (2017)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mäder, U.K., Waber, H.N., Gautschi, A.: New method for porewater extraction from claystone and determination of transport properties with results for Opalinus Clay (Switzerland). In: Wanty, R.B., Seal, R.R. (eds.) 11th International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA, vol. 1, pp. 445–449. A.A. Balkema Publishers, Amsterdam (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maloszewski, P., Zuber, A.: Influence of matrix diffusion and exchange reactions on radiocarbon ages in fissured carbonate rocks. Water Resour. Res. 27, 1937–1945 (1991)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mazurek, M., Alt-Epping, P., Bath, A., Gimmi, T., Waber, H.N.: Natural tracer profiles across argillaceous formations: The CLAYTRAC project. OECD/NEA report, vol. 6253. OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Paris (2009). available at www.nea.fr.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazurek, M., Alt-Epping, P., Bath, A., Gimmi, T., Waber, H.N., Buschaert, S., De Cannière, P., De Craen, M., Gautschi, A., Savoye, S., Vinsot, A., Wemaere, I., Wouters, L.: Natural tracer profiles across argillaceous formations. Appl. Geochem. 26, 1035–1064 (2011)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mazurek, M., Oyama, T., Eichinger, F., De Haller, A.: Squeezing of porewater from core samples of DGR boreholes: feasibility study. NWMO technical report, vol. TR-2013–19. NWMO, Toronto (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazurek, M., Oyama, T., Wersin, P., Alt-Epping, P.: Pore-water squeezing from indurated shales. Chem. Geol. 400, 106–121 (2015)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mazurek, M., Al, T., Celejewski, M., Clark, I.D., Fernandez, A.M., Jaeggi, D., Kennell-Morrison, L., Matray, J.M., Murseli, S., Oyama, T., Qiu, S., Rufer, D., St-Jean, G., Waber, H.N., Yu, C.: Mont Terri DB‑A experiment: comparison of pore-water investigations conducted by several research groups on core materials from the BDB‑1 Borehole. NWMO technical report, vol. TR-2017–09. Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Toronto (2017). available at www.nwmo.ca.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazurek, M., Gimmi, T., Zwahlen, C., Aschwanden, L., Gaucher, E., Kiczka, M., Rufer, D., Wersin, P., Marques Fernandes, M., Glaus, M., Van Loon, L., Traber, D., Schnellmann, M., Vietor, T.: Swiss deep drilling campaign 2019–2022: geological overview and rock properties with focus on porosity and pore-space architecture. Appl. Geochemistry (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2023.105839

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meier, D., Waber, H.N., Gimmi, T., Eichinger, F., Diamond, L.W.: Reconstruction of in-situ porosity and porewater compositions of low-permeability crystalline rocks: magnitude of artefacts induced by drilling and sample recovery. J. Contam. Hydrol. 183, 55–71 (2015)

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Michard, G.: Controls of the chemical composition of geothermal waters. In: Helgeson, H.C. (ed.) Chemical transport in Metasomatic processes, NATO ASI series C, mathematical and physical sciences, vol. 218, pp. 323–353. Riedel Publishing Company, Dordrecht (1987)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Moreau-Le Golvan, Y., Michelot, J.-L., Boisson, J.-Y.: Stable isotope contents of porewater in a claystone formation (Tournemire, France): assessment of the extraction technique and preliminary results. Appl. Geochem. 12, 739–745 (1997)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murseli, S., Clark, I., St-Jean, G., Mohapatra, R., Hanna, D.: Pore fluid and gas analysis. NWMO technical report, vol. TR-2017–11. NWMO, Toronto (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagra: Geosynthese Wellenberg 1996. Nagra technical report, vol. NTB 96–01. Nagra, Wettingen (1997). available at www.nagra.ch

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagra: Projekt Opalinuston: Synthese der geowissenschaftlichen Untersuchungsergebnisse. Nagra technical report, vol. NTB 02–03. Nagra, Wettingen (2002). available at www.nagra.ch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagra: Vorschlag geologischer Standortgebiete für das SMA- und das HAA-Lager. Darlegung der Anforderungen, des Vorgehens und der Ergebnisse. Nagra technical report, vol. NTB 08–03. Nagra, Wettingen (2008). available at www.nagra.ch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakata, K., Hasegawa, T., Oyama, T., Miyakawa, K.: Evaluation of δ2H and δ18O of water in pores extracted by compression method-effects of closed pores and comparison to direct vapor equilibration and laser spectrometry method. J. Hydrol. Reg. Stud. 561, 547–556 (2018)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neretnieks, I.: Diffusion in the rock matrix: an important factor for radionuclide retardation? J. Geophys. Res. 85, 4379–4397 (1981)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Norton, D., Knapp, R.: The nature of porosity. Am. J. Sci. 277, 913–936 (1977)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • NWMO: Geosynthesis. OPG’s deep geologic repository for low & intermediate level waste. NWMO report, vol. DGR-TR-2011–11. NWMO, Toronto (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • NWMO: Phase 2 initial Borehole drilling and testing, Ignace area—WP04c data report—Porewater extraction and analysis and petrographic analysis for IG_BH01. NWMO report, vol. APM-REP-01332-0233. NWMO, Toronto (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  • NWMO: Phase 2 initial Borehole drilling and testing, Ignace area—WP04c data report—Porewater extraction and analysis and petrographic analysis for IG_BH03. NWMO Report, vol. APM-REP-01332-0246. NWMO, Toronto (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ondraf, Niras: SAFIR 2, safety assessment and feasibility interim report 2. Ondraf/Niras, Brussels (2001). NIROND 2001–06 E

    Google Scholar 

  • Osenbrück, K., Lippmann, J., Sonntag, C.: Dating very old porewaters in impermeable rocks by noble gas isotopes. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 62, 3041–3045 (1998)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Pearson, F.J.: What is the porosity of a mudrock? In: Aplin, A.C., Fleet, A.J., Macquaker, J.H.S. (eds.) Muds and mudstones: physical and fluid flow properties, Spec Publ, vol. 158, pp. 9–21. Geol Soc, London (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearson, F.J., Arcos, D., Bath, A., Boisson, J.Y., Fernandez, A.M., Gaebler, H.E., Gaucher, E.C., Gautschi, A., Griffault, L., Hernan, P., Waber, H.N.: Mont Terri project—geochemistry of water in the Opalinus clay formation at the Mont Terri rock laboratory. Geology Series, vol. 5. FOWG, Bern, p. 321 (2003). available at www.mont-terri.ch

    Google Scholar 

  • Posiva: Baseline conditions at Olkiluoto. Posiva report, vol. 2003–02. Posiva Oy, Eurajoki (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Posiva: Palaeohydogeochemical data, concepts and interpretation for the Olkiluoto Site. Posiva report, vol. 2021–13. Posiva Oy, Olkiluot (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rübel, A.P., Sonntag, C., Lippmann, J., Pearson, F.J., Gautschi, A.: Solute transport in formations of very low permeability: profiles of stable isotope and dissolved noble gas contents of pore water in the Opalinus clay, Mont Terri, Switzerland. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 66, 1311–1321 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rufer, D., Stockhecke, M.: Field manual: drill core sampling for analytical purposes. Nagra Arbeitsbericht, vol. NAB 19–13 Rev.1. Nagra, Wettingen (2021). available at www.nagra.ch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rufer, D., Waber, H.N.: Noble and reactive gas data of porewaters and rocks from the Schlattingen borehole SLA‑1. Nagra Arbeitsbericht, vol. NAB 15–012. Nagra, Wettingen (2015). available at www.nagra.ch

    Google Scholar 

  • Rufer, D., Waber, H.N., Gimmi, T.: Identifying temporally and spatially changing boundary conditions at an aquifer—aquitard interface using helium in porewater. Appl. Geochem. 96, 62–77 (2018)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rufer, D., Waber, H., Traber, D.: Vertical and lateral distribution of helium in porewater in the Swiss Molasse Basin—a comparative investigation across multiple boreholes. Appl. Geochem. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2023.105836

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sacchi, E., Michelot, J.-L.: Porewater extraction from argillaceous rocks for geochemical characterisation. Methods and interpretation. OECD/NEA Report. OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Paris (2000). available at www.nea.fr.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sacchi, E., Michelot, J.-L., Pitsch, H., Lalieux, P., Aranyossy, J.-F.: Extraction of water and solutes from argillaceous rocks for geochemical characterisation: Methods, processes and current understanding. Hydrogeol J 9, 17–33 (2001)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Savoye, S., Michelot, J., Wittebroodt, C., Altinier, M.V.: Contribution of the diffusive exchange method to the characterization of pore-water in consolidated argillaceous rocks. J. Contam. Hydrol. 86, 87–104 (2006a)

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Savoye, S., Michelot, J.-L., Wittebroodt, C.: Evaluation of the reversibility of iodide uptake by argillaceous rocks by the radial diffusion method. Radiochim. Acta. 94, 699–704 (2006b)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Savoye, S., Michelot, J.L., Matray, J.M., Wittebroodt, C., Mifsud, A.: A laboratory experiment for determining both the hydraulic and diffusive properties and the initial pore-water composition of an argillaceous rock sample: A test with the Opalinus clay (Mont Terri, Switzerland). J. Contam. Hydrol. 128, 47–57 (2012)

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Selnert, E., Byegård, J., Widestrand, H.: Forsmark site investigation. Laboratory measurements within the site investigation programme for the transport properties of the rock. Final report, vol. SKB R‑07-13. SKB, Stockholm (2008). available at www.skb.se.

    Google Scholar 

  • Selnert, E., Byegård, J., Widestrand, H.: Laboratory measurements within the site investigation programme for the transport properties of the rock. Final report. Oskarshamn site investigation, vol. SKB P‑07-179. S KB, Stockholm (2009). available at www.skb.se.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, A.M.: Effective matrix diffusion in kilometer-scale transport in fractured crystalline rock. Water Resour. Res. 37, 507–522 (2001)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, A.M.: The challenge of interpreting environmental tracer concentrations in fractured rock and carbonate aquifers. Hydrogeol J 19, 9–12 (2011)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SKB: Geoscientific programme for investigation and evaluation of sites for the deep repository. SKB, Stockholm (2000). available at www.skb.se.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smellie, J.A.T.: Evolution of the Olkiluoto site: Palaeohydrogeochemical considerations. Posiva working report, vol. 2014–27. Posiva Oy, Olkiluoto (2014). available at www.posiva.fi

    Google Scholar 

  • Smellie, J.A.T., Waber, H.N., Frape, S.K.: Matrix fluid chemistry experiment, final report. SKB technical report, vol. TR-03–18. SKB, Stockholm (2003). available at www.skb.se.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tournassat, C., Steefel, C.I.: Ionic transport in Nano-porous clays with consideration of electrostatic effects. In: Steefel, C.I., Emmanuel, S., Anowitz, L.M. (eds.) Pore-scale geochemical processes, Reviews in mineralogy & geochemistry, vol. 80, pp. 287–329. Mineralogical Society of America, Chantilly (2015)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Kamp, G., Stempvoort, D.R., Wassenaar, L.I.: The radial diffusion method. 1. Using intact cores to determine isotopic composition, chemistry and effective porosities for groundwater in aquitards. Water Resour. Res. 32, 1815–1822 (1996)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Waber, H.N.: Laboratoire de recherche Souterrain Meuse / haute-Marne—geochemical data of Borehole EST433. Nagra Arbeitsbericht, vol. NAB 09–16. Nagra, Wettingen (2012). available at www.nagra.ch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waber, H.N.: SGT-E3 deep drilling campaign (TBO): experiment procedures and analytical methods at RWI, university of Bern (version 1.0, April 2020). Nagra Arbeitsbericht, vol. NAB 20–13. Nagra, Wettingen (2020). available at www.nagra.ch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waber, H.N., Gimmi, T.: Out-diffusion experiments. Chapter 11. In: Waber, H.N. (ed.) Borehole Oftringen: mineralogy, Porosimetry, geochemistry, pore water chemistry, Nagra Arbeitsbericht, vol. NAB 08–18. Nagra, Wettingen (2008). available at www.nagra.ch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waber, H.N., Rufer, D.: Porewater geochemistry, method comparison and Opalinus clay—Passwang formation interface study at the Mont Terri URL. NWMO Technical Report, vol. TR-2017–10. Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Toronto (2017). available at www.nwmo.ca.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waber, H.N., Smellie, J.A.T.: Characterisation of pore water in crystalline rocks. Appl. Geochem. 23, 1834–1861 (2008)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waber, H.N., Gimmi, T., Smellie, J.A.T.: Porewater in the rock matrix. Site descriptive modelling. SDM-Site Forsmark, vol. SKB R‑08–105. SKB, Stockholm (2009a). available at www.skb.se

    Google Scholar 

  • Waber, H.N., Gimmi, T., Smellie, J.A.T., de Haller, A.: Porewater in the rock matrix. Site descriptive modelling. SDM-site Laxemar, vol. SKB R‑08–112. SKB, Stockholm (2009b). available at www.skb.se

    Google Scholar 

  • Waber, H.N., Gimmi, T., Smellie, J.A.T.: Effects of drilling and stress release on hydraulic properties and porewater chemistry of crystalline rocks. J Hydrol 405, 316–332 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waber, H.N., Gimmi, T., Smellie, J.A.T.: Reconstruction of palaeoinfiltration during the Holocene using porewater Data (Laxemar, Sweden). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 94, 109–127 (2012)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waber, H.N., Hobbs, M.Y., Frape, S.K.: Assessing initial conditions for chloride transport across low-permeability argillaceous rocks, Wellenberg, Switzerland. Procedia Earth Planet Sci 7, 875–879 (2013)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warr, O., Ballentine, C.J., Onstott, T.C., Nisson, D.M., Kieft, T.L., Hillegonds, D.J., Sherwood Lollar, B.: 86Kr excess and other noble gases identify a billion-year-old radiogenically-enriched groundwater system. Nat Commun 13(1), 3768 (2022)

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zuber, A., Róźański, K., Kania, J., Purtschert, R.: On some methodological problems in the use of environmental tracers to estimate hydrogeologic parameters and to calibrate flow and transport models. Hydrogeol J 19, 53–69 (2011)

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hydroisotop GmbH, Woelkestraße 9, 85301, Schweitenkirchen, Germany

    Florian Eichinger

  2. WaterGeoChem Consulting, Altenbergstr. 14, 3013, Bern, Switzerland

    H. Niklaus Waber

  3. RWI, Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Baltzerstr. 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Lukas Aschwanden & Daniel Rufer

  4. Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, Stilleweg 2, 30655, Hannover, Germany

    Johanna Lippmann-Pipke

  5. Intellisci, LE12 6SZ, Loughborough, UK

    Adrian Bath

Authors
  1. Florian Eichinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Niklaus Waber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lukas Aschwanden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Johanna Lippmann-Pipke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Daniel Rufer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Adrian Bath
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Florian Eichinger.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Eichinger, F., Waber, H.N., Aschwanden, L. et al. Best practice methods for the chemical and isotopic characterisation of porewater in low-permeability bedrock. Grundwasser - Zeitschrift der Fachsektion Hydrogeologie 29, 73–90 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00767-023-00563-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00767-023-00563-4

Keywords

Schlüsselwörter

Search

Navigation