Selection and Basic Properties of the Buffer Material for High-Level Radioactive Waste Repository in China

Radioactive wastes arising from a wide range of human activities are in many different physical and chemical forms, contaminated with varying radioactivity. Their common features are the potential hazard associated with their radioactivity and the need to manage them in such a way as to protect the human environment. The geological disposal is regarded as the most reasonable and effective way to safely disposing high-level radioactive wastes in the world. The conceptual model of geological disposal in China is based on a multi-barrier system that combines an isolating geological environment with an engineered barrier system. The buffer is one of the main engineered barriers for HLW repository. It is expected to maintain its low water permeability, self-sealing property, radio nuclides adsorption and retardation properties, thermal conductivity, chemical buffering property, canister supporting property, and stress buffering property over a long period of time. Bentonite is selected as the main content of buffer material that can satisfy the above requirements. The Gaomiaozi deposit is selected as the candidate supplier for China＇s buffer material of high level radioactive waste repository. This paper presents the geological features of the GMZ deposit and basic properties of the GMZ Na-bentonite. It is a super-large deposit with a high content of montmorillonite （about 75 %）, and GMZ-1, which is Na-bentonite produced from GMZ deposit is selected as the reference material for China＇s buffer material study.     

Open burning of wastes as the source of environmental contamination by POPs

In the paper the procedure for and results of a test study of a few persistent organic pollutants - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon （PAH）, polychlorinated biphenyls （PCB） and hexachlorobenzene （HCB） emission from the open burning of different types of wastes （domestic wastes, agricultural debris, landscape cleating debris, etc.） are discussed. The open burning of agricultural debris and landscape-clearing debris is widely applied in rural areas and small towns and in allotment gardens for the recovery of that part of wastes that can not be utilized for compost preparation. This process is most typical during the autumn season and to a lesser degree during spring. Burning occurs usually in bon fires. Burning modes differ depending on the volume of material burnt, the waste moisture content, the weather conditions, etc. During this process part of domestic wastes （polluted wood, paper, chipboard, films, plastics, etc.） are burned also. Investigations included the collection and preparation of combustible material, the simulation of open burning processes, particulate and gas emission sampling, chemical analysis of sample and data processing. Sampling procedures and sample preparation were agreeable to the emission sampling standards. The aerosol and vapour phases of POPs were collected by ordinary sampling train with pumping of waste gases through filter and solid sorbent （polyurethane foam）. For the measurements of PAH in emission, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used which make it possible to identify and determine 16 PAH compounds in the samples; this method was used for HCB determination also. Gas chromatography with ECD detector was used for PCB measurement. It was detected that the levels of PAH emission from wastes uncontrolled burning of wastes vary greatly. Influencing factors are composition and properties of refuse, temperature and mode of burning, level air supply. Generally, the increase of content of wood leads to the increase of PAH in emission. PAH emission also increased with increasing temperature of burning. The highest PAH values are characteristic of emissions from domestic refuse burning. Practically, all naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene （from 60% to 100% of their total mass） and fluorene （14%-99%） were emitted in gaseous form.     

Geochemistry of Permian Coal and Its Combustion Residues in Huainan Coalfield, China

INTRODUCTIONMany environmental problems may arise during coal min-ing and utilization. Among these prob1ems, much attention hasbeen paid to S(), and NO. emission during coal combustion.But the environmental effects produced by hazardous elementsduring coal mining and utilization are also important and de-serve to be studied (Goodazi, 1995; Finkelman, 1993; Valk-ovic, l983). For example, when coal wastes are used for landreclamation, the harmful elements in them may pollute water,soil an…     

Mineralogy, geochemistry and release of heavy metals in wastes from indigenous zinc smelting in Northwest Guizhou

Environmental impact resulting from mining activities is serious and ubiquitous all over the world, and it has become one of the important aspects in environmental geochemistry. The environment was seriously damaged by wastes from historical zinc smelting in Northwest Guizhou. The geochemical distributions of Pb and Zn in the different grain-size fractions of wastes indicate that the coarser particles show similar or even higher heavy metal concentrations than finer ones in the samples, although the concentrations of heavy metals tend generally to increase as the size fractions get finer. The heavy metal contents are very high, with maximum values of 31631, 57178, 2367 and 311.5 mg/kg for Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd, respectively. It is also shown that the residual fraction of Pb is less than that of Zn, accounting for 0.39%-15.75% and 14.3%-46.2%, respectively, of the total, and this is likely relative to Zn-silicate minerals formed from smelting. Although the relative partitioning of Pb and Zn is very low （0.03%- 1.3.% for Pb; 0.03% -3.3% for Zn）, the exchangeable fraction of the waste contains large amounts of heavy metals （1.5%-385 μg/g for Pb; 3-590 μg/g for Zn）. Heavy metals in exchangeable forms have the highest solubility to give the highest potential bioavailability in contrast to other chemical forms. Mineralogical study indicates that the wastes were found to be highly heterogeneous materials, dominated by quartz, feldspar, carbonatite, iron or/and aluminum vitric compounds and a few secondary mineral phases, and their contents vary with the type of smelting wastes. The secondary minerals formed from smelting and sequentially weathering are the major chemical phase for heavy metals. Complex composition of many phases and substitution of elements suggested that many of the phases were found to be non-stoichiometric compounds. Pb was found to be the main Pb phase in the wastes by precipitation or/and adsorption.     

Assessment of groundwater quality in the flood plains of upper Palar River, India

Groundwater is generally presumed to be good for human consumption and is used as a main source of drinking water. Although there are numerous reasons for groundwater pollution, anthropogenic sources are consid-ered as the prime ones. In this study, twenty-two groundwater samples were collected from the flood plains of upper Palar River during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons to assess the extent of pollution and effects on human health. Physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater were analyzed and compared with those of drinking water standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The Piper’s tri-linear diagram shows the nature of alkali earth with the high contents of alkalies and prevailing sulphate in the pre-sent samples. The univariate statistics and correlation analysis were performed to find out the relationships between the variables. The tannery effluents, solid wastes and sewage were suspected to be the predominant sources of pollu-tion in the area.     

Mobility of heavy metals from tailings to stream waters in local zinc smelting activities contaminated site

It has been found that stream waters were severely contaminated with wastes from a long-time smelting factory in Hezhang, Guizhou, China. The main sources of contamination are the smelting wastes stored in the open air and abandoned in the vicinity of stream. A method of lead isotope was adopted in order to identify relations between tailings and water contamination. Representative samples of tailings and stream sediments were collected. Mineralogical characterizations were conducted using XRD and TEM/SEM, while acid digestion was carried out for determining metal contents. BCR sequential leaching tests were performed in order to assess metal mobility. The tremendous ‘actual＇ and ‘potential＇ mobility of heavy metals indicates that the smelting waste and stream sediments present a considerable threat to the environment. Besides the chemical remobilization of heavy metals from the sediments and the reworking of riverbed sediments act as a secondary source of pollution. Also groundwater and stream water were sampled in specific locations and were measured.     

An overview of geological originated materials as a trend for adsorption in wastewater treatment

Adsorption is a unit operation widely used for the tertiary treatment of the most diverse effluents,whose mechanism is based on removing recalcitrant compounds from the organic and inorganic origin.In this process,choosing a suitable adsorbent is a fundamental point.This review article focuses on the adsorbents with natural geological origin:minerals,clays,geopolymers,and even wastes resulted from mining activity.Therefore,over 450 articles and research papers were explored.These materials’main sources are described,and their characteristics,composition,and intrinsic properties are related to adsorption.Herein,we discuss the effects of several process parameters,such as p H,temperature,pollutant,and adsorbent concentration.Furthermore,equilibrium,kinetics,and thermodynamic aspects are also addressed,and relevant regeneration prospects and final disposal.Finally,some suggestions and perspectives on applying these adsorbents in wastewater treatment are presented as future trends.     

Microgranitoid Enclaves in Some I—and S—type Granites from Southern China

The three I-type plutons of Guantian(GT),Guidong(GD),Shangbao(SB)and the two S-type plutons of Xucun(XC)and Xiuning(XN) as well as their microgranitoid enclaves in southern China have been studied,Restite in the Motianling(MT) metasomatic granite in this area is described in this paper as well,Microgranitoid enclaves in the I-type granitoids may be divied into autoliths and schlierens which have marked differences both in petrography and geochemistry.In the S-type granitoids,schlierens are the major microgranitoid enclaves,but autoliths are rare.The metasomatic granite contains only restite without other enclaves.The microgranitoid enclaves and their host rocks have close ∈Nd(T)values and the same minerals within them are similar in composition.The microgranitoid enclaves,in general,don‘t represent the products of mixing of the syn-plutonic foreign mafic magma and the host acidic magma.They are the records of the evolution of intermediate-acidic magma itself.The formation of autoliths is related to the interdiffusion of different constituents in magma.Schlierens are the products of immiscible fractionation of the magma.     

Discovery of the Archean Magmatic Cu-Ni Sulfide Deposit in China—Taoke Deposit,Shandong Province

The formation ages of global magmatic sulfide Ni-Cu deposits are from Archean to Mesozoic,the Neoarchean and Neoproterozoic are the two peaks.In China,the formation ages of magmatic sulfide deposits are from Proterozoic to Mesozoic,and the Neoproterozoic and late Paleozoic are the two peaks,.Compared with the global magmatic deposits,there is no case study of the Archean magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposits in China before.The nickel deposits formed in Neoproterozoic are located on the margin of the North China Block and Yangtze Block(e.g.Jinchuan,Dapoling),and those formed in the late Paleozoic are mainly distributed in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB).Emeishan and Tarim Large Igneous Provinces(LIPs).such as Kalatongke,Yangliuping,and Pobei.     

Genesis of Podiform Chromite Deposits——Evidence from the Luobosa Chromite Deposits, Tibet

Taking for example the Luobosa chromite deposit in Tibet combined with other deposits of the same type in the world, the paper discusses the genetic mechanism of podiform chromite deposits. The study indicates that chromite and dunite-harzburgite are both the products of different degrees of partial melting of the same primary pyrolite(spinel lherzolite) and that chromite and dunite are the end product of higher degree of partial melting.The melting mechanism lies in the convcrsion of the two subgroups of pyroxenes(Cpx and Opx) into olivine and spinel respectively as a result of their incongruent melting, accompanied by regulation and reformation of accessory chrome spinel and such rock-forming minerals as Ol, Opx and Cpx, thus resulting in the close association of chromite deposits and dunite. The results of this study are of general significance for understanding the genesis of chromite deposits of the same type in the world.     

Geochemical Characteristics of the Sandstone—type Uranium Deposits in Northern Sichuan Province

Described in detail in this paper are the geochemical characteristics of the sandstone-type uranium deposits in northern Sichuan Province .Favorable and unfavor-able conditions for the enrichment of uranium are explored on the basis of the elemental abundances and ratios of U,Th and K determined by gamma-ray spectroscopy. Gamma-ray spectroscopic(U, Th and K) and XRF analyses(As, Ba) are helpful to distinguish U-bearing light-colored sandstones from U-barren light-colored ones and red sandstones (red claystone) from light-colored sandstones. Therefore, the favorable target area for prospecting the sandstone-type uranium deposits can be difined in northern Sichuan Province.     

Metallogenesis of Devonian—Carboniferous Strata—bound Carbonate—type Uranium Deposits in South China

This paper deais with the geological conditions.mineralization characteristics,genetic types and space-time distribution of the Devonian-Carboniferous strata-bound carbonate-type uranium deposits in South China.These ore deposits are genetically classified as the leaching type and the leaching-hydrothermal superimposed type,These ore deposits are confined mainly to the strata (D2-3,C1)of platform-lagoon carbonate facies.Unique tectonic settings are a vital factor leading to the formation of these uranium deposits.A metallogenetic model for these uranium deposits has been proposed.     

The Behaviour of Rare—Earth Elements（REE） During Weathering of Granites in Southern Guangxi,China

The behaviour of the rare-earth elements(REE)during the weathering of granites was studied in southern Guangxi,China.Based on the study of the weathering profiles,the soil,weathered and sub-weatereb zones are identified with different REE geochemical behaviours throug the weathering profiles of granite.The Ce anomalies of the weathering profiles cover a large range of values with most falling between 1.02 and 1.43in the soil zone and 0.16and 0.40in the weathered and sub-weathered zones.Light rare-earth elements(LREE) and heavy rare-earth elements(HREE)are enriched to varying degree in the weathering profiles as compared to host granites.In the soil zone,more HREEs are leached than LREEs,and HREEs are more enriched than LREE in the weathered and sub-weathered zones.It is considered that infiltration and adsorption on clays are two processes controlling the enrichment and formation of REE deposits in the weathering profiles of granite.     

Implications of εNd—La／Nb,Ba／Nb,Nb／Th Diagrams to Mantle Heterogeneity—Classification of Island—arc Basalts and Decomposition of EMII Component

A group of εNd/Nb,Ba/Nb,Nb/Th diagrams are used to study mantle heterogeneity.Island-arc basalts(IAB) are distributed in a triangle of these diagrams. Three end-member components (the MORB-type depleted mantle, the fluid released from subducted oceanic crust and the sediments from the continental crust) of the source of IAB may be displayed in these diagrams. Two types of IAB are identified .They are of the two-component type (with little continental sediments), such as the basalts from Aletians and New Britain ,and the three-compeonent type, such as those from Sunda, Lesser Antilles and Andes. In addition ,the EMII type mantle-derived rocks may also be divided into two groups. One is exemplified by continental flood basalts and some peridotite xenoliths, similar to IAB, with high La/Nb and Ba/Nb and low Nb/Th ratios, The other includes the Samoa-type oceanic island basalts, with low La/Nb and Ba/Nb and high Nb/Th ratios. The corresponding two sub-components of EMII are EMIIM, which is related to the metasomatism of lithosphere mantle by fluids released from the subducted oceanic crust, and EMIISR, related to the intervention of recycling continental sediments into the convective mantle.     

Granulite—facies Middle—Lower Crustal Xenoliths from Nueshan Alkali Basalt in Northeastern Anhui Province, China

Metamorphic xenoliths within the Nushan alkali basalt of northeastern Anhui (NEA),China ,are from the middle-lower crust.They could be divided into two end-members:basic and acid.Interme-diate xenoliths are scarcely found.Basic two-pyroxene granulites(pyriclasites) were formed at 720-810℃ and 7-8kb.Petrological and geochemical studies indicate that the primary magma of the protoliths of basic granulites was derived from the metasomatized upper mantle, while the pa-rental magma of the acid end-member was probably produced by partial melting of the basic rocks. The protoliths of charnockites and grey gneisses represent respectively the early and late crystallization products of the granitic magma.The Nushan granulites are much different in many aspects from the granulites exposed in the northern part of North China ,which implies the inhomogeneity regarding to the early evolution of the North China terranc.     

An Interesting Element Association of Au—Sb—As—W and Its Geochemical Interpretation—A Review

The occurrences and characteristics of the association of Au-Sb-As-W are summarized.An interpretation of the association is given according to the fact that the content of reduced sulfur in the ore-forming solution is much high relative to Cl in this kind of ore deposits especially for the Au-Sb-As with W,using the data on their complexes and solubility,The high dfineness of gold and the separation of gold from the base metals Cu,Pb,Zn,and sometimes from Ag in this kind of ore deposits are also interpreted.     

Gold Deposits in Precambrian Banded Iron-Formations——A Case Study of the Dongfengshan Gold Deposit

This paper deals with a preliminary study of 13 localities of Precambrian iron-formations in the Jiamusi median massif and determination of the gold eontent of 391 samples. It has been ascertained that the gold deposits are strictly controlled by the iron-formations and exhibit obvious stratabound features. On that basis, the paper principally discusses gold migration and enrichment. Abundant Mn and Co are contained in primary sediments of the Dongfengshan-type gold deposits, which strongly supports and supplements the idea that the gold deposits of the same kind in the world are of metamorphosed volcanoexhalative-sedimentary origin.     

THM Coupled Modeling in Near Field of an Assumed HLW Deep Geological Disposal Repository

One of the most suitable ways under study for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is isolation in deep geological repositories. It is very important to research the thermo-hydromechanical (THM) coupled processes associated with an HLW disposal repository. Non-linear coupled equations, which are used to describe the THM coupled process and are suited to saturated-unsaturated porous media, are presented in this paper. A numerical method to solve these equations is put forward, and a finite element code is developed. This code is suited to the plane strain or axis-symmetry problem. Then this code is used to simulate the THM coupled process in the near field of an ideal disposal repository. The temperature vs. time, hydraulic head vs. time and stress vs. time results show that, in this assumed condition, the impact of temperature is very long (over 10 000 a) and the impact of the water head is short (about 90 d). Since the stress is induced by temperature and hydraulic head in this condition, the impact time of stress is the same as that of temperature. The results show that THM coupled processes are very important in the safety analysis of an HLW deep geological disposal repository.     

Discrimination Study on Fluid—Rock Interaction Between Metallogenic and Non—Metallogenic Sections in a Shear Zone

Discriminations in a local chemical,fluidal,mechanical and thermal processes in a shear zone will lead to metallogenic differentiation in a local section.This paper,based on the general geological setting of the Shibangou gold deposit in Xixia,Henan,deals with petrological and petrochemical samples of altered rocks in the metallogenic section and of mylonites in the non-metallogenic section of a selected shear zone.The discriminations in fluid-rock interaction and petrological mass balance between altered rocks near the orebody and mylonites in the shear zone are discussed as well.The results show that the petrological volume of altered rocks in the metallogenic section of the shear zone is almost always dilatant and the mylonite volume in the non-metallogenic section is almost always lost.Major elements in altered rocks from the metallogenic section and in mylonites from the non-metallogenic section always show a tendency of being enriched and depleted,respectively.Fluid-rock ratios in the mylonites(Nu=93.68-468.40)are larger than those of the altered rocks(NC(Ⅳ）^s=36.11-216.67).The gain and loss of major and trace elements from the altered rocks and mylonites in the shear zone are a composite process to be imported and exported by percolating fluids as well as of the loss and dilatancy of rock volume.     

Study on Assessment of Mine Environments

Mine environmental evaluation is the key to mine environmental study. On the basis of the characteristics of the mine environmental problems, they are classified into （1） three wastes problem, （2） ground distortion, （3） contradiction among mine drainage, water supply, ecological environment, （4） desertification, and （5） soil erosion. The evaluation is the basis of mine environmental problem classification and investigation, mine environmental rehabilitation, and the information system constructed can be used for subsequent research of evaluation techniques. A synthetic assessment of the 5 kinds of mine environmental problems can be divided into single-factor or multi-factor synthetic assessments; while by the viewpoint of time, the mine environmental assessment can be classified as the historical assessment, the current status assessment and the forecasting assessment.