Effects of OH super(-) activity and temperature on the dissolution rate of compacted montmorillonite under highly alkaline conditions

The highly alkaline environment induced by cementitious materials in a deep geological disposal system of high-level radioactive waste is likely to alter montmorillonite, the main constituent of bentonite buffer materials. Over long time periods, the alteration may cause the physical and/or chemical barrier functions of the buffer materials to deteriorate. In order to evaluate the long-term alteration behaviour, the dissolution rate, R sub(A) (kg m super(-3)s super(-1)), of compacted pure montmorillonite (Kunipia-F) was investigated experimentally under conditions of hydroxide ion concentration of 0.10-1.0 mol dm super(-3) at temperatures of 50-90 degree C. The dissolution rate data, including those from a previous study at 130 degree C, were formulated as a function of the activity of hydroxide ions, a sub(OH)- (mol dm super(-3)), and temperature, T (K), and expressed as R sub(A) = 10 super(4.5).( a sub(OH)-) super(1.3).e super(-55000/RT) by multiple regression analysis, where R is the gas constant. The dissolution rate of montmorillonite was greater in the compacted montmorillonite than in the compacted sand-bentonite mixtures. The difference can be explained by considering the decrease in a sub(OH)- in the mixtures accompanied by dissolution of accessory minerals such as quartz and chalcedony. The dissolution rate model developed for pure montmorillonite is expected to be applied to bentonite mixtures if quantification of the decrease in a sub(OH)- is achieved somehow.