Discussion on the Use of Matrix Diffusion Model after a Multidisciplinary Study of a Granitic Boulder Sample

This paper aims to discuss the applicability of the classical matrix diffusion model against the integrated body of new data obtained by different methodologies on several samples of three granite boulders. The matrix diffusion model was tested against observations from the upper (most weathered in contact with air) and lower (fresh in contact with the ground) part of a boulder block. A U(VI) enrichment up to nearly 300 ppm (compared to about 10 ppm background concentration) mostly as uranophane was observed in the zone between the weathered and fresh rock. U-series disequilibrium studies indicated that most of U has been accumulated recently, about 10 000 years ago [1]. High interconnected porosity (total porosity of> 1 % and up to about 5.5 % in altered minerals) characterizes the weathered zone (upper part), whereas the maximum porosity values in the fresh zone (lower part) of the rock are about 0.4 0.6%. Stable isotope studies δ18O and δ2H confirm that the mineralogical changes observed in the weathered upper part are due to old hydrothermal events. That is, the alteration is much older than uranium accumulation. Mössbauer spectroscopy showed that the Fe(III) content of the biotites from the upper to the lower par