Differential helium retention in zircons: Implications for nuclear waste management

Abstract. A very sensitive helium leak detector was utilized to measure the helium liberated from groups of zircons extracted from six deep granite cores. The observed low differential loss of gaseous helium down to 2900 m (197°C) in these ancient Precambrian rocks is easily attributable to the greater diffusion of He at higher temperatures rather than losses due to corrosion of the zircons. This fact strongly suggests that deep granite burial should be a very safe corrosion—resistant containment procedure for long—term waste encapsulation. Recent mass spectrometric studies (Gentry, et al. 1982) have revealed that lead has been re-tained in zircons extracted from deep (960 m t