Effect of water saturation on the diffusion/adsorption of $^{22}$Na and cesium onto the Callovo-Oxfordian Claystones

Special issue : Aquitard Fluids and GasesInternational audienceThe diffusion and adsorption behaviors of sodium and cesium were investigated in the Callovo-Oxfordian claystones (France) under unsaturated conditions. Through-, out-, and in-diffusion laboratory experiments were performed on intact and compacted samples. These samples were partially saturated using an osmotic method for imposed suction up to 9 MPa. This specific technique enabled us to obtain water saturation degree ranging from 81% to 100% for intact samples and from 70percent to 100percent for compacted materials. The results showed a very low impact of water saturation on the extent of adsorption for $^{22}$Na and cesium, onto intact and compacted materials. Such observations suggest that the saturation degrees were not low enough to limit the access of cations to adsorption sites on clay surfaces. At full saturation, enhanced diffusion for $^{22}$Na and cesium was clearly evidenced onto intact and compacted samples. Under unsaturated conditions, the diffusion behavior for Cs and $^{22}$Na was not only slower but also distinct as compared to fully saturated samples. For the intact rock and under suction of 1.9 MPa, the Cs diffusivity was reduced by a factor of 17, whereas for sodium, it was reduced by a factor of 5. Explanation was then proposed to explain such a difference