Calculations of fluid-mineral equilibria in the Aspo Hard Rock Laboratory

Technical Report · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/94003· OSTI ID:94003

Bruton, C J

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the utility of the EQ3/6 geochemical codes in describing mineral-fluid equilibria in the low temperature (<25{degrees}C) systems at the Aespoe Hard Rock Laboratory (HRL). Data on fluid chemistry and on fracture-filling mineralogy with depth were obtained from Smellie and Laaksoharju. Average temperatures in the HRL boreholes are generally less than 20{degrees}C. EQ3/6 was used to evaluate the extent to which equilibrium is achieved between minerals and fluids in these systems. Smellie and Laaksoharju used the PHREEQE geochemical modeling code to calculate saturation indices for fracture-lining minerals in boreholes KAS02, KAS03, KAS04 and KAS06 in order to ``support the presence or absence of the major fracture minerals``. They noted that only calcite and gypsum may be expected to attain equilibrium under the low temperature conditions Aespoe. However, they used closeness to equilibrium as an indicator of ``stable conditions, long bedrock residence/reaction times and slow to stagnant flow in the system.`` EQ3 was used to calculate mineral saturation indices for comparison, and EQ6 was used to try to predict the mineral assemblages coexisting with fluids.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 94003
• Report Number(s): UCRL-ID--121178; ON: DE95015123
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
58 GEOSCIENCES
DISSOLUTION
E CODES
GEOCHEMISTRY
PRECIPITATION
REDOX REACTIONS
SATURATION