Clay Club

Publications and reports

Clay Characterisation from Nanoscopic to Microscopic Resolution (2012)
The Clay Club organised the International Workshop on Microscopic Observations and Imaging Techniques for Clays. The workshop took place on 6-8 September 2011 at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany. The objective of this workshop was to share state-of-the-art microscopic observation methods and modelling techniques to enhance understanding of properties of micro-structure, water flow and mass transport processes in clay, which are key processes in the long-term safety assessment of geological disposal.

Self-sealing of Fractures in Argillaceous Formations in the Context of Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste (2010)
This report provides an overview and synthesis of the current understanding of and conceptual approaches to the processes that lead to the sealing of natural and induced fractures in argillaceous media at depth. Systematic evidence of self-sealing has been collected with reference to laboratory tests, underground research laboratory field tests and geological and geotechnical analogues. The evidence shows that, for many types of argillaceous formations, the understanding of self-sealing has progressed to a level that could justify its inclusion in performance assessments for geological repositories.

Natural Tracer Profiles across Argillaceous Formations: The CLAYTRAC Project (2009)
This technical report describes the results of the CLAYTRAC project, in which natural tracer data from nine sites was evaluated to assess potential impacts of disposal of radiological waste in geological repositories. It shows scientific information from numerous sites and applies robust analytical methods to improve the understanding of radionuclide migration and evolution of sites for deep geological disposal. These results improve the understanding of sites, and thus the confidence in safety for geological disposal of radioactive waste.

Clay Club Catalogue of Characteristics of Argillaceous Rocks (2005)
This catalogue gathers in a structured way the key geoscientific characteristics of the various argillaceous formations that are, or were, studied in NEA member countries with regard to radioactive waste disposal.

Stability and Buffering Capacity of the Geosphere for Long-term Isolation of Radioactive Waste (2003)
Application to Argillaceous Media, Clay Club Workshop Proceedings, Braunschweig, Germany, 9-11 December 2003
An NEA workshop was organised on 9-11 December 2003 in Braunschweig, Germany, devoted specifically to argillaceous settings for deep geological repositories. The workshop brought together scientists from academic institutions, engineers from various research institutions or companies, consultants, regulatory authorities and national waste management organisations to establish the scientific basis for stability and buffering capacity of deep geological waste management systems. The present report synthesises the main outcomes of that workshop and presents a compilation of the related abstracts.

Features, Events and Processes Evaluation Catalogue for Argillaceous Media (2003)
This report provides the results of work performed by an expert group to develop a features, events and processes (FEPs) database related to argillaceous formations, whether soft or indurated. It describes the methodology used for the work performed, provides a list of relevant FEPs and summarises the knowledge on each of them. It also provides general conclusions and identifies priorities for future work.

Proceedings of the Clay Club Topical Session on Self-healing (2001)
A topical session focused on the Evidence of, and Approaches to, Self-Healing in Argillaceous Media was organised in the framework to the 11th meeting of the Clay Club. It was held in Nancy, France on 16 May 2001. The session was mainly aimed at exchanging information on self-healing amongst geomechanical and geochemical experts, and the approaches that are or will be followed by the various organisations in order to deal with self-healing. The topical session showed the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to this topic. The presentations emphasised the interest of a state-of-the-art report on self-healing to provide a sound and disposal-dedicated scientific framework for subsequent studies related to this area.

Porewater Extraction from Argillaceous Rocks for Geochemical Characterisation (2000)
This report provides a synthesis of available extraction methods, assessing their respective advantages and limitations, identifying key processes that may influence the composition of the extracted water, describing modelling approaches that are used to determine porewater composition in its original situation, and highlighting, wherever possible, some of the unresolved issues and recommendations on ways to address them.

Fluid Flow through Faults and Fractures in Argillaceous Formations (1998)
An evaluation of the occurrence of fluid flow through faults and fractures is of primary importance for the performance assessment of radioactive waste repositories located in argillaceous settings. The NEA and the European Commission (EC) jointly organised a workshop on this topic in Berne, Switzerland on 10-12 June 1996. This publication includes the papers presented orally or as posters at the workshop, and is introduced by a synthesis of the topics addressed and the conclusions reached.

Water, Gas and Solute Movement through Argillaceous Media – A Clay Club Report (1996)
This report provides a review of the relevant literature on the basic concepts and mechanisms which control the movement of water, solute and gas through the whole spectrum of argillaceous media being considered for radioactive waste disposal (pdf format, 17.5 Mb).

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Last reviewed: 3 February 2015