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Characterizing Low-Permeable Granitic Rock from Micrometer to Centimeter Scale: X-ray Microcomputed Tomography, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and 14C-PMMA Method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2011

Marja Siitari-Kauppi
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Helsinki, Laboratory of Radiochemistry, A.I. Virtasen Aukio, PL 55, Helsinki, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
M. Kelokaski
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Helsinki, Laboratory of Radiochemistry, P.O.Box 55, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Finland
M. Siitari-Kauppi
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Helsinki, Laboratory of Radiochemistry, P.O.Box 55, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Finland
M. Voutilainen
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Jyväskylä, Department of Physics, P.O.Box 35, Jyväskylä, FIN-40351, Finland
M. Myllys
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Jyväskylä, Department of Physics, P.O.Box 35, Jyväskylä, FIN-40351, Finland
T. Turpeinen
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Jyväskylä, Department of Physics, P.O.Box 35, Jyväskylä, FIN-40351, Finland
J. Timonen
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Jyväskylä, Department of Physics, P.O.Box 35, Jyväskylä, FIN-40351, Finland
F. Mateos
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Oviedo, Department of Geology, Oviedo, 33005, Spain
M. Montoto
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Oviedo, Department of Geology, Oviedo, 33005, Spain
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Abstract

First results of combining X-ray microcomputer tomography (µCT), confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM) and 14C-polymethylmethacrylate (14C-PMMA) impregnation techniques in the study of granitic rock samples are reported. Combining results of µCT and CLSM with those of the 14C-PMMA technique, the mineral-specific porosity and morphology of the open pore space, as well as its connectivity, could be analyzed from a micrometer up to a decimeter scale.

Three different types of granite were studied. In two cases part of the micro-fissure and pore apertures were found to be in a micrometer scale, but in one case all grain-boundary openings were below the detection limit. Micrometer-scale apertures could be analyzed by CLSM and µCT. The benefit of µCT is that it can also provide the heterogeneous distribution of minerals in 3D. The 2D porosity distributions in the mineral phases, consisting of nanometer-scale pores, could be measured by the 14C-PMMA method together with the micro-fissures. This method does not, however, give the exact pore apertures. The limitations and applicability of the methods are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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