Abstract
Morphology of the pore space in claystones – evidence from BIB/FIB ion beam sectioning and cryo-SEM observations
Highlights
Mudrocks and clay-rich fault gouges are important mechanical elements in the Earth’s crust and form seals for crustal fluids such as groundwater and hydrocarbons
We report on a study of Boom clay from a proposed disposal site of radioactive waste (Mol site, Belgium) using high resolution SEM at cryogenic temperature, with ion beam cross-sectioning to prepare smooth, damage free surfaces
We define a number of pore types depending on shape and location in the microstructure: large jagged pores in strain shadows of clastic grains, high aspect ratio pores between oriented phyllosilicate grains and crescent-shaped pores in saddle reefs of folded phyllosilicates. 3-D reconstruction by serial cross-sectioning shows 3-D connectivity of the pore space
Summary
Mudrocks and clay-rich fault gouges are important mechanical elements in the Earth’s crust and form seals for crustal fluids such as groundwater and hydrocarbons. Coupled flows, capillary processes, and associated deformation are of importance in many applied fields, (Heidug and Wong, 1995; Mitchell, 1993). Confocal microscopy (Fredrich et al, 1995) and X-ray tomography (Zabler et al, 2008) are used to image porosity in coarse grained sediments but the resolution of these techniques is not sufficient at present for applications to mudrocks or clay-rich fault gouges. Some methods require dried samples in which the natural structure of pores may have been damaged to some extent due to desiccation and dehydration of the clay minerals
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