Water Migration Research Articles

Chemical elements migration in underground waters of mining territory

Relevance. The need to study the forms of migration of chemical elements in the groundwater of flooded copper pyrite mines in order to correctly understand and predict their transfer and distribution in hydrogeochemical fields. Ground and surface waters are a complex mixture of substances in which, depending on pH, Eh and t °С, phase transitions are formed with subsequent dissolution or precipitation of minerals. To solve these problems, numerical hydrogeomigration modeling is used, including physicochemical, which allows drawing conclusions about the scale of pollution and the localization of such areas for subsequent development of measures to improve the state of the hydrosphere. Aim. To determine the forms of metal migration in groundwater and to calculate water saturation indices in relation to minerals. Objects. Groundwater in the territory of the closed Levikha copper pyrite mine. Methods. Laboratory studies of groundwater were carried out using flame emission spectrometry, flame atomic absorption, photometric method with Nessler's reagent, titrimetric, mercumetric and potentiometric methods; mass spectrometry with ionization in inductively coupled plasma and gravimetric method. Physical and chemical modeling using the software product Visual MINTEQ 3.1. Results. According to the results of processing chemical analyzes and physical and chemical modeling, all tested wells are divided into groups: 1) wells no. 1, 2, 3 and 6, located within the former mining allotment (near the Levikha XIV mine, a man-made reservoir, the Levikha II mine and a neutralization station); 2) represented by water in wells no. 4 near the shaft of the mine Tsentralnaya and no. 5 near the dump Yuzhny; 3) well no. 7, located near the mouth of the Levikha river. Saturation indices and forms of migration of components in the aquatic environment make it possible to identify the scale of pollution and the localization of such areas. Thus, with the current pumping system, there is no large-scale pollution of groundwater at the Levikha mine. It is localized in the area of the Tsentralny mine shaft (well no. 4) and the Yuzhny dump (well no. 5).

Enhanced gelation of sturgeon frozen surimi via egg white: Exploring the role of endogenous serine protease inhibition

AbstractThe degradation of frozen sturgeon surimi can be attributed to the endogenous serine protease. This study was first to examine the impact of egg whites on the frozen sturgeon surimi's gel properties from the perspective of inhibiting endogenous serine protease. The protease activity of egg whites group (CA + EW group, consisting of 4% egg whites and cryoprotectants) was 45.15% lower than that of cryoprotectants group (CA group, consisting of 3% sucrose, 3% sorbitol, and 0.3% sodium tripolyphosphate) at 12 weeks. From the results of inhibition kinetics, serine protease was inhibited by both anticompetitive and noncompetitive inhibition modes. Molecular docking analysis indicated that egg white achieves this inhibitory effect through ionic interactions and hydrogen bonding with serine protease. However, this inhibitory effect was absent when the freezing period was extended to 24 weeks. Compared with CA group, the CA + EW group exhibited 54.76% and 4.59% increase in gel strength and water‐holding capacity, and 32.42% reduction in cooking loss after 24 weeks of freezing. Egg whites also impeded water migration and enhanced the density and smoothness of the gel microstructure, reducing protein aggregation. These results indicated that egg whites serve a dual function: inhibiting serine protease and filling the gel network within 12 weeks, mitigating protein aggregation and ice crystal formation over 24 weeks. This study elucidated the mechanism underlying the impact of egg white on endogenous serine protease in sturgeon surimi during long‐term freezing, laying a theoretical foundation for the industrialization of sturgeon surimi.

Effects of ferulic acid grafted-chitosan hydrocolloid on the quality preservation of golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) fillets during refrigerated storage with emphasis on lable-free proteomics

The effect of ferulic acid grafted-chitosan hydrocolloid (CS-g-FA) on the quality preservation of golden pompano fillets during refrigerated storage was investigated with emphasis on label-free proteomics analysis. It was indicated that CS-g-FA significantly inhibited spoilage bacteria growth, decreased total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content, retarded lipid and protein oxidation, and delayed water migration in fillets, thus maintaining the texture properties of fillets. In detail, CS-g-FA treatment caused the least total viable counts of 6.55 logCFU/g, TVB-N content of 21.56 mg N/100g, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value of 1.50 mg MDA/kg, and carbonyl value of 1.26 μmol/g protein, respectively, after 15 day. Furthermore, 27 shared differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) closely related with freshness were identified compared to the fresh sample. CS-g-FA inhibited structural proteins degradation, while reduced the expression of metabolic enzymes to maintain fillets quality and extend the shelf-life. Several DEPs could be identified as potential proteomics markers for golden pompano freshness assessment. Thus, CS-g-FA serve as promising coating for quality preservation of aquatic products.

Hydration and solution properties of fluorescently labeled wheat arabinoxylans following enzymatic hydrolysis

Wheat arabinoxylan (AX) exhibits characteristics of high molecular weight (Mw), strong water absorption and water holding capacity, which significantly influence the hydration and solubility properties of wheat flour. However, challenges existed in visualizing the distribution of AX and quantifying water content accurately. This study investigated the effect of fluorescent labeling on the physicochemical properties of AX with different Mw. AX was initially degraded using xylanase, which resulted in the formation of AX fragments with different Mw. As the xylanase concentration increased, the Mw, degree of aggregation and apparent viscosity of AX decreased, whereas the water binding capacity, solubility and hydrophilicity increased. Enzymatically hydrolyzed AX was covalently linked to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) through reductive amination modification, yielding AX-tyramine-FITC. Compared to AX, AXTF exhibited a slightly higher Mw, with a slight increase in water binding capacity and hydrophilicity, a significant increase in solubility. The degree of aggregation and apparent AX viscosity also increased slightly. The fluorescent labeling had a minor effect on AX properties, and the trend in AXTF properties with respect to Mw was consistent with that of AX. This study established a basis for the effect of AX with different Mw on the water migration pattern in the flour system, and provided a theoretical basis for the application of AX fluorescent labeling for visualization purposes.

Research on the bonding behavior and durability of cement-asphalt mortar acted as repair and protective layer

In order to enhance the durability of cementitious materials, cement-asphalt mortar (hereafter shorted as CA mortar) acted as a coverage of protective layer on the surface of cementitious materials was employed to block the migration of water and ions in this investigation. The results demonstrated that the ratio of flexural strength to compressive strength increased as the increase of asphalt emulsion to cement ratio (A/C), while the fracture energy of CA mortar arrived a peak value at the A/C of 0.15, corresponding to the optimal toughness of CA mortar of 83.16 J/m2. The bonding strength between CA mortar and substrate mortar decreased gradually from 1.55 MPa to 1.26 MPa as the increase of A/C from 0 to 0.45, which could still satisfy the requirement of repair and protective mortar. The electrical flux of CA mortars with A/C of 0.15, 0.3 and 0.45 decreased by 21.47 %, 26.68 % and 27.59 % in relative to the CA mortar with A/C of 0. As the rising of A/C, the resistance capacity of CA mortar on the sulfuric acid (pH=1) corrosion improved significantly. All in all, the durability of CA mortar under the chloride and acid environments was improved considerably as the A/C increasing. However, the frost resistance of CA mortars deteriorated gradually with the increase of A/C from 0 to 0.45 after the freeze-thaw cycles, that is, the application of CA mortars should be avoided in the cold condition.

Model test of in-situ remediation for heavy metal-contaminated clayey soil by artificial freezing and shaft washing

The low permeability of clayey soil and the pressure of liquid extraction and injection tend to form preferential flow paths in the soil, diminishing the remediation efficiency of shaft washing. Therefore, a new in-situ repair method combining artificial freezing and shaft washing is proposed. Using Pb and Cd contaminated clayey soil as the research object, in-situ model tests of different eluent types, concentrations, and suction modes were conducted to investigate the removal rate of heavy metals and the distribution of temperature and water field. The results demonstrated that the artificial freezing method can effectively induce the water (eluent) migration from the unfrozen zone to the freezing front. Besides, it effectively resolved the issue of poor washing efficiency caused by preferential flow between the extraction and injection wells during the extraction process. After five freeze-thaw cycles, the removal rate of Pb and Cd reached 46.16 % and 59.04 %, respectively. The combination of artificial freezing and plastic drainage plate technology merges artificial freezing and shaft washing methods to achieve the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil, providing a reference for the in-situ remediation of heavy metal-contaminated clayey soil.

The role of fault pathways for modern and deep recharge to a semi-confined aquifer: revised analysis of modern water leakage pathways in the Davis wellfield, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Hydrologic tracer, borehole log and geophysical data provide new insight into recharge sources and pathways to the semi-confined Memphis aquifer in the Davis wellfield, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A. New data and recent studies highlight the importance of faults as potential pathways for the migration of modern water into the Memphis aquifer, an important regional public, industrial, and agricultural water supply. Geochemical and environmental tracer data collected over the past 28 years, combined with hydrologic, stratigraphic, and structural data, were used to evaluate changes in water quality and different recharge pathways to the Memphis aquifer. Assessment of stratigraphic and structural relationships argue for the wellfield being bound by a fault along the bluff line (west) and another fault or faults along the eastern and southeastern margins. Modern water recharge (< 60 years old) occurs through the fault along the western boundary of the wellfield, whereas modern water and, seasonally, deep-seated (helium-bearing) fluids recharge along the fault on the southeastern margin. Each recharge source and pathway present different vulnerabilities, suggesting that the role of faults in wellfields within active tectonic regions needs to be assessed.

Investigation of the Temperature and Horizontal Freezing Force of Loess in Three-Dimensional Freezing.

Seasonal frozen soil has significant impacts on changes in soil mechanical properties, settlement, and damage to foundations. In order to study variations in the temperature and horizontal freezing force of loess during three-dimensional freezing, a three-dimensional freezing model test of loess was carried out. This experiment analyzed and studied the soil temperature change distribution characteristics, horizontal freezing force distribution rules, and water migration phenomena caused by temperature. The research results show that the temperature change in soil samples exhibits a "ring-like" decrease from the outside to the inside. When the soil temperature reaches the supercooling point, the cooling curve jumps and rises, and this is accompanied by a stable section with constant temperature. In the late freezing period, the temperature rate drops slowly. Under the action of freezing, the horizontal freezing forces at different positions have similar change characteristics and can be divided into four change stages: stable stage, rapid freezing stage, "secondary" freezing stage, and freezing-shrinkage-rebound stable stage. At lower moisture contents, loess samples undergo freeze-thaw shrinkage during the freezing process. During the rapid freezing stage of soil samples, the water in the soil sample migrates and causes secondary freezing. After the rapid freezing stage, the soil temperature continues to decrease, and the horizontal freezing force no longer decreases.

Effect of different precooling methods on the physicochemical changes, water migration and myofibrillar protein characteristics of pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus) during cold storage

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of slurry ice (SI) in physicochemical changes, water migration, myofibrillar protein characterisation, and extended shelf life during cold storage of pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus). SI provided faster cooling rate, better structural stability of muscle tissue, and a significant reduction in total viable count (TVC). In addition, the use of SI treatment resulted in a considerable reduction in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) and pH. The results of the texture profile analysis (TPA) demonstrated that SI had a significant inhibitory effect on the reduction of hardness, springiness, resilience, and chewiness. In addition, SI treatment better maintained a well‐structured myofibrillar protein stabilising the tertiary structure. Low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that SI treatment could retard the water migration. Furthermore, the results of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that SI treatment of pufferfish effectively slowed down the degradation of their myofibrillar protein fraction throughout the cold storage.

Petroleum induces soil water repellency and impedes the infiltration and evaporation processes in sandy soil

Contamination with petroleum could alter the soil hydrological processes and degrade soil and vegetation. Reclamation of petroleum contaminated soil is limited by the absence of scientific data regarding contaminated soil hydrological properties. In this study, we determined the effects of petroleum contamination on the hydrological properties of sandy soil with different contamination levels (0 g kg−1, 5 g kg−1, 10 g kg−1, 20 g kg−1, and 40 g kg−1), through the Water Drop Penetration Time (WDPT) test, infiltration and evaporation experiment in soil columns. The results showed that petroleum contamination increased the water repellency of sandy soil (hydrophilic) to slightly hydrophobic (5 g kg−1), strongly hydrophobic (10 g kg−1), extremely hydrophobic (20 g kg−1, 40 g kg−1). With the increased water repellency, the average infiltration rate decreased from 5.65 mm min−1 to 2.88, 1.17, 0.24, 0.13 mm min−1, and the accumulated evaporation decreased from 59.62 mm to 55.26, 53.91, 45.03, 37.76 mm. Our study indicated that petroleum contamination reduced the soil infiltrability and evaporation in sandy soil, and the increased water repellency was the main reason for these changes. However, more researches were still deserved to explore the effects of hydrological properties on soil water, rainfall-runoff, and pollutant migration in petroleum contaminated soil, especially in the future of global warming and intensified hydrological cycles. Our findings provide the scientific data for understanding the hydrological properties to remove pollution and restore vegetation successfully in petroleum contaminated soil.

Impact of Irrigation on Soil Water Balance and Salinity at the Boundaries of Cropland, Wasteland and Fishponds under a Cropland–Wasteland–Fishpond System

In order to explore the effect of fishponds on soil water, salt transport and salinization in cropland wasteland, a study on soil water balance and salt distribution pattern in a cropland–wasteland–fishpond system was carried out in 2022–2023 in a typical study area selected from the Yichang Irrigation Area of the Hetao Irrigation District. A water balance model was established for the cropland–wasteland–fishpond system to analyze the effects of irrigation on soil salinity at the boundaries of the cropland, wasteland, and fishpond. The results showed that the lateral recharge from the cropland to the wasteland during spring irrigation in 2022 was 24 mm, the lateral recharge generated by fishponds to wasteland was 18 mm, and the lateral recharge from fishponds to fishpond boundaries was 34 mm. In the fertility period of 2023, the lateral recharge from cropland to wasteland was 15 mm, the lateral recharge from fishponds to wasteland was 9 mm, and the lateral recharge from fishponds to fishpond boundaries was 21 mm. Due to the low salinity content of fishpond water, it diluted the groundwater of the wasteland, and the soil salinity at the boundary between the wasteland and the fishpond was monitored. The data show that the soil salinity at the boundary of the fishpond was smaller than that of the wasteland, which indicates that the migration of fishpond water to the wasteland will not lead to an increase in the soil salinity of the wasteland, but rather to a decrease in the soil salinity of the wasteland. Fishpond regulation has a significant impact on soil and groundwater, and when the topographic conditions of the Hetao irrigation area allow, the model of cropland–wasteland–fishpond can be appropriately adopted to solve land degradation and increase the economic income of farmers; the results of the study provide a contribution for the improvement of the management of land use and soil salinization in the Hetao irrigation area.

Numerical Simulation of Water Migration during Soil Freezing and Its Resulting Characterization

Numerical Simulation of Water Migration during Soil Freezing and Its Resulting Characterization

Effect of salt-induced supercooling stability on the quality of chicken breast during supercooled storage

The effect of salt on the stability and quality of fresh chicken breast meat during supercooling preservation was investigated. The results showed that 0.75% salt kept the non-frozen state of chicken breast at −3 °C for 12 days. Compared to storage at −1 °C, storing at −3 °C could further extend the shelf life of chicken, but there was a risk of freezing the chicken meat (31% frozen after 4 d and all after 8 d). Microstructure images revealed that muscle fibers in the −3 °C samples were destroyed by crystallization, whereas ice nucleation was not observed in the −3 °C + salt treatment. The drip loss and centrifuging loss of the −3 °C + salt group after 12 days of storage (1.48%, 20.10%) were significantly lower than those of the −1 °C group (4.14%, 24.49%), the −3 °C group (8.37%, 27.47%), and the −1 °C + salt group (1.99%, 22.60%). Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance results showed that water migration in chicken breast was inhibited with −3 °C + salt treatment. Overall, the good quality of chicken breast was maintained by −3 °C + salt. The results provide a theoretical basis for industrial application of supercooling preservation of chicken.

A Quasi-Steady Model for Estimating the Rate of Frost Heave When Subjected to Overburden Pressure

The soil beneath buildings constructed in cold regions is affected by frost heave, causing the walls to crack and even the buildings to incline and collapse. Therefore, predicting the frost heave when subjected to overburden pressure is crucial for engineering buildings in cold areas. Utilizing the conservation equation of mass, Darcy’s equation, and the assumption that the pore water pressure at the top of a frozen fringe, denoted as uw, during the quasi-steady state can be approximately estimated using the Clapeyron equation, a quasi-steady frost heave rate model considering the overburden pressure was proposed. This study considered the difference in pore water pressure within the frozen fringe, which causes water to move from the unfrozen zone to the ice lens, where it subsequently accumulates and freezes into ice. The pore water pressure at the bottom of the frozen fringe, denoted as uu, can be estimated using the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC). The thickness of the frozen fringe was determined using the freezing temperature, segregation temperature, and temperature gradient. The segregation temperature was determined using the two-point method. Additionally, the model suggested that, when uw = uu, the movement of water stopped, leading to the end of frost heave. To validate the proposed model, three existing frost-heaving experiments were analyzed. The findings demonstrated that the estimated rates of frost heave of the samples closely matched the experimental data. Additionally, external pressure delayed water migration. This study can offer theoretical support for building engineering in cold regions.

The effect of antigorite dehydration on velocity structure and water migration in subduction zones

The water migration in subduction zones, primarily driven by the phase transition in hydrous minerals, can give rise to hydrated regions with reduced velocity. A fundamental element in comprehending and deciphering these low-velocity zones revolves around acquiring insights into the stability and elasticity of relevant hydrous minerals. As one of the main water carriers in shallow areas, antigorite can dehydrate to form talc, forsterite, and fluid (talc–bearing peridotites) in deep areas of subduction zones, and then the talc thus serves as one of the minerals that can bring water to the deep Earth. Here, the elasticity of talc up to 24 GPa and forsterite up to 12 GPa are calculated by using the first principles method. The result supposes that the talc structure transforming from talc I to talc II is at a pressure between 6 GPa and 8 GPa, impacting the trend of elastic wave velocity in response to pressure. Furthermore, the elastic wave velocity of forsterite can be significantly affected by iron concentration. Meanwhile, a variation velocity model with antigorite consumption and talc content is set up for talc-bearing serpentinized peridotite based on the elastic properties of talc and forsterite in this study, and antigorite in Wang et al. (2022). The results of our model demonstrate a decrease in the low-velocity anomaly in subduction zones, particularly in deep regions or areas with higher initial serpentinization degrees. The results also suggest that the mode of antigorite dehydration can diminish the estimation of water content transported to depths of subduction zones, such as the Mariana Trench and Northern Japan subduction zones. The mode of antigorite dehydration thus provides a useful tool for constraining the composition, seismic velocity structure, and water migration in subduction zones.

Effects of soaking treatment on water distribution of rice grains, starch characteristics and eating quality of wet rice noodles

Herein, rice was subjected to different soaking processes on water distribution of rice grains, starch characteristics, and eating quality of fresh wet rice noodles. Results demonstrated that, when soaked at temperatures between 10 °C and 40 °C for 120 min, rice grains reached saturation in water absorption, and the hardness gradually stabilized. However, the moisture continued to penetrate the interior of rice grains after 120 min, leading to an increase in moisture content, higher water permeability, and enlarged water migration channels. With extended soaking time periods, the content of damaged starch in rice flour considerably decreased. Although the gelatinization temperature of rice starch decreased after soaking, the enthalpy required for gelatinization increased. The relative crystallinity of rice starch demonstrated an increasing trend, followed by a decreasing trend, and reached its highest value of 18.18 % after 60 min of soaking. To summarize, the texture indices of fresh rice noodles demonstrated an increasing trend, although stretching and cooking quality demonstrated a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing with no considerable changes observed between 120 and 240 min of soaking. In summary, moderate soaking treatment can enhance the edible quality of fresh wet rice noodles.

The effect of CaCl2 on water migration, rheological properties, aggregation behavior and protein structure in rapidly salted separated egg yolk plasma and granules

This research investigated the effects of CaCl2 on the aggregation behavior and protein structure of egg yolk plasma and granules after fast salting. The addition of CaCl2 to the salt solution decreased T23, D [4,3] and the absolute value of the zeta potential by 6.71%, 3.66%, and 3.15%, respectively, while increasing T22 by 15.85% in egg yolk plasma. Moreover, adding CaCl2 also increased the apparent viscosity and G' value of egg yolk plasma. On the other hand, the addition of CaCl2 decreased the T22, T23, D [4,3], and absolute value of the zeta potential of egg yolk granules by 56.53%, 6.71%, 6.02%, and 34.27%, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of CaCl2 increased the number of β-turns by 51.22%, whereas it decreased the number of β-sheets by 26.55% in egg yolk plasma protein. The α-helices, β-turns, and β-sheets of egg yolk granule protein decreased by 6.58%, 3.58%, and 6.96%, respectively. Additionally, the addition of CaCl2 can increase the degree of λmax redshift in egg yolk plasma and decrease the degree of λmax redshift in egg yolk granules. Overall, the addition of CaCl2 can change the aggregation mode of proteins in egg yolk plasma and granules, improving the quality of salted egg yolk products.

Understanding and predicting micro-characteristics of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with green porous lightweight aggregates: Insights from machine learning techniques

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is an advanced material in construction. Porous lightweight aggregates (PLWA) could reduce the self-shrinkage risk of UHPC by maintaining internal relative humidity. However, understanding and predicting the water migration processes influenced by PLWA are still challenging. Given that machine learning (ML) has shown promise in modeling complex relationships, this study aims to create a reliable ML model to predict and analyze the micro-properties of UHPC with different green PLWAs (pumice and phosphogypsum aggregates). Furthermore, it aims to enhance our understanding of how PLWA influences the microstructure development within the UHPC. The research results demonstrated that convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm with an R2 value exceeding 0.95 in both the test and training data. Meanwhile, the CNN was employed to predict time-dependent water content and hydration degree of UHPC containing various types of PLWA and multiple-aggregates, aiding in the exploration of how different PLWA impact the water migration of UHPC. Based on the ML analysis results, pumice aggregates and multiple-aggregates both contributed to reducing the rate of water migration, subsequently reducing UHPC shrinkage. Finally, some insights on the use of ML techniques for predicting and understanding the micro properties of UHPC were discussed. ML was employed for micro-performance prediction and in-depth analysis, thereby advancing the intelligent evolution of green UHPC products.

Insight into konjac glucomannan-retarding deterioration of steamed bread during frozen storage: Quality characteristics, water status, multi-scale structure, and flavor compounds

Konjac glucomannan (KGM), a water-soluble hydrocolloid, holds considerable potential in the food industry, especially for improving the quality and nutritional properties of frozen products. This study explored the alleviative effect of KGM on the quality characteristics, water status, multi-scale structure, and flavor compounds of steamed bread throughout frozen storage. KGM significantly improved the quality of steamed bread by slowing down the decrease in water content and the increase in water migration while maintaining softness and taste during frozen storage. Notably, KGM also delayed amylopectin retrogradation and starch recrystallization, thus preserving the texture and structure of the steamed bread. At week 3, the microstructure of the steamed bread with 1.0 % KGM remained intact, with the lowest free sulfhydryl content. Additionally, heat map analysis revealed that KGM contributed to flavor retention in steamed bread frozen for 3 weeks. These results indicate that KGM holds promise as an effective cryoprotectant for improving the quality of frozen steamed bread.

Experimental Study on Heat Conduction and Water Migration of Composite Bentonite Samples.

The joints of buffer material composite blocks as potential weak parts in the engineering barrier system of a high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repository must be studied in depth. Therefore, a laboratory experiment device suitable for unsaturated composite bentonite samples was developed. The evolution of temperature and volumetric water content at different locations of Gaomiaozi (GMZ) composite bentonite samples with time before and after simulated water inflow was measured by the experiment device. According to the experimental results, the thermal conductivity and hydraulic conductivity of the joint location after healing of the composite bentonite samples were obtained. The experimental results show that the change in the internal temperature of the composite bentonite samples is mainly affected by the temperature boundary and that the change in the internal water has little effect on it. In a short period of time, the loading of hydraulic boundary conditions only makes the volumetric water content of the soil near the hydraulic boundary increase significantly but has little effect on other locations. And, affected by the temperature boundary, the volumetric water content of the soil near the temperature boundary gradually decreases with time. The process of hydration swelling of the composite bentonite sample is accompanied by the adjustment of stress. The composite bentonite samples are continuously squeezed to the joint area after hydration swelling, the whole composite samples are generally homogenized, and the joints between the composite bentonite samples tend to heal. The thermal conductivity and permeability of the joint location after healing can meet the requirements of the engineering barrier of the HLW repository.