The influence of natural trace element distribution on the mobility of radionuclides. The exemple of nickel in a clay-rock

International audience; The natural distribution of nickel (Ni) in the Callovian–Oxfordian clay-rich rock of Bure (France) was investigated, together with that of cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb). The most Ni-enriched phases are pyrite (∼400 × 10−6 g g−1 Ni), sphalerite (∼300 × 10−6 g g−1), chlorite (∼285 × 10−6 g g−1), organic matter (∼300 × 10−6 g g−1), muscovite (100–200 × 10−6 g g−1) and possibly carbonate minerals (mainly calcite and minor dolomite, ∼10 × 10−6 g g−1). Despite their high abundance (up to ∼80% in the upper part of the formation), carbonate minerals are quantitatively a minor Ni reservoir; most of the Ni is borne by chlorite and pyrite, which are minor mineral phases.…