Radiation-induced defects in dickites from the El Berrocal granitic system (Spain): relation with past occurrence of natural radioelements

This study deals with the radiation-induced defects in fracture filling clay-minerals from the El Berrocal U-deposit (Spain), which is considered as a natural analogue of a high-level nuclear waste repository in granitic rock. Mineralogical analyses shows the widespread occurrence of dickite as a secondary alteration phase, together with various amounts of associated smectite, illite, carbonates and primary minerals. Native radiation-induced defects accumulated in the dickite and smectite structure are identified by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). They are distinguished by their spectroscopic parameters and thermal stability, and can be reproduced by artificial irradiation. The dickite defects are similar to the well-characterized features in natural kaolinites, including defects stable at the scale of geological periods. Dickite can thus be used as a natural dosimeter to trace radioelement transfer in relevant geological systems. The concentration of stable defects in dickites is related to the present dose-rates, assuming dosimetry parameters from model kaolinites and several scenarii for dickite ages inferred from major tectonic events. This study demonstrates that the El Berrocal dickites correspond to different generations having recorded retention or migration events of radioelements within the whole system.