Introduction to the Physics of Rocks

This second volume in the new series produced by the Mineralogical Society is concerned with the study of rocks from the deep continental crust. It is, we hope, timely to summarize recent petrological advances contributing to this field of active interest. Based mainly on review papers read at a conference, the chapters have subsequently been revised and expanded, while the editors have produced an introductory overview as Chapter 1. The conference was the Winter Meeting of the Mineralogical Society on 15 December 1988, at wh ich Prof. R. C. Newton delivered the 20th Hallimond Lecture of the Society (which forms the basis of Ch. 7). The editors are grateful to all who contrib- uted to the smooth running of the meeting at Kingston Polytechnic, and in the ensuing preparation of the volume: in particular, we sincerely thank all of the following for their labours as referees: A. J. Baker, L. M. Barron, M. J. Bickle, A. D. Chambers, J. D. Clemens, J. S. Daly, G. T. R. Droop, C. R. L. Friend, E. S. Grew, S. L. Harley, R. S. Harmon, N. B. W. Harris, B. Harte, T. J. B. Holland, N. F. C. Hudson, W. S. MacKenzie, W. Perkins, H. R. Rollinson, J. W. Sheraton, D. J. Waters, R. H. Worden and B. W. D. Yardley. John R.

Retallack, Gregory J

Gillen, Cornelius

Vernon, R H

<p>Clays are used as barriers for the isolation of landfills and contaminated sites. They are envisioned as long-term storage media for hazardous materials and radioactive wastes, and as seals in the case of geological CO2 sequestration or energy storage. Clay properties greatly influence the integrity, efficiency, and safety of these applications. </p> <p><i>Natural and Engineered Clay Barriers</i> provides a clear view of the fundamental properties of clay materials and how these properties affect their engineering applications. This volume focuses on how the mass transfer properties (hydraulic permeability, gas fluxes, molecular diffusion, semi-permeable membrane properties), geochemical reactivity (adsorption, dissolution) and mechanical properties of clay barriers at the macroscale are influenced by phenomena that occur at clay mineral - water interfaces.</p>

Haldar, Swapan Kumar