Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
The reaction of unaltered olivine rock with groundwater and redox-sensitive elements (Tc, Re, and U) was investigated at elevated temperatures in the laboratory. Olivine was found to react easily with water taking up trace elements in alteration products. The alteration products were characterized using Rutherford backscattering, secondary ion mass spectrometry and electron microprobe analysis. The sample surfaces were studied by autoradiography and digital image processing techniques.