ClimateAugust 12, 2026
bentonite
BEN-tuh-nite
Definition
A highly absorbent, clay-like material that expands when wet, used in this context to seal geothermal boreholes and prevent the cross-contamination of groundwater layers.
Etymology
The word is derived from Fort Benton, Wyoming, near which the material was originally discovered. The suffix -ite is commonly used in geology to denote minerals or rocks.
In the news
Bentonite is identified as a critical material for sealing boreholes to protect local aquifers from potential contaminants during the drilling process. Its use is essential to the safety and environmental integrity of geothermal system installations.
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