Microbial activity of trench leachates from shallow-land, low-level radioactive waste disposal sites
Trench leachate samples collected anoxically from shallow-land, low-level radioactive waste disposal sites were analyzed for total aerobic and anaerobic populations, sulfate reducers, denitrifiers, and methanogens. Among the several aerobic and anaerobic bacteria isolated, only Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Citrobacter sp., and Clostridium sp. were identified. Mixed bacterial cultures isolated from the trench leachates were able to grow anaerobically in trench leachates, which indicates that the radionuclides and organic chemicals present were not toxic to these bacteria. Changes in concentrations of several of the organic constituents of the waste leachate samples were observed due to anaerobic microbial activity. Growth of a mixed culture of trench-water bacteria in media containing a mixture of radionuclides, /sup 60/Co, /sup 85/Sr, and /sup 134/ /sup 137/Cs, was not affected at total activity concentrations of 2.6 x 10/sup 2/ and 2.7 x 10/sup 3/ pCi/ml.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY
- OSTI ID:
- 7001683
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 40:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
LEACHATES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
BACILLUS
CLOSTRIDIUM
GROUND WATER
PSEUDOMONAS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOISOTOPES
BACTERIA
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER
510300* - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
510200 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)