Microbial-influenced cement degradation: Literature review

Technical Report · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:10139223

Rogers, R D; Hamilton, M A; McConnell, Jr, J W ^[1]

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1. EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission stipulates that disposed low-level radioactive waste (LLW) be stabilized. Because of apparent ease of use and normal structural integrity, cement has been widely used as a binder to solidify LLW. However, the resulting waste forms are sometimes susceptible to failure due to the actions of waste constituents, stress, and environment. This report reviews literature which addresses the effect of microbiologically influenced chemical attack on cement-solidified LLW. Groups of microorganisms are identified, which are capable of metabolically converting organic and inorganic substrates into organic and mineral acids. Such acids aggressively react with concrete and can ultimately lead to structural failure. Mechanisms inherent in microbial-influenced degradation of cement-based material are the focus of this report. This report provides sufficient evidence of the potential for microbial-influenced deterioration of cement-solidified LLW to justify the enumeration of the conditions necessary to support the microbiological growth and population expansion, as well as the development of appropriate tests necessary to determine the resistance of cement-solidified LLW to microbiological-induced degradation that could impact the stability of the waste form.

• Research Organization: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Regulatory Applications; EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 10139223
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR--5987; EGG--2695; ON: TI93010160
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIODEGRADATION
CEMENTS
CORROSION, EROSION, AND DEGRADATION
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROBIOLOGY
ORGANIC ACIDS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
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SULFURIC ACID
WASTE DISPOSAL AND STORAGE
WASTE FORMS