Microbial Gas Generation Under Expected Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Repository Conditions: Final Report
Gas generation from the microbial degradation of the organic constituents of transuranic (TRU) waste under conditions expected in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) was investigated. The biodegradation of mixed cellulosic materials and electron-beam irradiated plastic and rubber materials (polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, hypalon, leaded hypalon, and neoprene) was examined. We evaluated the effects of environmental variables such as initial atmosphere (air or nitrogen), water content (humid ({approx}70% relative humidity, RH) and brine inundated), and nutrient amendments (nitogen phosphate, yeast extract, and excess nitrate) on microbial gas generation. Total gas production was determined by pressure measurement and carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) and methane (CH{sub 4}) were analyzed by gas chromatography; cellulose degradation products in solution were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Microbial populations in the samples were determined by direct microscopy and molecular analysis. The results of this work are summarized.
- Research Organization:
- BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY (BNL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 1026774
- Report Number(s):
- BNL--96148-2011-IR; 820101000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIODEGRADATION
BRINES
CARBON DIOXIDE
CELLULOSE
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
HUMIDITY
METHANE
MICROSCOPY
NEOPRENE
NITROGEN
NUTRIENTS
PLASTICS
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
PRODUCTION
RUBBERS
WASTES
WIPP
YEASTS