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Effects of organic acid producing microorganisms on the biodeterioration of an embedding matrix such as cement and on the transport and/or retardation of radionuclides

Book ·
OSTI ID:113125
; ; ;  [1]
  1. DSD/SEP/SEATN/CEA, St. Paul lez Durance (France)

The authors` study concerns the effect of organic acids produced by microorganisms in a deep repository. In a first step, they study the conditions leading to cellulose degradation and organic acids production by cellulotytic microorganism: fermentative conditions lead to an increase of the organic acids production. Secondly, the complexation properties of uranium by these acids are shown. Finally, the effect of the organic acids on the degradation of cement, used as an engineered barrier or as an embedding matrix for nuclear waste is shown. The leaching of calcium is correlated to the pH of the solution and to organic acid production. Biodegradation of cement is expressed in terms of equivalent leach layer thickness in calcium.

OSTI ID:
113125
Report Number(s):
CONF-930906--; ISBN 0-7918-0691-X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English