The Microbiology of Subsurface, Salt-Based Nuclear Waste Repositories: Using Microbial Ecology, Bioenergetics, and Projected Conditions to Help Predict Microbial Effects on Repository Performance

Technical Report · Thu Nov 17 04:00:00 EST 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1333126· OSTI ID:1333126

Swanson, Juliet S. ^[1]; Cherkouk, Andrea ^[2]; Arnold, Thuro ^[2]; Meleshyn, Artur ^[3]; Reed, Donald T. ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
2. Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Rossendorf (Germany)
3. Gesellschaft fur Anlagen und Reaktorsicherheit, Braunschweig (Germany)

This report summarizes the potential role of microorganisms in salt-based nuclear waste repositories using available information on the microbial ecology of hypersaline environments, the bioenergetics of survival under high ionic strength conditions, and “repository microbiology” related studies. In areas where microbial activity is in question, there may be a need to shift the research focus toward feasibility studies rather than studies that generate actual input for performance assessments. In areas where activity is not necessary to affect performance (e.g., biocolloid transport), repository-relevant data should be generated. Both approaches will lend a realistic perspective to a safety case/performance scenario that will most likely underscore the conservative value of that case.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 1333126
• Report Number(s): LA--UR-16-28895
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Biological Science
ECOLOGY
EXPERIMENT DESIGN
Earth Sciences
Environmental Protection
FORECASTING
MICROORGANISMS
PERFORMANCE
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
SALINE SOILS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL