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Title: Microbial Biofilm Growth on Irradiated, Spent Nuclear Fuel Cladding

Abstract

A fundamental criticism regarding the potential for microbial influenced corrosion in spent nuclear fuel cladding or storage containers concerns whether the required microorganisms can, in fact, survive radiation fields inherent in these materials. This study was performed to unequivocally answer this critique by addressing the potential for biofilm formation, the precursor to microbial-influenced corrosion, in radiation fields representative of spent nuclear fuel storage environments. This study involved the formation of a microbial biofilm on irradiated spent nuclear fuel cladding within a hot cell environment. This was accomplished by introducing 22 species of bacteria, in nutrient-rich media, to test vessels containing irradiated cladding sections and that was then surrounded by radioactive source material. The overall dose rate exceeded 2 Gy/h gamma/beta radiation with the total dose received by some of the bacteria reaching 5 × 103 Gy. This study provides evidence for the formation of biofilms on spent-fuel materials, and the implication of microbial influenced corrosion in the storage and permanent deposition of spent nuclear fuel in repository environments.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
DOE - NE
OSTI Identifier:
951634
Report Number(s):
INL/JOU-08-14560
Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115; JNUMAM; TRN: US0902245
DOE Contract Number:  
DE-AC07-99ID-13727
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Jounal of Nuclear Materials
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 384; Journal Issue: 2; Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MGMT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; BACTERIA; CONTAINERS; CORROSION; DEPOSITION; DOSE RATES; HOT CELLS; MICROORGANISMS; NUCLEAR FUELS; PRECURSOR; RADIATIONS; STORAGE; Microbial Biofilm Growth

Citation Formats

Frank, S M. Microbial Biofilm Growth on Irradiated, Spent Nuclear Fuel Cladding. United States: N. p., 2009. Web.
Frank, S M. Microbial Biofilm Growth on Irradiated, Spent Nuclear Fuel Cladding. United States.
Frank, S M. 2009. "Microbial Biofilm Growth on Irradiated, Spent Nuclear Fuel Cladding". United States.
@article{osti_951634,
title = {Microbial Biofilm Growth on Irradiated, Spent Nuclear Fuel Cladding},
author = {Frank, S M},
abstractNote = {A fundamental criticism regarding the potential for microbial influenced corrosion in spent nuclear fuel cladding or storage containers concerns whether the required microorganisms can, in fact, survive radiation fields inherent in these materials. This study was performed to unequivocally answer this critique by addressing the potential for biofilm formation, the precursor to microbial-influenced corrosion, in radiation fields representative of spent nuclear fuel storage environments. This study involved the formation of a microbial biofilm on irradiated spent nuclear fuel cladding within a hot cell environment. This was accomplished by introducing 22 species of bacteria, in nutrient-rich media, to test vessels containing irradiated cladding sections and that was then surrounded by radioactive source material. The overall dose rate exceeded 2 Gy/h gamma/beta radiation with the total dose received by some of the bacteria reaching 5 × 103 Gy. This study provides evidence for the formation of biofilms on spent-fuel materials, and the implication of microbial influenced corrosion in the storage and permanent deposition of spent nuclear fuel in repository environments.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/951634}, journal = {Jounal of Nuclear Materials},
issn = {0022-3115},
number = 2,
volume = 384,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2009},
month = {Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2009}
}