Characterization of microbial communities in subsurface nuclear blast cavities of the Nevada Test Site

Technical Report · Tue Jul 13 04:00:00 EDT 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/983226· OSTI ID:983226

Moser, Duane P ^[1]; Czerwinski, Ken; Russell, Charles E; Zavarin, Mavrik

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1. Desert Research Institute

This US Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Remediation Sciences Project (ERSP) was designed to test fundamental hypotheses concerning the existence and nature of indigenous microbial populations of Nevada Test Site subsurface nuclear test/detonation cavities. Now called Subsurface Biogeochemical Research (SBR), this program's Exploratory Research (ER) element, which funded this research, is designed to support high risk, high potential reward projects. Here, five cavities (GASCON, CHANCELLOR, NASH, ALEMAN, and ALMENDRO) and one tunnel (U12N) were sampled using bailers or pumps. Molecular and cultivation-based techniques revealed bacterial signatures at five sites (CHANCELLOR may be lifeless). SSU rRNA gene libraries contained diverse and divergent microbial sequences affiliated with known metal- and sulfur-cycling microorganisms, organic compound degraders, microorganisms from deep mines, and bacteria involved in selenate reduction and arsenite oxidation. Close relatives of Desulforudis audaxviator, a microorganism thought to subsist in the terrestrial deep subsurface on H2 and SO42- produced by radiochemical reactions, was detected in the tunnel waters. NTS-specific media formulations were used to culture and quantify nitrate-, sulfate-, iron-reducing, fermentative, and methanogenic microorganisms. Given that redox manipulations mediated by microorganisms can impact the mobility of DOE contaminants, our results should have implications for management strategies at this and other DOE sites.

• Research Organization: Board of Regents, NSHE obo Desert Research Institute
• Sponsoring Organization: Office of Science; USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-07ER64406
• OSTI ID: 983226
• Report Number(s): ER64406-1029728-0013163
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
Aquifer
Microbial
Nevada Test Site