Temperature-dependent microbial reactions by indigenous microbes in bentonite under Fe(III)- and sulfate-reducing conditions

Park, Su-Young; Zhang, Yidan; O’Loughlin, Edward J.; Jo, Ho Young; Kwon, Jang-Soon; Kwon, Man Jae

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133318

Title: Temperature-dependent microbial reactions by indigenous microbes in bentonite under Fe(III)- and sulfate-reducing conditions

Journal Article · 19 December 2023 · Journal of Hazardous Materials

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133318 · OSTI ID:2467420

Park, Su-Young ^[1]; Zhang, Yidan ^[1]; O’Loughlin, Edward J. ^[2]; Jo, Ho Young ^[1]; Kwon, Jang-Soon ^[3]; Kwon, Man Jae ^[1]

Korea Univ., Seoul, (Korea, Republic of)
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

Bentonite is a promising buffer material for constructing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) repositories. However, indigenous microbes in bentonite can be introduced to the repository and subsequent sealing of the repository develops anoxic conditions over time which may stimulate fermentation and anaerobic respiration, possibly affecting bentonite structure and SNF repository stability. Moreover, the microbial activity in the bentonite can be impacted by the heat generated from radionuclides decay. Therefore, to investigate the temperature effect on microbial activities in bentonite, we created microcosms with WRK bentonil (a commercial bentonite) using lactate as the electron donor, and sulfate and/or ferrihydrite (Fe(III)) as electron acceptors with incubation at 18 °C and 50 °C. Indigenous WRK microbes reduced sulfate and Fe(III) at both temperatures but with different rates and extents. Lactate was metabolized to acetate at both temperatures, but only to propionate at 18 °C during early-stage microbial fermentation. More Fe(III)-reduction at 18 °C but more sulfate-reduction at 50 °C was observed. Thermophilic and/or metabolically flexible microbes were involved in both fermentation and Fe(III)/ sulfate reduction. In conclusion, our findings illustrate the necessity of considering the influence of temperature on microbial activities when employing bentonite as an engineered buffer material in construction of SNF repository barriers.

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Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER). Earth & Environmental Systems Science (EESS)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 2467420

Journal Information:: Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Hazardous Materials Journal Issue: 133318 Vol. 465; ISSN 0304-3894

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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