Development of test methods for assessing microbial influenced degradation of cement-solidified radioactive and industrial waste
This paper reports on the development of accelerated tests for evaluating microbial influenced degradation (MID) of cement-solidified wastes. An existing U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission accelerated test cannot distinguish between degradation caused by biogenic acid produced under optimal conditions in a bioreactor and that caused by active biofilms formed on the waste materials. Nutrient limitations were also observed that would significantly limit the activity of any developing biofilm. Results from this work have shown that it is possible to modify this test to remove nutrient limitations and enable the effects of MID resulting from active biofilms to be examined. Aggressive MID microorganisms can form a biofilm on the surface of cement-solidified waste so that when nutrients are provided the microbes remain active. Elemental mass loss data from exposed solidified waste forms indicate the continued development and growth of microbes on the surface of samples.
- OSTI ID:
- 20658289
- Journal Information:
- Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 33, Issue 12; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/S0008-8846(03)00228-X; PII: S000888460300228X; Copyright (c) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0008-8846
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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