Microbial degradation of LLW under repository conditions- case TVO

Minna Vikman*, Kaisa Marjamaa, Merja Itävaara

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference abstract in proceedingsScientific

Abstract

In Finland major part of the low level radioactive waste (LLW) is composed of protective plastic sheets, clothing, tools, and towels used during maintenance work. This miscellaneous maintenance waste is compacted in steel drums and deposited 60-110 meters below ground level. The Gas Generation Experiment GGE has been established in 1997 to examine gas generation from LLW in TVO's final disposal repository for operational LLW and ILW in Olkiluoto, Finland. Since 1999 gas generation has been rather constant and released gas was mainly composed of methane. The results
obtained by qPCR also revealed that methanogens formed major part of the microbial population in GGE. In addition to anaerobic degradation of organic matter there are also other processes that influence the gas formation, such as corrosion of steel and sulphate reduction by bacteria. Considerable heterogeneity in chemical conditions has been detected in different locations of GGE which can be also seen as differences in microbiological activity and diversity.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMIND (the Microbiology In Nuclear waste Disposal) Project Annual Meeting 1. Extended Abstracts
Subtitle of host publicationBook of Abstracts
PublisherEuropean Union
Pages39-42
Publication statusPublished - 2016
MoE publication typeNot Eligible
EventMicrobiology In Nuclear waste Disposal, Project Annual Meeting 1 - Granada, Spain
Duration: 1 Apr 20162 Apr 2016

Conference

ConferenceMicrobiology In Nuclear waste Disposal, Project Annual Meeting 1
Abbreviated titleMIND
Country/TerritorySpain
CityGranada
Period1/04/162/04/16

Keywords

  • nuclear waste
  • LLW
  • biodegradability

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