Microbial hydrogen sinks in the sand-bentonite backfill material for the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste.

ABSTRACT: The activity of subsurface microorganisms can be harnessed for engineering projects. For instance, the Swiss radioactive waste repository design can take advantage of indigenous microorganisms to tackle the issue of a hydrogen gas (H₂) phase pressure build-up. After repository closure, it is expected that anoxic steel corrosion of waste canisters will lead to an H₂ accumulation. This occurrence should be avoided to preclude damage to the structural integrity of the host rock. In the Swiss design, the repository access galleries will be back-filled, and the choice of this material provides an opportunity to select conditions for the microbially-mediated removal of excess gas. Here, we investigate the microbial sinks for H₂. Four reactors containing an 80/20

SUBMITTER: Rolland C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11060177 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature