The Impact of Alkaliphilic Biofilm Formation on the Release and Retention of Carbon Isotopes from Nuclear Reactor Graphite.

ABSTRACT: ¹⁴C is an important consideration within safety assessments for proposed geological disposal facilities for radioactive wastes, since it is capable of re-entering the biosphere through the generation of ¹⁴C bearing gases. The irradiation of graphite moderators in the UK gas-cooled nuclear power stations has led to the generation of a significant volume of ¹⁴C-containing intermediate level wastes. Some of this ¹⁴C is present as a carbonaceous deposit on channel wall surfaces. Within this study, the potential of biofilm growth upon irradiated and ¹³C doped graphite at alkaline pH was investigated. Complex biofilms were established on both active and simulant samples. High throughput sequencing showed the biofilms to be dominated by Alcal

SUBMITTER: Rout SP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5849744 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature