Eng. Barriers for Geo. Disposal of Rad. Waste - Microbial interactions & their limits with THM-Chemical Processes at the Canister/Bentonite Interface

放射性废物的地质处置需要发展一种多屏障系统，以长期保护废物。在这个系统中，膨润土粘土的不透水屏障将包围钢铁废品罐。我们之前的工作研究了与钢铁腐蚀相关的地球化学及其对膨润土的岩土性质的影响。虽然屏障的完整性不被认为是一个问题，但结果表明，在屏障界面上可能存在适合微生物活动的环境，但后果未知。该项目将调查这种储存基础设施内微生物相互作用的范围和环境限制，特别是在长期的地球化学和物理发展背景下的腐蚀、岩土特性和一般代谢功能方面。

Geological disposal of radioactive waste requires the development of a multi-barrier system to protect the waste in the long term. In this system an impermeable barrier of bentonite clay will surround steel waste canisters. Our previous work examined the geochemistry associated with steel corrosion and its effect on the bentonite's geotechnical properties. While barrier integrity was not considered an issue, results suggested that environments suitable for microbial activity may be possible at barrier interfaces with unknown consequences. This project will investigate the range and environmental limits of microbial interactions within such storage infrastructure, specifically in terms of corrosion, geotechnical properties and general metabolic functions in the context of long term geochemical and physical developments.