Anaerobic microbial transformations of radioactive wastes in subsurface environments [electronic resource].
- Imprint
- Upton, N.Y. : Brookhaven National Laboratory ; Oak Ridge, Tenn. : distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy, 1984
- Physical description
- 1 online resource (Pages: 12 ) : digital, PDF file.
Description
Creators/Contributors
- Contributor
- Brookhaven National Laboratory Researcher
- United States. Dept. of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information. Distributor
- Francis, A.J. Author
Contents/Summary
- Summary
- Radioactive wastes disposed of in subsurface environments contain a variety of radionuclides and organic compounds. Microorganisms play a major role in the transformation of organic and inorganic constituents of the waste and are partly responsible for the problems encountered at the waste disposal sites. These include microbial degradation of waste forms resulting in trench cover subsidence, migration of radionuclides, and production of radioactive gases such as /sup 14/CO/sub 2/, /sup 14/CH/sub 4/, HT, and CH/sub 3/T. Microbial processes involved in solubilization, mobilization, and immobilization of toxic metals under aerobic and anaerobic conditions are reviewed. Complexing agents and several organic acids produced by microbial action affect mobilization of radionuclides and heavy metals from the wastes. Microorganisms play a significant role in the transformation and cycling of tritium in the environment by (i) oxidation of tritium and tritiated methane under aerobic conditions and (ii) production of tritium and tritiated methane from wastes containing tritiated water and organic compounds under anaerobic conditions. 23 references, 2 figures, 2 tables.
Subjects
- Subjects
- Radioactive Wastes.
- Biodegradation.
- Underground Disposal.
- Radionuclide Migration.
- Anaerobic Digestion.
- Carbon 14 Compounds.
- Carbon Dioxide.
- Chelating Agents.
- Experimental Data.
- Leachates.
- Metals.
- Methane.
- Microorganisms.
- Organic Acids.
- Toxic Materials.
- Tritium.
- Tritium Compounds.
- Alkanes.
- Beta Decay Radioisotopes.
- Beta-Minus Decay Radioisotopes.
- Bioconversion.
- Carbon Compounds.
- Carbon Oxides.
- Chalcogenides.
- Chemical Reactions.
- Data.
- Decomposition.
- Digestion.
- Dispersions.
- Elements.
- Environmental Transport.
- Hydrocarbons.
- Hydrogen Isotopes.
- Information.
- Isotopes.
- Labelled Compounds.
- Light Nuclei.
- Management.
- Mass Transfer.
- Materials.
- Mixtures.
- Nuclei.
- Numerical Data.
- Odd-Even Nuclei.
- Organic Compounds.
- Oxides.
- Oxygen Compounds.
- Processing.
- Radioactive Materials.
- Radioisotopes.
- Solutions.
- Waste Disposal.
- Waste Management.
- Waste Processing.
- Wastes.
- Years Living Radioisotopes.
- Management Of Radioactive And Non-Radioactive Wastes From Nuclear Facilities.
- Environmental Sciences.
Bibliographic information
- Publication date
- 1984
- Note
- Published through SciTech Connect.
- 01/01/1984.
- "bnl-34968"
- " conf-8404175-1"
- "DE84014561"
- International Union of Radioecologist workshop on the role of microorganisms on the behavior of radionuclides in aquatic and terrestrial sys, Brussels, Belgium, 25 Apr 1984.
- Francis, A.J.
- Funding information
- AC02-76CH00016
