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The Effects of Dry Density and Porewater Salinity on the Physical and Microbiological Characteristics of Compacted 100% Bentonite

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2011

Simcha Stroes-Gascoyne ,
C.J. Hamon ,
D.A. Dixon ,
C.L. Kohle  and
P. Maak
Simcha Stroes-Gascoyne
Affiliation:
stroess@aecl.ca, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, EB&AB, Whiteshell Laboratories, 1 Ara Mooradian Way, Pinawa, R0E 1L0, Canada, 204 753 2311, 204 753 2690
C.J. Hamon
Affiliation:
hamonc@aecl.ca, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Laboratories, Pinawa, MB, R0E 1L0, Canada
D.A. Dixon
Affiliation:
dixond@aecl.ca, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Laboratories, Pinawa, MB, R0E 1L0, Canada
C.L. Kohle
Affiliation:
kohlec@aecl.ca, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Laboratories, Pinawa, MB, R0E 1L0, Canada
P. Maak
Affiliation:
peter.maak@opg.com, Ontario Power Generation, 700 University Avenue, Toronto ON, M5G 1X6, Canada
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Abstract

This study examined the conditions required to suppress microbial activity in compacted bentonite, such that microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) of copper waste containers, surrounded by compacted bentonite in a future deep geologic repository, would become insignificant. Experiments were carried out to determine the effects of dry density and porewater salinity on swelling pressure, water activity (aw) and the culturable microbial community in compacted bentonite. A dry density ³ 1.6 g/cm3 ensures that aw is < 0.96 and the swelling pressure > 2 MPa. Both conditions suppress microbial culturability below background levels (2.1 x 102 Colony-Forming Units/g) in as-purchased bentonite. Under such conditions, cells likely survive as dormant cells or inactive spores, which greatly reduces the possibility of significant MIC. Observations in natural clay-rich environments support these findings.

Keywords

corrosionbiologicalporosity
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 985: Symposium NN – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXX , 2006 , 0985-NN13-02
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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