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The potential significance of microbial activity in radioactive waste disposal

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Summary

Active microorganisms can exist in any proposed environment if the basic requirements for life are satisfied, i.e. a suitable temperature and pH, the presence of the necessary nutrients and water. If conditions are not favourable microbes may survive in a dormant state until a change will allow activity. In local pockets microenvironments may become established where microbial activity may increase leading to altered environmental conditions and to changes in the near-field, e.g. degradation and breakdown of barriers, gas generation and/or uptake and transport of nuclides.

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McCabe, A. The potential significance of microbial activity in radioactive waste disposal. Experientia 46, 779–787 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01935524

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