Experimental investigation of the impact of microbial activity on the corrosion resistance of candidate container materials

• Published in: Sulphur-Assisted Corrosion in Nuclear Disposal Systems: (EFC 59) pp. 137 - 151
• Main Authors: Madina, Virginia, Azkarate, Iñaki, Sánchez, Laura, Cuñado, Miguel Ángel
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: CRC Press 2011; Maney Publishing
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Corrosion; Electrical & Power Engineering; Metals & Metallurgy; Power Generation and Transmission; Corrosion Damage; Electrochemical Tests; SRB; Sterile Conditions; Linear Polarization Resistance Measurements; Bentonite Samples; Corrosion Rates; Carbon Steel Coupons; General Corrosion Rates; Bentonite Barrier; Anodic Polarization; High Level Radioactive Waste; Bentonite Blocks; Corrosion Products; Inoculated Media; Mic; Carbon Steel; Sob; Corrosion Coupons; Cupro Nickel Alloys; Ramified Morphology; SCE; 316L Stainless Steel; LPR Technique; Bentonite Water
• ISBN: 1907975179; 9781907975172
• DOI: 10.1201/9781003059448-8

Certain environmental factors such as temperature, pH, radiation, nutrient supply and, in particular, lack of water could severely limit the microbial activity in repositories. Most microorganisms require water activities above 0.9 to support active metabolism which corresponds to 60-80% soil saturation. Even though microbial activity in the repository could be expected to be low, microbial activity inside the repository cannot be discarded altogether. Some microbial cells, especially those far away from the container, could resist restrictive conditions as dormant bacteria, and move closer to the container when the environmental conditions are less severe. The extent of the corrosion damage was significantly higher in samples tested in the aerated sterile media.