Microbial Transformations of TRU and Mixed Wastes: Actinide Speciation and Waste Volume Reduction

Cellosic samples were prepared 1/29/92 at BNL from various sources, including white and brown paper towel, and Kimwipes. The mixed cellulosics were cut into 1 cm x 1 cm squares and transferred to glass serum bottles and various treatments were conducted: unamended (U) samples were filled with nitrogen-purged brine from G-Seep (4.1 M Na+ and 5.1 Cl- with minor amounts of Mg, K, and Ca and 0.3 M sulfate (Brush, 1990)); unamended/inoculated (UI) samples were filled with bacteria-containing surface lake water, sediment, and halite from the underground at the WIPP site; amended/inoculated (AI) samples were inoculated in this fashion and amended with nutrients; and amended/inoculated/excess nitrate (AINO3) samples were inoculated with excess nitrate in the form of KNO3 (5 g L-1 (49.5 mM)). Further information on sample preparation is available. All samples were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) at SBU to identify any transformations in cellulosic material which may have occurred during treatment and storage