The influence of introduced micro-organisms on corrosion of repository construction materials

The work described in this report forms part of a wider project on the role of geomicrobiology in radioactive waste containment. This has established the presence of microbes in relevant geological formations including several groups of significance to waste containment. Microbial groups demonstrated have included those which could influence deterioration of repository structural materials, eg. sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB). This report describes work carried out to assess this role. More specifically the objectives of this phase of the project are: identification of suitable microbial isolates; to ascertain the growth characteristics of the isolates; to develop and construct experimental cells for use in corrosion rate tests; and to conduct preliminary short term experiments in static conditions designed to assess corrosion rates of mild steel in an ideal growth environment for SRB. Using information gained from these experiments to initiate long term corrosion experiments of steel in an SRB inoculated bentonite simulating near-field conditions in a backfill/canister system. (author)