Advances in the Biogeochemical Role of Microorganisms in High‐Level Waste Repository

ABSTRACT The deep geological repository of high‐level radioactive waste (HLW) is widely recognized as a safe and effective long‐term management strategy, which hinges on the stability of the repository. Among the various factors that affect the stability of the repository, microorganisms are recogni...

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Main Authors: Zhang Ming, Zhou Fangliang, Xie Jingli, Li Congwei, Tian Lehan, Zhang Yanfei, Gu Zhanfei, Wan Zhenmin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-08-01
Series:Engineering Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70289
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author Zhang Ming
Zhou Fangliang
Xie Jingli
Li Congwei
Tian Lehan
Zhang Yanfei
Gu Zhanfei
Wan Zhenmin
author_facet Zhang Ming
Zhou Fangliang
Xie Jingli
Li Congwei
Tian Lehan
Zhang Yanfei
Gu Zhanfei
Wan Zhenmin
author_sort Zhang Ming
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT The deep geological repository of high‐level radioactive waste (HLW) is widely recognized as a safe and effective long‐term management strategy, which hinges on the stability of the repository. Among the various factors that affect the stability of the repository, microorganisms are recognized as key contributors, which can be indigenous to the bentonite and introduced during the repository construction or through groundwater intrusion in later stages. Active microorganisms are typically observed in low‐density regions and at the interfaces within the repository. The biogeochemical processes induced by microbial metabolic activities lead to the corrosion of repository containers, degradation of the buffer barrier, and other detrimental effects, potentially compromising the long‐term integrity of the repository. Therefore, a thorough understanding of microbial survival, activity, and their interactions with repository materials is crucial for ensuring the safe management of HLW. This review summarizes microbial survival conditions and sources in the repository, recent research advances on microbial interactions with repository structures, and the impact of microbial activity on the physical properties of bentonite, offering valuable insights for the development of HLW repositories in China.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2577-8196
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Engineering Reports
spelling doaj-art-855ffe7fea824d9f9b53ffa74c27a8e62025-08-20T03:41:53ZengWileyEngineering Reports2577-81962025-08-0178n/an/a10.1002/eng2.70289Advances in the Biogeochemical Role of Microorganisms in High‐Level Waste RepositoryZhang Ming0Zhou Fangliang1Xie Jingli2Li Congwei3Tian Lehan4Zhang Yanfei5Gu Zhanfei6Wan Zhenmin7Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics Zhengzhou ChinaZhengzhou University of Aeronautics Zhengzhou ChinaBeijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology Beijing ChinaHenan Geological Research Institute Zhengzhou ChinaZhengzhou University of Aeronautics Zhengzhou ChinaZhengzhou University of Aeronautics Zhengzhou ChinaZhengzhou University of Aeronautics Zhengzhou ChinaZhengzhou University of Aeronautics Zhengzhou ChinaABSTRACT The deep geological repository of high‐level radioactive waste (HLW) is widely recognized as a safe and effective long‐term management strategy, which hinges on the stability of the repository. Among the various factors that affect the stability of the repository, microorganisms are recognized as key contributors, which can be indigenous to the bentonite and introduced during the repository construction or through groundwater intrusion in later stages. Active microorganisms are typically observed in low‐density regions and at the interfaces within the repository. The biogeochemical processes induced by microbial metabolic activities lead to the corrosion of repository containers, degradation of the buffer barrier, and other detrimental effects, potentially compromising the long‐term integrity of the repository. Therefore, a thorough understanding of microbial survival, activity, and their interactions with repository materials is crucial for ensuring the safe management of HLW. This review summarizes microbial survival conditions and sources in the repository, recent research advances on microbial interactions with repository structures, and the impact of microbial activity on the physical properties of bentonite, offering valuable insights for the development of HLW repositories in China.https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70289bentonitehigh‐level radioactive wastemicroorganismsphysical property
spellingShingle Zhang Ming
Zhou Fangliang
Xie Jingli
Li Congwei
Tian Lehan
Zhang Yanfei
Gu Zhanfei
Wan Zhenmin
Advances in the Biogeochemical Role of Microorganisms in High‐Level Waste Repository
Engineering Reports
bentonite
high‐level radioactive waste
microorganisms
physical property
title Advances in the Biogeochemical Role of Microorganisms in High‐Level Waste Repository
title_full Advances in the Biogeochemical Role of Microorganisms in High‐Level Waste Repository
title_fullStr Advances in the Biogeochemical Role of Microorganisms in High‐Level Waste Repository
title_full_unstemmed Advances in the Biogeochemical Role of Microorganisms in High‐Level Waste Repository
title_short Advances in the Biogeochemical Role of Microorganisms in High‐Level Waste Repository
title_sort advances in the biogeochemical role of microorganisms in high level waste repository
topic bentonite
high‐level radioactive waste
microorganisms
physical property
url https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70289
work_keys_str_mv AT zhangming advancesinthebiogeochemicalroleofmicroorganismsinhighlevelwasterepository
AT zhoufangliang advancesinthebiogeochemicalroleofmicroorganismsinhighlevelwasterepository
AT xiejingli advancesinthebiogeochemicalroleofmicroorganismsinhighlevelwasterepository
AT licongwei advancesinthebiogeochemicalroleofmicroorganismsinhighlevelwasterepository
AT tianlehan advancesinthebiogeochemicalroleofmicroorganismsinhighlevelwasterepository
AT zhangyanfei advancesinthebiogeochemicalroleofmicroorganismsinhighlevelwasterepository
AT guzhanfei advancesinthebiogeochemicalroleofmicroorganismsinhighlevelwasterepository
AT wanzhenmin advancesinthebiogeochemicalroleofmicroorganismsinhighlevelwasterepository