10 Subsurface extremophiles and nuclear waste storage
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Helga Stan-Lotter
Abstract
Deep geological disposal is considered by many countries the best way of managing nuclear waste. Rock salt, granite, claystone, and other geological formations are already in use or being prepared for storage of radionuclides. Underground rock laboratories have been established for research purposes. Geologically old rock salt is a particularly suitable medium for permanent waste isolation and has a good record of performance in the USA. Issues arising from the presence of subsurface microbial life and storage of radioactive waste are reviewed here. Liquid forms of radioactive waste are the greatest portion of materials for disposal. Efforts for concentration of liquids include methods for adsorption of uranium and other radionuclides to microbial cells or cellular components. Another promising method is dissimilatory reduction of radionuclides by microorganisms, which increases the insolubility of nuclear waste and thus renders it more suitable for long-term storage. The capacities for remediation purposes of extremely halophilic bacteria and archaea, which are indigenous to rock salt, are just beginning to be explored. Nuclear transmutation - the fission of radionuclides by irradiation with fast neutrons into less harmful elements - is increasingly being developed by several institutions; however, the need for geological waste disposal will most certainly remain for many years.
Abstract
Deep geological disposal is considered by many countries the best way of managing nuclear waste. Rock salt, granite, claystone, and other geological formations are already in use or being prepared for storage of radionuclides. Underground rock laboratories have been established for research purposes. Geologically old rock salt is a particularly suitable medium for permanent waste isolation and has a good record of performance in the USA. Issues arising from the presence of subsurface microbial life and storage of radioactive waste are reviewed here. Liquid forms of radioactive waste are the greatest portion of materials for disposal. Efforts for concentration of liquids include methods for adsorption of uranium and other radionuclides to microbial cells or cellular components. Another promising method is dissimilatory reduction of radionuclides by microorganisms, which increases the insolubility of nuclear waste and thus renders it more suitable for long-term storage. The capacities for remediation purposes of extremely halophilic bacteria and archaea, which are indigenous to rock salt, are just beginning to be explored. Nuclear transmutation - the fission of radionuclides by irradiation with fast neutrons into less harmful elements - is increasingly being developed by several institutions; however, the need for geological waste disposal will most certainly remain for many years.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Preface v
- Contents ix
- Contributing authors xvii
- 1 Extremophiles: a promising source of novel natural products 1
- 2 The extremophilic pharmacy: drug discovery at the limits of life 43
- 3 Metabolic engineering of thermophilic bacteria for production of biotechnologically interesting compounds 73
- 4 Extremozymes: from discovery to novel bio-products 97
- 5 The compatible solute ectoine: protection mechanisms, strain development, and industrial production 121
- 6 Thermophilic photosynthesis-based microbial communities – energy production and conversion 153
- 7 Photosynthesis at high latitudes – adaptation of photosynthetic microorganisms to Nordic climates 165
- 8 Roles of extremophiles in the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminated soil environment 197
- 9 Bioremediative potential of bacteria in cold desert environments 231
- 10 Subsurface extremophiles and nuclear waste storage 243
- 11 Metal bioleaching: fundamentals and geobiotechnical application of aerobic and anaerobic acidophiles 261
- 12 Cyanobacterium-based technologies in space and on Earth 289
- 13 The biotechnological potential of yeast under extreme conditions 313
- 14 Biotechnological potential of tardigrades 357
- Index 391
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Preface v
- Contents ix
- Contributing authors xvii
- 1 Extremophiles: a promising source of novel natural products 1
- 2 The extremophilic pharmacy: drug discovery at the limits of life 43
- 3 Metabolic engineering of thermophilic bacteria for production of biotechnologically interesting compounds 73
- 4 Extremozymes: from discovery to novel bio-products 97
- 5 The compatible solute ectoine: protection mechanisms, strain development, and industrial production 121
- 6 Thermophilic photosynthesis-based microbial communities – energy production and conversion 153
- 7 Photosynthesis at high latitudes – adaptation of photosynthetic microorganisms to Nordic climates 165
- 8 Roles of extremophiles in the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminated soil environment 197
- 9 Bioremediative potential of bacteria in cold desert environments 231
- 10 Subsurface extremophiles and nuclear waste storage 243
- 11 Metal bioleaching: fundamentals and geobiotechnical application of aerobic and anaerobic acidophiles 261
- 12 Cyanobacterium-based technologies in space and on Earth 289
- 13 The biotechnological potential of yeast under extreme conditions 313
- 14 Biotechnological potential of tardigrades 357
- Index 391
