Microbial activity at Yucca Mountain

Effects of Mineralogy and Cation-Exchange Capacity on Lighium Sorption to Yucca Mountain Tuffs.

“…Microbial communities have been characterized from a variety of deep sub-surface environments, and previous work has already identified some of the native microbiota in the Yucca Mountain region (Russell et al, 1994). Microbes vary widely in their types of metabolic activities, and the consequent alterations to the surrounding environment that they can facilitate (Horn and Meike, 1995). Presumably, native microbes that are currently present have or have had adequate nutrient resources for their existence.…”

“…The production of organic acids as products of microbial central metabolism is welldocumented (Horn and Meike, 1995). The generation of acids has been both directly and indirectly linked to metal corrosion.…”

Synthesis report on thermally driven coupled processes

“…Laboratory tests supporting the LBT, the Single Heater Test (SHT), and the Drift Scale Test (DST) are summarized in Table 2-1. Roberts and Lin (1994b;) Lin (1994 Moisture-retention characteristics Roberts et al (1996b) Mercury porosimetry Lin (1995) Electrical resistivity Roberts (1995; Mechanical properties Blair (1996) Microbiological reconnaissance Horn and Meike (1995); Meike (1996) Single Heater Test Porosity Moisture content Particle density Wang and Suarez-Rivera (1997) Heat capacitance Thermal conductivity Thermal expansion Porosity Moisture content Deformability Saturated hydraulic conductivity Sobolik (1997) Thermal conductivity Brodsky (1996a; Drift Scale Test Porosity Moisture content Particle density Wang and Suarex-Rivera (1997) Thermal conductivity Thermal expansion Compressive strength Brodsky (1997a; Mineral abundance Viani (1996b;1996c; 2.1.2 Support for Repository Design, System Studies, Performance Assessment, and Related Purposes Support for design can be shown by examining design assumptions that relate to properties of the repository host rock. Table 2.2 presents design assumptions that have been extracted from the Controlled Design Assumptions (CDA) document and that are related to rock properties.…”

“…However, soil microorganisms may have aspects that support activity in desiccated environments, such as biofilm development, that maintain local water activity. Also, in desiccated environments, fungi may be more active and have been associated with cement corrosion (Horn and Meike, 1995).…”

Installation of microbes into the drift scale test

“…Horn and Meike, 1995). At present those impacts are not understood well enough to determine their significance.…”