Sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in interim storage of spent nuclear fuel

Abstract

Interim Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel (ISSF) is an installation for temporarily storing spent nuclear fuels. Nuclear fuel storage pools must be free from contamination by corrosion-causing microorganisms such as Sulphate Reduction Bacteria (SRB). This research aims to detect SRB on the pool’s wall, floor, and spent nuclear fuel racks. The measured parameters consisted of physicochemical, total bacteria, total SRB, and detection of SRB on the wall, floor, and spent fuel rack in the pool using the SRB kit. The results showed that the quality of the water chemistry in the pool was within limits according to the provisions of the International Atomic Energy Agency, except for the total bacteria (> 1000 CFU/ml). In the water pools around the racks of spent fuels, SRB was also detected at 30 CFU/ml, while the level of SRB on the walls, floors, and spent nuclear fuel racks showed varied values from moderate to severe. This research is important especially to identify corrosion-causing microbes for water and biofilm samples. This is the first step in understanding the problem of biofilm formation and contamination of microorganisms in spent fuel storage pools.