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Assessing the combined effect of gamma radiation and sulfate-reducing bacteria on copper corrosion for deep nuclear waste storage
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Cristina Povedano-Priego ,
Marcos F. Martinez-Moreno ,
Adam Mumford,
Kateřina Černá ,
Yon Ju-Nam ,
Jesus Ojeda Ledo ,
Ana María Fernández,
Ursula Alonso ,
Fadwa Jroundi,
Mohamed L. Merroun
Corrosion Science, Volume: 258, Start page: 113443
Swansea University Authors:
Adam Mumford, Yon Ju-Nam , Jesus Ojeda Ledo
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.corsci.2025.113443
Abstract
Ensuring the integrity of barriers in geological disposal facilities (GDFs) is crucial for the long term storage of radioactive waste. Copper is considered as a promising canister material due to its corrosion resistance. This study examines the combined effects of external gamma radiation (14 and 2...
| Published in: | Corrosion Science |
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| ISSN: | 0010-938X |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2026
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70764 |
| Abstract: |
Ensuring the integrity of barriers in geological disposal facilities (GDFs) is crucial for the long term storage of radioactive waste. Copper is considered as a promising canister material due to its corrosion resistance. This study examines the combined effects of external gamma radiation (14 and 28 kGy) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) on copper corrosion in highly compacted FEBEX bentonite. Results showed that gamma radiation significantly reduces SRB viability, suggesting that these bacteria are likely to remain inactive during the early centuries of GDF operation, when radiation is at its highest level. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses identified copper oxides, particularly CuO, as the main corrosion products. Gamma radiation was found to delay microbial influenced corrosion by altering the microbial community structure and promoting salt precipitation, including copper sulfates. SRB facilitated the formation of biogenic copper sulfides in unirradiated or those minimally affected by radiation. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of SRB in copper corrosion, broadening our understanding of long-term GDF safety. |
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| Keywords: |
geological disposal facility, deep geological repository, microbially influenced corrosion, spectroscopic characterization, microbial activity, nuclear waste repository |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación - Grant numbers: PID2022-138402NB-C21, PID2022–138402NB-C22; Gobierno de España Ministerio de Universidades - Grant numbers: FPU20/00583; Horizon 2020 -
Grant numbers: N° 847593 (EURAD-1), N° 101166718 (EURAD-2), EURAD Mobility Programme; UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)- Grant number: 2748843 |
| Start Page: |
113443 |