A Review of Research on the Geomicrobiological Behavior of Uranium for Deep Geological Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Wastes

Abstract

Recently, studies on geological environment evaluation and rock characterization using geological and rock engineering approaches have been actively conducted to enable deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive wastes in Korea. However, considering that radionuclides have a long half-life and they must be isolated from the biosphere for a long time, their long-term leakage after disposal must be considered. Geochemical and geomicrobiological studies should be included to reduce the risk of nuclides contaminating the biosphere after passing through engineered barriers. In this paper, we summarize the effects of microbes on the geochemical behavior of uranium, including the theory of microbiological reduction and adsorption; the latest research data in this filed; and the technological possibility of application in radioactive waste disposal. It is expected that the long-term stability of the repository sites may be fully secured when the geomicrobiological effects on the nuclides' behavior are considered during the site selection and repository construction stages.