Microbes in radioactive waste disposal
In Switzerland, radioactive waste will be stored in a deep geological repository hosted within the Opalinus Clay rock formation. During long-term storage, hydrogen gas is expected to be generated through the anoxic corrosion of the steel containers that hold the waste. To prevent the accumulation of hydrogen, we propose creating conditions within the repository that allow microorganisms to grow and consume this gas. My PhD focuses on three main objectives: (a) quantifying microbial hydrogen-consumption rates; (b) identifying the microorganisms responsible for hydrogen uptake; and (c) evaluating the long-term viability of these processes. This research integrates engineering, microbiology, and geochemistry, and includes fieldwork conducted at the Mt. Terri Underground Rock Laboratory in St. Ursanne.