• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.421-433
• /
• 2023

The final disposal of spent nuclear fuel(SNF) from nuclear power plants takes place in a deep geological repository. The metal canister encasing the SNF is made of cast iron and copper, and is engineered to effectively isolate radioactive isotopes for a long period of time. The SNF is further shielded by a multi-barrier disposal system comprising both engineering and natural barriers. The deep disposal environment gradually changes to an anaerobic reducing environment. In this environment, sulfide is one of the most probable substances to induce corrosion of copper canister. Stress-corrosion cracking(SCC) triggered by sulfide can carry substantial implications for the integrity of the copper canister, potentially posing a significant threat to the long-term safety of the deep disposal repository. Sulfate can exist in various forms within the deep disposal environment or be introduced from the geosphere. Sulfate has the potential to be transformed into sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB), and this converted sulfide can contribute to the corrosion of the copper canister. Bentonite, which is considered as a potential material for buffering and backfilling, contains oxidized sulfate minerals such as gypsum(CaSO4). If there is sufficient space for microorganisms to thrive in the deep disposal environment and if electron donors such as organic carbon are adequately supplied, sulfate can be converted to sulfide through microbial activity. However, the majority of the sulfides generated in the deep disposal system or introduced from the geosphere will be intercepted by the buffer, with only a small amount reaching the metal canister. Pyrite, one of the potential sulfide minerals present in the deep disposal environment, can generate sulfates during the dissolution process, thereby contributing to the corrosion of the copper canister. However, the quantity of oxidation byproducts from pyrite is anticipated to be minimal due to its extremely low solubility. Moreover, the migration of these oxidized byproducts to the metal canister will be restricted by the low hydraulic conductivity of saturated bentonite. We have comprehensively analyzed and summarized key research cases related to the presence of sulfates, reduction processes, and the formation and behavior characteristics of sulfides and pyrite in the deep disposal environment. Our objective was to gain an understanding of the impact of sulfates and sulfides on the long-term safety of high-level radioactive waste disposal repository.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.29-40
• /
• 2019

In Korea kiwifruit growing area is limited to southern coastal region and Jeju island, partly due to the lack of information on their cold hardiness in winter. This study was carried out to investigate cold hardiness of Korean kiwifruit cultivars in a period of dormancy for using it as preliminary data to expand the cultivation area of kiwifruit in Korea. A total of five kiwifruit cultivars in two species and hybrid, Actinidia deliciosa ('Hayward' and 'Garmrok'), A. chinensis ('Goldone') and A. arguta hybrid ('Bangwoori' and 'Skinny Green') were subjected to five freezing treatments of -12℃, -15℃, -18℃, -21℃ and -24℃. Cell membrane damage in all cultivars initiated in -18℃/32h and cell membrane stability was lost in -24℃ in most cultivars, except for 'Skinny Green'. Cold hardiness was estimated by 50% lethal temperature (LT₅₀) which was determined by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction. In branches, LT₅₀ was -15℃ in 'Hayward' and 'Garmrok', -18℃ in 'Bangwoori' and -21℃ in 'Goldone.' The LT₅₀ of buds on 'Hayward' and 'Garmrok' was 56 and 42 hours in -15℃ and 4 and 11 hours in -18℃, respectively; however, LT₅₀ of buds on 'Goldone' was 51 hours in -18℃ and that on 'Bangwoori' was 3 hours in -24℃. Cold hardiness results imply that it may be difficult for cultivars in A. deliciosa such as 'Hayward' and 'Garmrok' to be grown in the north of southern coastal region in Korea; however, it can be possible for several cultivars in A. chinensis and A. arguta hybrid to be grown in the northern part of Korean kiwifruit belt if cold tolerance in the thaw is confirmed.