Temperature-driven shifts in microbial reactions and community structure in bentonite under Fe(III)- and sulfate-reducing conditions: implications for deep geological repository performance

Key Points

• The aim is to understand how microbial activity changes in bentonite due to temperature variations relevant to spent nuclear fuel repositories.
• Analyzed microbial reactions in bentonite samples under varying temperature and redox conditions.
• Examined community structure shifts linked to Fe(III) and sulfate-reducing environments.
• Monitored temperature conditions ranging from ambient to high levels (40-70°C).
• Elevated temperatures significantly altered microbial reaction rates and community dynamics.
• Distinct shifts in community structure were observed between Fe(III) and sulfate-reducing conditions.
• Findings suggest that temperature variations can impact the stability and performance of waste repositories over time.