Совместная трансмутация стабильных изотопов Cs и Sr в микробиологических системах и перспективы ускоренной деактивации жидких радиоактивных отходов

Abstract

It was found during the research that in the experimental and control bioreactors, which at the beginning of the experiments contained only cesium and strontium, by the end of the experiments, yttrium and barium were found. These isotopes are formed as a result of low-energy nuclear reactions involving protons. In addition, in experimental bioreactors with an optimal composition, a two to threefold increase in the concentration of yttrium was recorded in comparison with the control non-optimal experiments. Accumulation of strontium and cesium in biomass was registered, which is explained by the process of biosorption. It is known that biosorption is the first step towards nuclear transformation (biotransmutation). At the same time, one of the main conditions for the nuclear transformation of biomass elements is its maximum efficient growth. An unexpected fact discovered during the experiment is that yttrium and barium were also found in the control bioreactor, where no biomass was added before the experiment, but only deionized water, glucose, and the initial stable cesium and strontium salts. It is important to note that these elements were not detected in the analysis of the initial salts, substrates, and deionized water. Most likely, the presence of yttrium and barium is due to inoculation of the control fluid of the bioreactor (where no biomass pellets were added) with microorganisms from the experimental bioreactors during their periodic opening for taking current pH samples and adding glucose. Also, the work recorded a decrease in the content of cesium and strontium in the liquid by 20% and 55%, respectively, which goes beyond the statistical error.