NAGRA Opalinus Clay (…002 - Version 1
FEP 12.2.4 Microbial activity

Metabolites of microbes may form complexes with some radioelements. Solved in the porewater these metabolites may therefore decrease sorption and increase solubility of the radioelements concerned. Under anaerobic conditions the complexants excreted by micro-organisms are usually not very strong. Moreover, microbial activity in deep clay rocks is usually restricted. Microbial activity is not considered any further here (microbes are part of the chemical environment, and their effects are thus included in measurements).