NAGRA Opalinus Clay (…002 - Version 1
FEP 6.2.10 Microbial activity and effects

Although microbes may survive under alkaline conditions, their activity is low under these harsh conditions. Nevertheless, due to inhomogeneous waste, areas of enhanced microbial activity may develop. It is very unlikely that products with more adverse properties than those of isosaccharinic acid (see 2.3/1.08) will form. However, at a high organic load in the waste, the carbon dioxide produced may degrade the cement and reduce the retention properties of the near field.