Abstract Because microbes cannot be eliminated from radioactive waste disposal facilities, the consequences of bio-colonization must be understood. At a pre-Viking era vitrified hillfort, Broborg, Sweden, anthropogenic glass has been subjected to bio-colonization for over 1,500 years. Broborg is used as a habitat analogue for disposed radioactive waste glass to inform how microbial processes might influence long-term glass durability. Electron microscopy and DNA sequencing of surficial material from the Broborg vitrified wall, adjacent soil, and general topsoil show that the ancient glass supports a niche microbial community of bacteria, fungi, and protists potentially involved in glass alteration. Communities associated with the vitrified wall are distinct and less diverse than soil communities. The vitrified niche of the wall and adjacent soil are dominated by lichens, lichen-associated microbes, and other epilithic, endolithic, and epigeic organisms. These organisms exhibit potential bio-corrosive properties, including silicate dissolution, extraction of essential elements, and secretion of geochemically reactive organic acids, that could be detrimental to glass durability. However, long-term biofilms can also possess a homeostatic function that could limit glass alteration. This study documents potential impacts that microbial colonization and niche partitioning can have on glass alteration, and subsequent release of radionuclides from a disposal facility for vitrified radioactive waste.

中文翻译：

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古代玻璃化山堡微生物群落的生态位划分：对玻璃化放射性废物处置的影响

摘要 由于无法从放射性废物处理设施中消除微生物，因此必须了解生物定殖的后果。在前维京时代的玻璃化山堡中，瑞典布罗堡，人为玻璃已经进行了 1500 多年的生物殖民化。Broborg 被用作废弃放射性废玻璃的栖息地模拟物，以告知微生物过程如何影响玻璃的长期耐用性。Broborg 玻璃化墙、邻近土壤和一般表土的表面材料的电子显微镜和 DNA 测序表明，古代玻璃支持可能参与玻璃蚀变的细菌、真菌和原生生物的生态位微生物群落。与玻璃化墙相关的群落与土壤群落不同，多样性也更少。墙体和邻近土壤的玻璃化生态位以地衣、地衣相关微生物和其他上石、内石和上生生物为主。这些生物表现出潜在的生物腐蚀性，包括硅酸盐溶解、必需元素的提取和地球化学反应性有机酸的分泌，这可能对玻璃的耐用性有害。然而，长期生物膜也可以具有可以限制玻璃改变的稳态功能。该研究记录了微生物定植和生态位分区对玻璃变质以及随后从玻璃化放射性废物处置设施中释放放射性核素的潜在影响。这些生物表现出潜在的生物腐蚀性，包括硅酸盐溶解、必需元素的提取和地球化学反应性有机酸的分泌，这可能对玻璃的耐用性有害。然而，长期生物膜也可以具有可以限制玻璃改变的稳态功能。该研究记录了微生物定植和生态位分区对玻璃变质以及随后从玻璃化放射性废物处置设施中释放放射性核素的潜在影响。这些生物表现出潜在的生物腐蚀性，包括硅酸盐溶解、必需元素的提取和地球化学反应性有机酸的分泌，这可能对玻璃的耐用性有害。然而，长期生物膜也可以具有可以限制玻璃改变的稳态功能。该研究记录了微生物定植和生态位分区对玻璃变质以及随后从玻璃化放射性废物处置设施中释放放射性核素的潜在影响。