The groundwater bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens (CCUG 32456) isolated at a depth of 70 m in the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory secretes a pyoverdin-mixture with four main components (two pyoverdins and two ferribactins). The dominant influence of the pyoverdins of this mixture could be demonstrated by an absorption spectroscopy study. The comparison of the stability constants of U(VI), Cm(III), and Np(V) species with ligands simulating the functional groups of the pyoverdins results in the following order of complex strength: pyoverdins (PYO) > trihydroxamate (DFO) > catecholates (NAP, 6­HQ) > simple hydroxamates (SHA, BHA). The pyoverdin chromophore functionality shows a large affinity to bind actinides. As a result, pyoverdins are also able to complex and to mobilize elements other than Fe(III) at a considerably high efficiency. It is known that EDTA may form the strongest actinide complexes among the various organic components in nuclear wastes. The stability constants of 1:1 species formed between Cm(III) and U(VI) and pyoverdins are by a factor of 1.05 and 1.3, respectively, larger compared to the corresponding EDTA stability constants. The Np(V)-PYO stability constant is even by a factor of 1.83 greater than the EDTA stability constant. The identified Np(V)-PYO species belong to the strongest Np(V) species with organic material reported so far. All identified species influence the actinide speciation within the biologically relevant pH range. The metal binding properties of microbes are mainly determined by functional groups of their cell wall (LPS: Gram-negative bacteria and PG: Gram-positive bacteria). On the basis of the determined stability constants raw estimates are possible, if actinides prefer to interact with the microbial cell wall components or with the secreted pyoverdin bioligands. By taking pH 5 as an example, U(VI)-PYO interactions are slightly stronger than those observed with LPS and PG. For Cm(III) we found a much stronger affinity to aqueous pyoverdin species than to functional groups of the cell wall compartments. A similar behavior was observed for Np(V). This shows the importance of indirect interaction processes between actinides and bioligands secreted by resident microbes.

Objective of this project was the study of basic interaction and migration processes of actinides in the environment in presence of humic acids (HA). To obtain more basic knowledge on these interaction processes synthetic HA with specific functional properties as well as 14C-labeled HA were synthesized and applied in comparison to the natural HA Aldrich. One focus of the work was on the synthesis of HA with distinct redox functionalities. The obtained synthetic products that are characterized by significantly higher Fe(III) redox capacities than Aldrich HA were applied to study the redox properties of HA and the redox stability of U(VI) humate complexes. It was confirmed that phenolic OH groups play an important role for the redox properties of HA. However, the results indicate that there are also other processes than the single oxidation of phenolic OH groups and/or other functional groups contributing to the redox behavior of HA. A first direct-spectroscopic proof for the reduction of U(VI) by synthetic HA with distinct redox functionality was obtained. The complexation behavior of synthetic and natural HA with actinides (Th, Np, Pu) was studied. Structural parameters of Pu(III), Th(IV), Np(IV) and Np(V) humates were determined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The results show that carboxylate groups dominate the interaction between HA and actinide ions. These are predominant monodentately bound. The influence of phenolic OH groups on the Np(V) complexation by HA was studied with modified HA (blocked phenolic OH groups). The blocking of phenolic OH groups induces a decrease of the number of maximal available complexing sites of HA, whereas complex stability constant and Np(V) near-neighbor surrounding are not affected. The effects of HA on the sorption and migration behavior of actinides was studied in batch and column experiments. Th(IV) sorption onto quartz and Np(V) sorption onto granite and its mineral constituents are affected by the pH value and the presence of HA. HA exhibits a significant influence on the transport of U(IV) and U(VI) in a laboratory quartz sand system. In order to provide the basis for a more reliable modeling of the actinide transport, the metal ion complexation with HA has to be integrated into existing geochemical speciation codes. Within this project the metal ion charge neutralization model was embedded into the geochemical modeling code EQ3/6. In addition to that, a digital data base was developed which covers HA complexation data basing on the charge neutralization model.

The objective of this project was the study of basic interaction processes in the systems actinide - clay organics - aquifer and actinide - natural clay - clay organics - aquifer. Thus, complexation, redox, sorption and diffusion studies were performed. To evaluate the influence of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur containing functional groups of humic acid (HA) on the complexation of actinides in comparison to carboxylic groups, the Am(III) and U(VI) complexation by model ligands was studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy and TRLFS. The results show that Am(III) is mainly coordinated via carboxylic groups, however, probably stabilized by nitrogen groups. The U(VI) complexation is dominated by carboxylic groups, whereas nitrogen and sulfur containing groups play a minor role. Phosphorus containing groups may contribute to the U(VI) complexation by HA, however, due to their low concentration in HA they play only a subordinate role compared to carboxylic groups. Applying synthetic HA with varying sulfur contents (0 to 6.9 wt.%), the role of sulfur functionalities of HA for the U(VI) complexation and Np(V) reduction was studied. The results have shown that sulfur functionalities can be involved in U(VI) humate complexation and act as redox-active sites in HA for the Np(V) reduction. However, due to the low content of sulfur in natural HA, its influence is less pronounced. In the presence of carbonate, the U(VI) complexation by HA was studied in the alkaline pH range by means of cryo-TRLFS (-120°C) and ATR FT-IR spectroscopy. The formation of the ternary UO2(CO3)2HA(II)4− complex was detected. The complex formation constant was determined with log β0.1 M = 24.57 ± 0.17. For aqueous U(VI) citrate and oxalate species, luminescence emission properties were determined by cryo-TRLFS and used to determine stability constants. The existing data base could be validated. The U(VI) complexation by lactate, studied in the temperature range 7 to 65°C, was found to be endothermic and entropy-driven. In contrast, the complex stability constants determined for U(VI) humate complexation at 20 and 40°C are comparable, however, decrease at 60°C. For aqueous U(IV) citrate, succinate, mandelate and glycolate species stability constants were determined. These ligands, especially citrate, increase solubility and mobility of U(IV) in solution due to complexation. The U(VI) sorption onto crushed Opalinus Clay (OPA, Mont Terri, Switzerland) was studied in the absence and presence of HA or low molecular weight organic acids, in dependence on temperature and CO2 presence using OPA pore water as background electrolyte. Distribution coefficients (Kd) were determined for the sorption of U(VI) and HA onto OPA with (0.0222 ± 0.0004) m3/kg and (0.129 ± 0.006) m3/kg, respectively. The U(VI) sorption is not influenced by HA (50 mg/L), however, decreased by low molecular weight organic acids (> 1×10-5 M), especially by citrate and tartrate. With increasing temperature, the U(VI) sorption increases both in the absence and in the presence of clay organics. The U(VI) diffusion in compacted OPA is not influenced by HA at 25 and 60°C. Predictions of the U(VI) diffusion show that an increase of the temperature to 60°C does not accelerate the migration of U(VI). With regard to uranium-containing waste, it is concluded that OPA is suitable as host rock for a future nuclear waste repository since OPA has a good retardation potential for U(VI).

For the first time microbial tDNA could be isolated from 50 g unperturbed Mont Terri Opalinus Clay. Based on the analysis of the tDNA the bacterial diversity of the unperturbed clay is dominated by representatives of Firmicutes, Betaproteobacteria, and Bacteriodetes. Firmicutes also dominate after treatment of the clay with R2A medium. Bacteria isolated from Mont Terri Opalinus Clay on R2A medium were related to Sporomusa spp., Paenibacillus spp., and Clostridium spp.. All further investigations are concentrated on the unique isolates Sporomusa sp. MT-2 and Paenibacillus sp. MT-2. Cells of the type Sporomusa sp. MT-2 and Paenibacillus sp. MT-2 were comprehensively analyzed in terms of growing, morphology, functional groups of the cell envelope, and cell membrane structure. Strong actinide(An)/lanthanide(Ln)-interactions with the Opalinus Clay isolates and the Äspö-strain Pseudomonas fluorescens (CCUG 32456) could be determined within a broad pH range (2-8). The metals bind as a function of pH on protonated phosphoryl, carboxyl and deprotonated phosphoryl sites of the respective cell membrane. The thermodynamic surface complexation constants of bacterial An/Ln-species were determined and can be used in modeling programs. Depending on the used An different interaction mechanisms were found (U(VI): biosorption, partly biomineralisation; Cm(III): biosorption, indications for embedded Cm(III); Pu: biosorption, bioreduction and indications for embedded Pu). Different strategies of coping with U(VI) were observed comparing P. fluorescens planktonic cells and biofilms under the chosen experimental conditions. An enhanced capability of the biofilm to form meta-autunite in comparison to the planktonic cells was proven. Conclusively, the P. fluorescens biofilm is more efficient in U(VI) detoxification. In conclusion, Mont Terri Opalinus Clay contains bacterial communities, that may influence the speciation and hence the migration behavior of selected An/Ln under environmental conditions.

Reactive transport modelling has wide applications in geosciences. In the field of hydrogeology, it has been utilised to simulate the biogeochemical processes that disperse and degrade contaminants in the aquifer. For geotechnical applications, such as geological CO2 sequestration, the reaction of CO2 with the ambient saline aquifer determines the final success of storage. In a radioactive waste repository, scientists rely on reactive transport models to predict the mobilisation of hazardous radionuclides within space and time. In this work, the multi-component mass transport code OpenGeoSys, was coupled with two geochemical solvers, the Gibbs Energy Minimization Selektor (GEM) and the Biogeochemical Reaction Network Simulator (BRNS). Both coupled codes were verified against analytical solutions and simulation results from other numerical models. Moreover, the coupling interface was developed for parallel simulation. Test runs showed that the speed-up of reaction part had a very good linearity with number of nodes in the mesh. However, for three dimensional problems with complex geochemical reactions, the model performance was dominated by solving transport equations of mobile chemical components. OpenGeoSys-BRNS was applied to a two dimensional groundwater remediation problem. Its calculated concentration profiles fitted very well with analytical solutions and numerical results from TBC. The model revealed that natural attenuation of groundwater contaminants is mainly controlled by the mixing of carbon source and electron donor. OpenGeoSys-GEM was employed to investigate the retardation mechanism of radionuclides in the near field of a nuclear waste repository. Radium profiles in an idealised bentonite column was modelled with varying clay/water ratios. When clay content is limited, Ba-Sr-Ra sulfate solid solutions have a very strong retardation effect on the aqueous radium. Nevertheless, when clay mineral is abundant, cation exchange sites also attract Sr and Ba, thus dominates the transport of Ra.

A well-structured and coordinated information management practice is central to promoting efficiency in construction. Building information management encompasses authoring, interpretation, communication, coordination and storage of building information. The benefits envisioned by utilizing IT developments such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the facility management and operations (FM&amp;O) sector are estimated to be far greater than in other sectors. There is, however, a gap between the knowledge available in the field of building information management and the actual demands of the architectural, engineering, construction and operation (AECO) industry, especially the FM&amp;O sector. The overall aim of this qualitative research is to develop knowledge that conceptualizes the lifecycle supporting implementation of BIM in the AECO industry with a focus on its implications for a BIM-enabled FM&amp;O practice. This applied research comprises a number of summative and formative components: paper 1 investigates the existing and emerging information management systems for the FM&amp;O sector and their characteristics. The focus of paper 2 is narrowed down to the technical requirements on building information management systems; while its temporal scope spans the entire lifecycle of buildings. Paper 3 is a further elaboration on the findings of paper 1 and covers the technical requirements of BIM-implementation in the FM&amp;O sector. Paper 4 investigates workflows – another category of the issues identified in paper 1. Paper 1 aims to provide a general understanding of the importance and implications of implementing BIM-enabled systems in the FM&amp;O sector and also identifies the main categories of the issues associated with this approach. This literary paper reports on a basic research with a descriptive approach and builds upon the information from a non-exhaustive set of literature. In this paper, workflows, contracts and information technology have been identified as three categories of the issues associated with implementing BIM-enabled systems in the FM&amp;O sector. Paper 2 is also a literary research which draws on the notion of BIM repositories and aims to clarify the technical requirements for a more collaborative building industry as well as depicting the current status of building knowledge management technologies, recent trends and future prospects. Open format BIM repositories have been suggested as the cornerstones of an integrated information management system for AECO firms. The aim of paper 3 is twofold: firstly, to summarize the current status of the building information management technologies applied in the facility operation activities and identifying prevailing issues; secondly, to devise some technical solutions for those issues based on a case project. In the first part of this study, a summarized description of information management configurations in eleven projects were extracted from literature and the technical issues within those systems were identified. Moreover, five major categories of contemporary technical solutions for enhancing information transfer from BIM to FM&amp;O software were designated. Then, a narrative and illustrative representation and reconstruction of an IT-implementation project was developed. Paper 4 is another literary study which aims to provide the theoretical basis for more focused studies on existing and desired processes in the FM&amp;O sector and their associated information transactions. In this paper, firstly, the more common definitions of the key concepts have been revisited and discussed. Then, the generic types of the processes, activities and organizational roles common to FM&amp;O firms, the types of information required by each actor and how such information are acquired have been presented. / <p>QC 20150423</p>

The thesis focuses on various information services over digital archives and institutional repositories in the area of science and research. It aims to ascertain these online services and introduce, analyse and assess selected examples in detail. Their quantitative as well as qualitative features are emphasized - The work is logically divided into four chapters. The first one defines the basic terminology and outlines the contemporary status of scholarly communication on the Internet. The second chapter introduces a comprehensive list of services as well as their suggested typology. The third chapter constitutes the core of the thesis and presents the descriptions and analysys of the selected services. The fourth final part includes the comparison of their relevant parameters, final assessment and the perspectives of their future development. Keywords digital archive, institutional repository, scholarly communication, information services, OAI- PMH, metadata harvesting, open access

The goal of this work is proposal and implementation of the revision system that can control whole development process of a project. It shows alternatives of the implementation of its parts. The main is a persistent data storage and the system architecture. The expected result is a application that is able to present basic solved problems as are project branching and distributed data storage.

In SKB’s Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (HRL) a full scale test of a concrete plug,part of a sealing structure for the depository of spent nuclear fuel, has been carriedout. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the behavior of the concrete plug and howit corresponds to assumptions made during the design. The concrete plug is domeshaped, un-reinforced and casted in situ with low-pH concrete. It will be exposed tohigh water and swelling pressures and designed for a life span of 100 years. Duringthe first years it shall also prevent water leakage from the inside of the depositiontunnel. Before the pressure is applied, the concrete plug is assumed to de-bond fromthe rock due to autogenous and cooling shrinkage. The gap between the concrete androck is then grouted during cooling and the concrete plug will hence be prestressedwhen the cooling is stopped. The concrete plug is analyzed with the measurement data from the full scale testwith comparisons to results from finite element simulations. The performed measurementsinclude form pressure, internal strain and temperature, concrete plugdisplacements in the tunnel alignment, displacements relative to the rock and ambienttemperatures. Two assumptions have been made during the evaluation; fullbond to the rock or no bond to the rock. The results are also compared to twosimilar experiment that were previously performed. The results indicate that the concrete did de-bond from the rock before grouting tosome extent. It is plausible that a selective de-bonding was obtained. Due to highwater leakage, were cables for the measurement equipment are drawn out from theconcrete plug, the concrete plug was not exposed to the planed maximum pressureload. Results indicate that a water pressure is acting on the concrete plug frominside the rock slot which was not assumed during the design. / I SKB:s Äspölaboratoriet har ett fullskaleförsök på en betongplugg, del av ett pluggsystemför förvaret av kärnavfall, utförts. Syftet med denna uppsats var attutvärdera betongpluggens beteende under fullskaleförsöket och hur det förhållersig till gjorda antaganden under dess utformning. Betongpluggen är kupolformad,oarmerad och platsgjuten med låg-pH-betong. Höga vatten- och svälltryck kommerverka på betongpluggen som är utformad för en livstid på 100 år. Under deförsta åren ska den även motverka läckage från insidan av deponeringstunneln. Innantrycklasten läggs på är det antaget att betongpluggen släpper från berget till följd avautogen krympning och kylning. Utrymmet mellan betongen och berget injekterasoch betongpluggen kommer således vara förspänd efter att kylningen upphört. Betongpluggen är analyserad med mätdata från fullskaleförsöket som jämförts medresultat från finita element analyser. Mätningarna inkluderar formtryck, inre töjningaroch temperaturer, deformationer i tunnelriktningen, deformationer relativt bergetoch lufttemperatur utanför betongpluggen. Två antaganden har gjorts under utvärderingen;att betongen är fast i berget eller att den är fri från berget. Resultaten jämförsäven med två liknande fullskaleförsök som utförts tidigare. Resultaten tyder på att betongpluggen till viss del släppt från berget innan injekteringen.Det är troligt att den släppt på vissa ställen och på andra inte. På grundav för högt vattenläckage där de ingjutna mätinstrumentens kabelgenomföring utförts,kunde inte betongpluggen belastas till det maximala tryck som var planerat.Resultaten tyder på att ett vattentryck verkar på betongpluggen mellan berget ochbetongen vilket inte var antaget under konstruktionen.

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