AQUIFERS AS ENVIRONMENTS FOR MICROBIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

The ability of an aquifer to support microbiological activity depends on several factors: the availability of nutrients and energy sources f or microbial use; the physical characteristics of the aquifer itself ( such as the groundwater flow regime); and the environmental conditions experienced by the organisms (such as temperature and pH). These fact ors will be reviewed and their implications discussed in relation to g roundwater quality and to the geological disposal of radioactive waste s.