Stability against biodegradation

Microbial stability shows up in the tests described above owing to a substantial degree of degradation at temperatures below 70°C, while the tracer

^ MATRIX: Sandstone, Chalk, Clay dispersed in seawater

SS 110 n————————— .————————— .———————-

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Contact time at 120°C (days)

I Sandstone [] Carbonate ■ Clay

FIG. 35. Stability of S14CN in contact with sandstone, carbonate and clay substrates at 120 °C as a function of contact time. Fractional remaining activity is found from Eq. (15).

survivability may be better at higher temperatures. An example of this is the formate ion H14COO — that seems to be degraded to 14CO2.

It is also possible to add certain specific bacterial cultures to the vials to check the effect. The experiments may be somewhat difficult to control. Aerobic and anaerobic tests may be performed.