Reassurance sampling DNA extraction to support Spent Fuel Services

Since 2014, NNL have provided characterisation of pond water samples taken from SL Storage Ponds. Some of this work has also been carried out as part of on-going PhD projects at the University of Manchester (UoM), part funded by Sellafield Ltd.

The reoccurrence of algal blooms within the Legacy Facilities, results in significant impact on sludge retrievals and skip washing operations, as well as on Miscellaneous Beta Gamma Waste (MBGW) removal. This is due to the poor water visibility arising from these blooms. Previously, NNL has prepared samples of pond water, which have subsequently been analysed via DNA extraction at NNL's Central Laboratory.

This contract is for the undertaking for 16S and 18S RNA sequencing of these samples.