Effect of Tidal Cycles on Bacterial Biofilm Formation and Biocorrosion of Stainless Steel AISI 316L

The effects of tidal cycles associated with the water level on the biocorrosion of stainless steel AISI 316L were studied. Steel coupons were exposed to different conditions of immersion in mesocosms fed by fresh seawater either continuously or in accordance with the periodicity of natural tides. After 5 and 15 weeks, all coupons were found to have undergone ennoblement associated with the formation of a biofilm. Analysis of the composition of the bacterial community using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed differences in the biological succession. After 15 weeks, exposure to the simulated tidal conditions resulted in biofilms with lesser bacterial richness; the corresponding rate of corrosion, as determined by weight loss, was about 40 times lower compared to the case for the continuous exposure to seawater. Phylogenetic analysis of selected DGGE bands and the inspection of biofilm morphologies revealed that the faster rate of corrosion was associated with the presence of iron-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria and eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms. On the other hand, intermittent exposure to seawater resulted in the succession of microorganisms resistant to the stress associated with sudden environmental changes, which was associated with a low rate of corrosion.

An overview of mechanisms by which sulphate-reducing bacteria influence corrosion of steel in marine environments

This communication provides an overview of the literature on the biocorrosion of steel in marine media, influenced by the presence of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Electrochemical aspects, microbial interactions within biofilms, the significance of medium composition and the role of iron sulphides, and hydrogen effects are discussed. A brief description of recent experiments involving the use of electrochemical techniques for corrosion assessment, surface studies employing energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microprobe complemented with electron microscopy observations, as well as the application of novel techniques, such as micro sensors and atomic force microscopy, is given. The growth of SRB in marine environments causes significant modifications of many physicochemical parameters at the steel/seawater interface, including local changes in pH and redox potential values, variations in anion and cation concentrations and alteration of the composition and structure of corrosion products. Complex chemical and biological reactions and equilibria are also markedly altered during bacterial proliferation. These effects, which are absent in abiotic media, often lead to significant changes in the corrosion behaviour of steel. The complicated nature of the local environment at the steel/seawater interface is enhanced in the presence of microorganisms and their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). As a consequence of biofilm heterogeneity, areas with different ion concentrations are formed and the development of corrosion product layers of dissimilar protective characteristics occurs.

Effect of Phosphate on the Corrosion of Carbon Steel and on the Composition of Corrosion Products in Two-Stage Continuous Cultures of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

A field isolate of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans was grown in defined medium in a two-stage continuous culture apparatus with different concentrations of phosphate in the feed medium. The first state (V1) was operated as a conventional chemostat ( D = 0.045 h −1 ) that was limited in energy source (lactate) or phosphate. The second stage (V2) received effluent from V1 but no additional nutrients, and contained a healthy population of transiently starved or resting cells. An increase in the concentration of phosphate in the medium fed to V1 resulted in increased corrosion rates of carbon steel in both V1 and V2. Despite the more rapid corrosion observed in growing cultures relative to that in resting cultures, corrosion products that were isolated under strictly anaerobic conditions from the two culture modes had similar bulk compositions which varied with the phosphate content of the medium. Crystalline mackinawite (Fe 9 S 8 ), vivianite [Fe 3 (PO 4 ) 2 · 8H 2 O], and goethite [FeO(OH)] were detected in amounts which varied with the culture conditions. Chemical analyses indicated that the S in the corrosion product was almost exclusively in the form of sulfides, while the P was present both as phosphate and as unidentified components, possibly reduced P species. Some differential localization of S and P was observed in intact corrosion products. Cells from lactate-limited, but not from phosphate-limited, cultures contained intracellular granules that were enriched in P and Fe. The results are discussed in terms of several proposed mechanisms of microbiologically influenced corrosion.

Bacterial Methanogenesis and Growth from CO2 with Elemental Iron as the Sole Source of Electrons

Previous studies of anaerobic biocorrosion have suggested that microbial sulfur and phosphorus products as well as cathodic hydrogen consumption may accelerate anaerobic metal oxidation. Methanogenic bacteria, which normally use molecular hydrogen (H(2)) and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) to produce methane (CH(4)) and which are major inhabitants of most anaerobic ecosystems, use either pure elemental iron (Fe(0)) or iron in mild steel as a source of electrons in the reduction of CO(2) to CH(4). These bacteria use Fe(0) oxidation for energy generation and growth. The mechanism of Fe(0) oxidation is cathodic depolarization, in which electrons from Fe(0) and H(+) from water produce H(2), which is then released for use by the methanogens; thermodynamic calculations show that significant Fe(0) oxidation will not occur in the absence of H(2) consumption by the methanogens. The data suggest that methanogens can be significant contributors to the corrosion of iron-containing materials in anaerobic environments.