Microbiologically influenced corrosion: an update

Abstract

Identification of any mechanism for microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) requires an understanding of the specificity of metal/microbe/electrolyte interactions. Recent advancements in our understanding of MIC are related to recognition of the implications of this specificity. For example, under some circumstances, nutrients can accelerate rates of corrosion. In other cases the oxyanions in nutrients can inhibit localised corrosion. In some environments the absence of oxidisable carbon can force a shift in electron donor and may result in more aggressive corrosion than in the presence of oxidisable carbon. Non-corrosive biofilms can become corrosive with subtle changes in the environment, e.g., addition of electron shuttle compounds. The list of electron donors and acceptors related to MIC has been expanded in recognition of the metabolic flexibility that has been demonstrated for microorganisms. Recent research on microbial fuel cells and microbial batteries has added to our understanding of microbial/metal interactions.

Deep-Sea Biofilms, Historic Shipwreck Preservation and the Deepwater Horizon Spill

“…Microbially-induced corrosion (MIC) is a biologically-mediated process by which conditions for corrosion at a metal surface are enhanced by bacteria in the environment (Cullimore and Johnston, 2008;McBeth et al, 2011). MIC couples corrosion and microbiological processes, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly known (Little and Lee, 2014).…”

Oxidised stainless steel: a very effective electrode material for microbial fuel cell bioanodes but at high risk of corrosion

“…1b/1c), yet their inversed CPP dynamics were very similar. Therefore, we hypothesise that the change in corrosion behaviour in the mid-term was not caused by attachment, but by the conditions brought about by the bacteria [44]. From previous investigations, we know that EAB are capable of secreting mediators [45] which may become adsorbed to the electrode surface [46].…”

Tectona grandis Capped Silver-Nanoparticle Material Effects on Microbial Strains Inducing Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion

“…That the microbial attachment, the biofilm formation, and subsequent MIC induced corrosion damage of metallic material all occur on the material surface has been drawing research attention towards microbial and material surfaces interactions among the other conditions necessary for MIC attacks of metallic materials [1,6,7]. Microbes can refer to the entire evolutionary genus of microorganisms including bacteria, Archaea (methanogens), and Eukaryota (fungi), all of which are causative agents of MIC attacks on metallic materials [4]. However, motility of bacteria strains, especially the conveniently flagellated strains, enhances them with the 2 International Journal of Chemical Engineering special advantage of pioneering initial attachment to the metallic surface before attracting other secondary colonizers of microorganism, for forming MIC inducing biofilm [2,7].…”

“…This has made MIC related crises a cost-gulping phenomenon, in billions of dollars of direct cost, in many countries, while in the natural gas industries alone, MIC has accounted for about a third of corrosion failures [3,5]. Attachment of microbial strains unto metallic surfaces, leading to the formation of biofilm colony of microbes on the metal, has been identified as one of the major causative mechanism of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) [1,2,4]. That the microbial attachment, the biofilm formation, and subsequent MIC induced corrosion damage of metallic material all occur on the material surface has been drawing research attention towards microbial and material surfaces interactions among the other conditions necessary for MIC attacks of metallic materials [1,6,7].…”

“…Many metallic materials, including stainless steel, and many environments, for example, domestic water, wastewater, marine, food processing, and oil and gas and industrial chemical, are susceptible to the material degradation of MIC [1][2][3][4]. This has made MIC related crises a cost-gulping phenomenon, in billions of dollars of direct cost, in many countries, while in the natural gas industries alone, MIC has accounted for about a third of corrosion failures [3,5].…”