Microbial corrosion

Edgar Musie

0utcomes
At the end of the lecture, students
should be able to:
Differentiate between microbial and nonmicrobial corrosion
Explain different forms of corrosion and
methods of controlling corrosion
Explain stages in microbial corrosion
development
Explain the effects of microbial corrosion and
how microbial corrosion can be prevented

corrosion
Corrosion can be defined as the degradation of a
material due to a reaction with its environment.
Degradation implies deterioration of physical
properties of the material.
Materials can be metals, polymers (plastics,
rubbers, etc.), ceramics (concrete, brick, etc.) or
composites-mechanical mixtures of two or more
materials with different properties.

Corrosion
Corrosion (oxidation of metal) can only
occur if some other chemical is
present to be reduced.
In most environments, the chemical that
is reduced is either dissolved oxygen or
hydrogen ions in acids.

In anaerobic conditions (no oxygen or

air present), some bacteria (anaerobic
bacteria) can thrive.
These bacteria can provide the reducible
chemicals that allow corrosion to occur.

Forms of Corrosion
Microbial corrosion

Dealloying
alloy loses the
active component of
the metal
Erosion corrosion
high fluid-surface velocities.

Corrosion in Concrete

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC

effects of tensile stress

Uniform Corrosion
direct chemical attacks

Pitting corrosion
microscopic defects
on a metal surface

Microbial corrosion (also called

microbiologically-influenced corrosion or MIC)

is corrosion that is caused by the

presence and activities of microbes
This corrosion can take many forms
and can be controlled by biocides or
by conventional corrosion control
methods.
There are a number of mechanisms
associated with this form of corrosion

Cont.
Most MIC takes the form of pits that form underneath
colonies of living organic matter and mineral and
bio-deposits.
This biofilm creates a protective environment where
conditions can become quite corrosive and corrosion
is accelerated
The use of biocides , complete drainage (dry
storage)and mechanical cleaning methods can
reduce MIC,
but anywhere where stagnant water is likely to
collect is a location where MIC can occur.

Microbes
Microbial corrosion can be attributed to several
microbes.
These are usually grouped by main
characteristics like the effect on compounds
and by-products and oxygen requirements.
Aerobic (needing oxygen): like bacteria
capable of sulfur oxidizing
Anaerobic (needing no or little oxygen): like
bacteria that are sulfate reducing
SRB---H2S generation and insoluble metal
sulfides and cathodic depolarization

Stages of MIC development

The development of microbial corrosion happens
in three stages:
Microbe attachment
Growth of initial pit and nodule
Maturation of nodule and pit

Mechanisms of microbial influenced corrosion

Cathodic depolarization
Desulfovibrio desulfuricans reduce
polarization and increase corrosion

Production of metabolites e.g. acids

Biofouling
Accumulation of microbes

Destruction of protective biocides

and coatings

Effects of microbial corrosion

Microbial corrosion can be a severe problem in inactive
water systems.
Utilizing mechanical cleaning techniques and biocides
can lessen microbial corrosion.
However, any area collecting stagnant water is very
susceptible to microbial corrosion.
microorganisms that are capable of utilizing hydrocarbons
like Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be found in aviation
fuel.
This forms dark brown or green mats similar to a gel,
and leads to microbial corrosion on the rubber
and plastic parts of the fuel system of an aircraft.
Chemicals, Powerplant, Ships, Petroleum and Gas pipes

Significance of corrosion
Economic
Safety
Foreign dependency on metals

Methods for control of MIC

Surface treatment (polishing)

Selection of materials (replacement of metals)
Cathodic protection(sacrificial anodes)
Microbial inhabitants (biocides)
Chemical cleaning
Mechanical cleaning
Protective coating