Electrochemical Analysis of the Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of Steels by Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

Abstract

We have investigated the differences between the general corrosion and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of steels in terms of electrochemical behavior and surface phenomena. Corrosion potential of steels in the absence of SRB (sulfate-reducing bacteria) shifted to a low level and was maintained throughout the experimental period (40 days). The potential in the presence of SRB, however, shifted to a noble level after 20 days' incubation, indicating the growth of SRB biofilms on the test metal specimens and a formation of corrosion products. In addition, the color of medium inoculated with SRB changed from gray to black. The color change appeared to be caused by the formation of pyrites (FeS) as a corrosion product while no significant color change was observed in the medium without SRB inoculation. Moreover, corrosion rates of various steels tested for MIC were higher than those in the absence of SRB. This is probably because SRB were associated with the increasing corrosion rates through increasing cathodic reactions which caused reduction of sulfate to sulfide as well as formation of an oxygen concentration cell. The pitting corrosions were also observed in the SRB-inoculated medium.