Inhibitors for Marine Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Shipboard Fuel Storage Tanks
Abstract
Problems of corrosive fuels, as well as corrosion of metals, from marine sulfate-reducing bacteria in shipboard fuel tanks continue to plague the Navy. A solution was sought through finding a toxicant which can be added to the ballast or displacement water and thus suppress the growth of the organisms. Despite their apparent hardiness in fuel tanks, the bacteria have proven difficult to maintain in vigorous culture in the laboratory. So as a first step in bioassay, a system for maintaining an active inoculum was worked out, along with a test-tube procedure for estimating inhibitive dose. Fuels used in the assays to date are avaiation gasoline and Navy Distillate. As candidate toxicants, seven materials were selected for laboratory trial on the basis of prior toxicity information and presumed compatibility with the fuel. From the tube studies three thiopyridine derivatives were among the best; experiments on a larger scale are suggested. Since the Navy foresees a wide use of Navy Distillate, we should anticipate our problems by looking into its apparent microbial susceptibility - and likewise susceptibility of Marine Diesel - to other classes of organisms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0730024
Entities
People
- Dorothea E. Klemme
- John M. Leonard
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory