Recent Developments in the Identification of Mechanisms for Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion
Abstract
Recent developments in the study of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) represent major shifts in the identification of mechanisms and our understanding of MIC. Mechanisms cannot be deduced by the identification of specific microorganisms. Instead it is necessary to understand the chemistries produced by those microorganisms. For example, iron-oxidizing bacteria (1013) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are routinely identified as groups of microorganisms that influence corrosion. IOB are known to cause under deposit corrosion in some materials. The ability of SRB to produce corrosive hydrogen sulfide from the reduction of sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate and elemental sulfur is well documented. However, both groups of microorganisms can produce other chemistries that are corrosive. Furthermore there is now recognition that global observations of MIC-related phenomena, e.g., ennoblement of passive alloys, can be due to site-specific mechanisms. Multiple mechanisms can be used to rationalize global observations of ennoblement in fresh water, estuarine and marine environments, but the mechanism for ennoblement at a particular location may be site-specific.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 23, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA537292
Entities
People
- Brenda J. Little
- Jason S. Lee
- Richard D Ray
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory