Microbial corrosion

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Associated taxa

Many different bacterial genera are associated with MIC and are often categorized by their respiration techniques. Some common examples of these are:

•Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), including Desulfuromonas sp., Desulfobacter sp., and Desulfococcus sp., etc. The SRB are strictly anaerobic.²

•Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, primarily of the genus Thiobacillus. These organisms notably form sulfuric acid during oxidation, and are capable of both oxidizing sulfur and ferrous iron.²

•“Iron” bacteria, of which there are two types: ‘stalked’ (notably Gallionella sp.) and ‘filamentous’ (Leptothrix sp, Clonothrix sp, Sphaerotilus sp, etc.). These bacteria primarily oxidize or reduce iron species during respiration.²

There are many other miscellaneous groups of bacteria that use or respire metallic substances and contribute to biocorrosion. Some Pseudomonas species can reduce iron, while other bacterial species can oxidize/reduce less abundant metals like manganese, palladium, nickel, etc. There are also biocorrosive bacteria that do not utilize metals but secrete organic acids which can break down surrounding materials.¹ ² It is important to note that not all species within a genus induce MIC and not all perform the same types of respiration.

Mechanisms of action

Despite a lot of experimentation and investigation into the detailed mechanisms of microbial corrosion, many elements of these processes are still unknown. In general, the process involves such mechanisms as: acidic degradation, electron movement, metal depolarization, polymerization and attachment of biofilms, and mineral formation.³

Effects on materials

File:Corrodedpipe.jpeg

Extensive corrosion of an industrial pipe by sulfur bacteria.

References

(1) Lindow, S. Brandl, M. 2003. "Microbiology of the Phyllosphere." Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Vol. 69, No.4. 0099-2240

(2) Delmonte, N., Knief, C., Chaffron, S., 2009. "Community proteogenomics reveals insights into the physiology of phyllosphere." National Academy of Sciences.

(3) Machowicz-Stefaniak, Z., Krol, E. 2006. "Biotic effect of caraway phyllosphere fungi on the pathogenic fungus." Department of Plant Pathology University of Life Science. 2-8

(4)Suslow, T. 2005. "Microbial Food Safety IS Your Responsibility." Vegetable Research Information Center. 1-6.

(5) Howplantswork. 2009. "Life in the Phyllosphere: What Microbes Commonly Dwell on the Surface of Leaves?."

(6) Whipps, J.M. Hand, P. Pink, D. 2008. "Phyllosphere microbiology with special reference to diversity and plant genotype." 2-34

(7) Gardener, B., Frafel, D. 2002. "Biological Control of Plant Pathogens: Research, Commercialization, and Application in the USA." Plant Health Progress. 1-18

(8) Abell, G., Richter, A. 2008. "Nitrogen fixation by phyllosphere bacteria associated with higher plants and their colonizing epiphytes of a tropical lowland rainforest of Costa Rica." The IMSE journal. 2, 561–570

Edited by student of Angela Kent at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.