Table Of ContentEuropean Federation of Corrosion
Publications
NUMBER 15
Microbial Corrosion
Proceedings of the 3rd International
EFC Workshop
Edited by
A. K. TILLEARN D C. A.C . SEQUEIRA
Published for the European Federation of Corrosion
by The Institute af Materials
THE INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS
1995
Book Number 591
Published in 1995 by The Institute of Materials
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0 1995 The Institute of Materials
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Preface
This publication contains the papers from the third European Federation of Corrosion
workshop on microbial corrosion organised by the Instituto Superior Tecnico,
Lisbon, Portugal in collaboration with the EFC working party on microbial corrosion.
The purpose of the workshop was to summarise the actual European experience in
this field while also drawing on the recent experience from other countries. It
represents the current concerns of the problems associated with corrosion induced by
the activity of a wide range of microorganisms and, as such, encompasses a spectrum
of interest from aerobic and anaerobic situations to the control and prevention of the
problem or the assessment of new on-line monitoring techniques.
Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC)i s by definition, corrosion associated with
the action of microorganisms present in a system. MIC is, therefore, an interdiscipli-
nary subject that embraces the fields of materials science, chemistry, microbiology
and biochemistry. Since the first reports of MIC at the end of the 18th century in the
UK much has heen done to understand the role of microorganisms in the corrosion
of materials. However, the mechanisms by which microorganisms enhance corrosion
of many materials still remains unclear.
This workshop was broadly divided into four main topic areas: (i) an interdiscipli-
nary approach to MIC, (ii) mechanisms and general studies in the laboratory and in
the field, (iii) case studies, and (iv) prevention and control.
Experience with a variety of environments and materials is a feature of the reports
in this volume. Thus, data are reported from potable water, river water, seawater and
soils; the materials considered include stainless and carbon steels, copper, aluminium
brass, fibre reinforced composites, etc.
The best example of the interdisciplinary approach which is required to under-
stand the problem is given in the first section of the volume which is concerned with
the MIC of copper in potable water systems. The model which has been developed to
explain the mechanism by which copper is corroded includes the role of the biofilm
and its permselectivity. During the workshop new theories were proposed for the
anaerohic corrosion of iron and stainless steel by the sulphate-reducing bacteria
involving the role of the thiosulphate iorL.
It is also interesting to note that several new experimental techniques have been
developed and used to characterise the nature of the biofilm which forms on the metal
surface.A tomic Force microscopy and mass transport measurements using a spin-
ning disc electrode have heen particularly successful in this respect.
New biosensors have been developed for the control and prevention of MIC and
these should become commercially available in the near future. However, the use of
biocide and cathodic protection still remain the standard approaches even if their
overall efficiency may occasionally be questioned.
The case histories that are reported illustrate the wide and diverse range of
materials that are susceptible to the problem of MIC including some of the newer
materials such as plastic/metal composite matrices.
...
Preface X l l l
From the data presented during the workshop it was obvious that the mechanism
of MIC remains a major concern and that there is still a considerable amount of R and
D to be undertaken. Nevertheless, this kind of workshop has continued to improve
the general awareness of the subject to industrialists and to academia.
Improved communications between microbiologists, corrosion scientists and
engineers will eventually result in a better comprehension of the mechanisms of
microbial corrosion.
D. Thierry
Chairman of EFC working party on microbial corrosion
C. A. C. Sequeira
Instituto Superior Ticnico, Lisboa
A. K. Tiller
Lithgow Associates/University of Portsmouth,UK
(Members of the organising committee)
This volume was edited by A. K.Tiller and C. A. C. Sequeira
Proceedings of the 1st and 2nd EFC Workshops on MIC were pub1 ished as follows:
1M icrobial Corrosion (Proceedings of the 1st International EFC Workshop)(EdsC . A.
C. Sequeira and A. K.Tiller), 1988, Published Elsevier, New York, 1988.
2 Microbial Corrosion (Proceedings of the 2nd EFC Workshop, 1991),E uropean Fe-
leration of Corrosion Publication No. 8, (Eds C. A. C. Sequeira and A. K. Tiller), 1992,
The Institute of Materials, London.
Contents
Series Introduction ............................................................................................................. ix
Preface ............................................................................................................................... xii
Part 2 An Interdisciplinary Approach to Microbially Influenced. ............. .1
Corrosion of Copper
1 An Interdisciplinary Approach for Microbially Influenced Corrosion ......... 3
of Copper
A. H. L. CHAMBERLAWIN.,R . FISCHERU, . HINZEH, . H. PARADIES,
C. A. C. SEQUEIRAH, . SIEDLAREKM, . THIESD, . WAGNEANRD J . N . WARDELL
2 Physical Behaviour of Biopolymers as Artificial Models for ......................... 17
Biofilms in Biodeterioration of Copper. Solution and Surface
Properties of Biopolymers
M. THIESU, . HINZEA N D H. H. PARADIES
3 Bacteria Associated with MIC of Copper: Characterisation .......................... 49
and Extracellular Polymer Production
J . N. WARDEALNLD A. H. L . CHAMBERLAIN
4 Membrane Properties of Biopolymeric Substances ........................................ 64
C. A. C. SEQUEIRAA., C. P.R . P.C ARRASCOD,. WAGNER,
M. TIETZA N D W.R . F IS C H E R
5 Corrosion Behaviour of Biopolymer Modified Copper Electrodes .............. 85
D. WAGNEHR. ,S IEDLAREKW, .R . FISCHERJ,. N.W ARDELL
AND A. H . L. CHAMBERLAIN
Part 2 Microbial Corrosion: Mechanisms and General Studies ................1 05
6 Contribution of Microbiological Phenomena in the Localised ................... 107
Corrosion of Stainless Steels
F . COLI;,M . J . JOURDAIN, G. D’AMBROSIOA,. POURBAIAXN D D. NOEL
7 Attachment of Desulfovibrio vulgaris to Steels: Influence of Alloying ......... 119
Elements
D. FERON
vi Con tents
8 Electrochemical and Surface Analytical Evaluation of ................................ 135
Marine Copper Corrosion
B. J. LITTLEP, .A . WAGNEKR. ,R . HART,R . I . RAY,D . M . LAVOIE,
W. E . O’GRADYA ND P.P .T RZASKOMA
9 Microbial Degradation of Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites .............1 43
P. A. WAGNERR 1,. RAY, B. J. LITTLEA ND W. C. TUCKER
10 The Modelling of Microbial Soil Corrosion on Iron Oxides ........................ 152
and Hydroxides
T . S.G ENDLEAR., A. NOVAKOVAAN D L. E . I L Y I N A
11 The Influence of Corrosion Experiments on Microorganisms and ............ 158
Biofilms in the Sessile Phase
D. WAGNEJ.R T,. WALKEWR. ,R . FISCHERA N D C. W. KEEVIL
12 The influence of Metal Ions on the Activity of Hydrogenase ..................... 169
in Sulphate Reducing Bacteria
C. W. S. CHEUNAGN D I . B . BEECH
13 A Kinetic Model for Bactericidal Action in Biofilms .................................... 181
P.M . GAYLARDAEND C. C. GAYLARDE
14 Biocorrosion of Mild Steel by Sulphate Reducing Bacteria ......................... 188
I . T. E . FONSECA,A . R. L INOA ND V .L . RAINHA
15 Effect of Marine Biofilms on High Performance Stainless Steels ................ 198
Exposed in European Coastal Waters
J.-P, AUDOUARC.D C,O MPERNE., J . E . DOWLINGD,. FERON, D. FESTY,
A. MOLLICAT,. ROGNEV, . SCOTTO,U . STEINSMOK,. T AXEN
AND D. THIERRY
16 Detection and Characterisation of Biofilms in Natural Seawater ............... 211
by Analysing Oxygen Diffusion under Controlled Hydrodynamic
Conditions
A. AMBARB.I T, RIBOLLECT. ,C OMPERDE., FESTY A N D E . L’HOSTIS
17 Determination of Biofilm on Stainless Steel in Seawater in Relation ......... 223
to the Season by Analysing the Mass Transport of Oxygen
B. TRIBOLLECT. C, OMPERFE. ,D ARRIEUAXND D. FESTY
18 The Importance of Bacterially Generated Hydrogen Permeation ..............2 33
Through Metals
I . BENSONA N D R. G. J . EDYVEAN
Con tents vii
Part 3 Microbial Corrosion: Case Studies .................................................... 241
19 Influence of Metal-Biofilm Interface pH on Aluminium Brass .................. 243
Corrosion in Seawater
P.C RISTIANF.I M, AZZAA ND G. ROCCHINI
20 Effect of Seasonal Changes in Water Quality on Biofouling and ............... 261
Corrosion in Fresh Water Systems
R. P.G EORGPE., M URALEEDHARJ.A BN., G NANAMOORTTH.Y S,. RAO
AND K . V. K. NAIR
21 Corrosion Behaviour of a Carbon Steel Valve in a Microbial ...................... 276
Environment
1. C. DANKOC, . D. LLINDINN, . J . E . DOWLINAGN D W. HESTEX
22 Sulphide-producing, not Sulphate-reducing Anaerobic Bacteria .............. 293
Presumptively Involved in Bacterial Corrosion
M . MAGOTL, . CARREAUJ.,- L. CAYOLB, . OLLIVIEANRD J.-L. CROLET
23 Biofilm Monitoring and On-line Control: 20 Month Experience ................ 301
in Seawater
G. SALVAGO,G . FUMAGALPL.IC, RISTIAANNID G. ROC CHIN^
24 Challenges to the Prediction and Monitoring of Microbially ...................... 314
Influenced Corrosion in the Oil Industry
T. S. WHITHAM
25 Biofilm Development on Stainless Steels in a Potable Water System ........ 322
L. HANJANGS1I.T B,. BEECH, R. G. I . EDYVEANA N D c. HAMMOND
26 Bacteria and Corrosion in Potable Water Mains ........................................... 328
1. B. BEECHR, . G. J. EDYVEAN,C . W. S . CHEUNG
A N D A. TURNER
27 Study of Corrosion Layer Products from an Archaeological ...................... 338
Iron Nail
A. A. NOVAKOVAT., S . GENDLEA NRD N . D. MANYUROVA
Part 4 Microbial Corrosion: Prevention and Control ................................ 347
28 Electrochemical Sensor of Water and of the Amount of Microbial ............3 49
Proliferation in Fuel Tanks
B. M. ROSALES
viii Contents
29 Biocorrosion in Groundwater Engineering Systems .................................... 354
P. HOWSAMA,. K. TILLEARN D B . TYRRELL
30 Laboratory Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Cathodic Protection ........... 367
in the Presence of Sulphate Reducing Bacteria
K. KASAHARAK, . OKAMURAK D F . KAIIYAMA
31 Studies on the Response of Iron Oxidising and Slime Forming ................. 375
Bacteria to Chlorination in a Laboratory Model Cooling Tower
K. K. SATPATHYT, . S . RAO, V .P .V ENUGOPALKA.N V, .K . NAIR
AND P.K . MATUUR
32 Monitoring and Inspecting Biofouled Surfaces ............................................. 384
S. W. BOXENSTEIANN D G. 1. LICINA
33 Corrosion Behaviour of Steel in Coal Mining Water in the Presence ........ 398
of Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Thiobacillusf errooxidans
S. M . BELOGLAZOAVN D A. N.C HOROSHAVIN
Index .............................................................................................................................. 405
Part 1
An Interdisciplinary Approach
to Microbially Influenced
Corrosion of Copper
1
An Interdisciplinary Approach for Microbially
Influenced Corrosion of Copper
A. H. L. CHAMBERLAIN', W. R. FISCHER, U. HINZE, H. H. PARADIES,
C. A. C. SEQUEIRAt, H. SIEDLAREK, M. THIES, D. WAGNER
and J. N. WARDELL"
Markische Fachhochschule, Laboratories of Corrosion Protection, Biotechnology and Physical Chemistry,
Post Box 20 61, D-58590 Iserlohn, Germany
'School of Biological Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 jXH, UK
'Instituto Superior Tecnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais,
PT-1096 Lisbon Codex, Portugal
ABSTRACT
An interdisciplinary approach for studying the microbially influenced corrosion of cop-
per is presented which takes into consideration the metal site, the interphase between
copper, the exopolymeric materials produced by certain microorganisms, and the bulk
water containing the relevant cations and anions. The electrochemical results are ex-
plained on the basis of diffusion processes and multiple Donnan equilibria under the
assumption of ion selectivities of mainly anionic exopolymers.
1. Introduction
Copper as a metal is used widely because of its good resistance to corrosion com-
bined with mechanical workability, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, and
ease in soldering and brazing. Vast quantities, amounting to several million kilome-
tres of copper tube are in service for potable water distribution systems in countries
throughout the world [ 11.
The exposure of foreign surfaces to a biologically active environment usually re-
sults in their modification. This may be simply adsorption of organics or, if the sur-
face is not excessively toxic, the development of a complex biofilm. In order to char-
acterise these steps for copper, it is essential to discriminate between the primary
adsorption and secondary developmental events, which lead to the modification
and even ultimately, destruction of the material's surface. Several types of pitting
corrosion have been reported but the level of failures is remarkably low. Reiber [2]
indicated that copper corrosion is mainly general attack, with pitting only occurring
under limited and rare conditions. A range of welldefined types of pitting corrosion
of copper were reviewed by Mattsson [3], but none of these was considered to be
associated with microbial activity. However, since then two forms of pitting have
