The microbial corrosion or the
microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) is defined as the deterioration of
metals as a result of metabolic activities of microorganisms. MIC leads to
important economical losses in many industries and services. Anaerobic
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is a serious type of MIC commonly found in the
oil and gas industry sector and are responsible for most highly corrosion
damages to offshore steel structures. The SRB present in the crude oil uses the
sulfate as an electron acceptor generating corrosive hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as
one of their products. Other types of MIC are the aerobic iron and manganese
bacteria mainly responsible about the accelerated pitting attacks of stainless
steel. Most MIC takes the form of pits that form below the colonies of living
organic matter and mineral and the deposits of biological origin. The most
affected devices by MIC are stainless and carbon steel tanks, pipelines, heat
exchangers, fuel storage tanks. On the other hand, many beneficial bacteria,
(such as Bacillus lichiniformis) have the ability to protect metal surfaces
from corrosion via different mechanisms including biofilms and formation of
sticky protective layer of γ-poly-glutamate or antibiotics on metal surfaces.
The aim of the present work is to present a spotlight on the history and the
role of microorganisms in corrosion induction and prevention. This chapter
includes corrosion inhibition mechanisms employing beneficial microorganisms
with special reference to microbial biofilms to avoid the dramatic economic
loss due to corrosion. On the contrary, different types of harmful
microorganisms included in corrosion are also discussed including iron and
sulfur reducing bacteria.
Author(s) Details
Rawia Mansour
Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), 1 Elzhoor Region, P.O.Box 11727, Cairo, Egypt.
Ali Mohamed Elshafei
Department of Microbial Chemistry, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St. (Former El Tahrir st.), Dokki, Giza, P.O.Box 12622, Egypt.
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