Characterizing the effect of carbon steel exposure in sulfide containing solutions to microbially induced corrosion

This article compares the electrochemical effects induced by inorganic sulfide and sulfate reducing bacteria on the corrosion of carbon steel – a subject of concern for pipelines. Biological microcosms, containing varying concentrations of bioorganic content, were studied to investigate changes to the morphology of biofilms and corrosion product deposits. Raman analysis indicated mackinawite (FeS1−x) was the dominant iron sulfide phase grown both abiotically and biotically. A fascinating feature of biological media, void of an organic electron donor, was the formation of putative nanowires that may be grown to acquire energy from carbon steel by promoting the measured cathodic reaction.

Research highlights
► Compares inorganic sulfide and sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) on steel corrosion.
► Mackinawite was the dominant iron sulfide phase.
► SRBs can form nanowires, presumably grown to acquire energy.