A peculiar cathodic process during iron and steel corrosion in sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) media

Features related to the cathodic reduction of iron sulfides precipitation on iron surface during its exposure to SRB culture were studied. Electrochemical measurements were performed with pure iron and platinum electrodes plated with a thin iron film in de-aerated SRB culture. The study reveals that iron sulfide precipitation is being cathodically reduced just below a potential of −0.1 VSCE, and if iron corrosion process occurs at potentials below that threshold potential, then the reduction of iron sulfide may provide an alternative cathodic depolarization mechanism in SRB. This cathodic process can maintain iron and corrosion at potentials above RHE potential.