Role of iron-reducing bacteria in corrosion and protection of carbon steel

The role of iron-reducing bacteria (IRB) in biocorrosion is under discussion. According to some reports, IRB are able to induce protection of carbon steel while others suggest an important enhancement of corrosion through the reduction and removal of passive films of ferric compounds on the metal surface. In this work, we review recent knowledge concerning microbial respiration, the ecology of IRB containing biofilms and the corrosive or protective effect of such biofilms on metal surfaces.