Stable Isotope Signatures within Microbial Induced Concrete Corrosion: A Field Study

In this study we analyzed a heavily damaged sewage system, exposed to microbial induced concrete corrosion (MICC).Understanding the causes, theunderlying reaction mechanisms and environmental controls of MICC is crucial in order to provide sustainable restoration strategies.Various decisiveparameters for detecting alteration features were determined in the field and laboratory including (i) temperature, pH, alkalinity, chemical composition of the solutions, (ii) chemical and mineralogical composition of solids, and (iii) concentration of gaseous H2S, CH4 and CO2 within the sewer pipe atmosphere. Focus was laid on stable sulfur, oxygen and hydrogen isotope data,which were used to decipher individual microbiological reaction mechanisms.