Microbial corrosion of galvanized steel in a simulated recirculating cooling tower system

In this study, mixed species biofilm formation including sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) on the galvanized steel surfaces and also microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of galvanized steel were observed in a model recirculating cooling water system during 10 months. A biofilm which had a heterogeneous structure formed on galvanized steel coupons. The results suggested that galvanized steel was corroded by microorganisms as well as SRB in the biofilm. Extracellular carbohydrate was degraded and quantities of carbohydrate were positively correlated with the weight loss. The concentrations of zinc in the biofilm showed significant correlations with weight loss, carbohydrate amount and SRB count. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Corrosive Metabolic Activity of Desulfovibrio sp on 316L Stainless Steel

The present study investigated the effects of chemical parameters (SO4 (2-), PO4 (3-), Cl-, pH) and the contents of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) regarding the growth of Desulfovibrio sp. on the microbiologically induced corrosion of 316L stainless steel (SS). The experiments were carried out in laboratory-scaled test and control systems. 316L SS coupons were exposed to Desulfovibrio sp. culture over 720 h. The test coupons were removed at specific sampling times for enumeration of Desulfovibrio sp., determination of the corrosion rate by the weight loss measurement method and also for analysis of carbohydrate and protein in the EPS. The chemical parameters of the culture were also established. Biofilm/film formation and corrosion products on the 316L SS surfaces were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry analyses in the laboratory-scaled systems. It was found that Desulfovibrio sp. led to the corrosion of 316L SS. Both the amount of extracellular protein and chemical parameters (SO4 (2-) and PO4 (3-)) of the culture caused an increase in the corrosion of metal. There was a significantly positive relationship between the sessile and planktonic Desulfovibrio sp. counts (p < 0.01). It was detected that the growth phases of the sessile and planktonic Desulfovibrio sp. were different from each other and the growth phases of the sessile Desulfovibrio sp. vary depending on the subspecies of Desulfovibrio sp. and the type of metal when compared with the other published studies

Impact of biofilm in the maturation process on the corrosion behavior of galvanized steel: long-term evaluation by EIS

In this study, the effect of biofilm in the maturation process on the corrosion behavior of galvanized steel was investigated in a model of a recirculating water system over 6months. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization methods were used to determine the corrosion behavior of galvanized steel. The biofilm and corrosion products on the galvanized steel surfaces were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS). EIS results showed that the structure of the biofilm changed during the maturation process over time and the altering structure of the biofilm affects the corrosion behavior of galvanized steel. Also, EIS analyses validated that the biofilm has a dynamic and complex structure. The data obtained from SEM and macroscopic images indicated that EIS is an effective method for monitoring the biofilm-development process

Effects of short-time drying on biofilm-associated bacteria

Microorganisms tend to form biofilms consisting of cells embedded in a highly hydrated extracellular polymeric matrix. The biofilm protects its inhabitants from antimicrobial agents, pH alterations, and confers protection against drying. It is known that biofilm-associated bacteria can survive for a while in the absence of water. When rehydrated, metabolic processes are quickly restored and microorganisms resume life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the survival of heterotrophic bacteria, sulphate-reducing bacteria and amoeba against short-time drying. Biofilms were allowed to grow for 30 and 60 days on stainless steel (316, 2B) coupons in annular biofllm reactor, which was fed with drinking water network under constant, non-turbulent shear stress and temperature. The results presented in this study indicate a role for biofilm layer in protecting biofilm-associated microorganisms from drying. The current study has provided that short-time (24 h) absence of water could not affect biofilm-associated heterotrophic microorganisms significantly, in terms of cell viability

Microbial corrosion of galvanized steel by a freshwater strain of sulphate reducing bacteria (Desulfovibrio sp.)

Microbially influenced corrosion of galvanized steel was investigated exposing coupons (2.0 x 2.0 cm) to culture of sulphate reducing bacteria strain Desulfouibrio sp. The coupons were exposed to the SRB culture for 4, 8, 24, 72, 96, 168, 360 and 744 h along with a control set in uninoculated medium. The results from the present study suggest that SRB were responsible for the corrosion of the galvanized steel. The corrosion rate of galvanized steel was not be correlated with the number of sessile SRB cells. Also Desulfouibrio sp. had an ability to produce EPS (Extracellular Polimeric Substances) and biodegrade the carbohydrate, that is the predominant component of the EPS produced by them. When Desulfovibrio sp. cells were in logarithmic phase, the concentration of dissolved zinc in the bulk solution was very toxic for Desulfooibrio desulfuricans. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Occurrence of Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria in the Consumer End of a Water Distribution System

In this study, mixed species biofilm formation including sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) on polypropylene surface and bacteriology of network water were investigated in a model water distribution system during a nine-month period. Water and biofilm samples were analyzed for the enumeration of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (AHB), anaerobic heterotrophic bacteria (ANHB) and SRB. The number of live/dead bacteria was also analyzed by epifluorescence microscopy. In addition, extracellular polysaccharide substances (EPS) extraction, carbohydrate analysis and scanning electron microscope observation were performed. A biofilm with heterogeneous structure formed on the polypropylene surface of the model water distribution system. Live/dead staining data indicated that biofilm matured in the first month. It was observed that especially AHB entered into a viable but not culturable state because of the temperature decrease. It was also noted that temperature is an important environmental factor especially for planktonic SRB. The quantity of carbohydrate significantly decreased according to the temperature

Microbiologically influenced corrosion of galvanized steel by Desulfovibrio sp. and Desulfosporosinus sp. in the presence of Ag-Cu ions

The effects of Ag-Cu ions on the microbiologically induced corrosion of galvanized steel in the presence of Desulfovibrio sp. and Desulfosporosinus sp. were investigated. The corrosion behavior of galvanized steel was analyzed by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The biofilm, corrosion products and Ag-Cu ions on the surfaces were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and elemental mapping