Abstract :

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is

corrosion that is caused by the presence and
activities of microorganisms — that is,
organisms that cannot be seen individually
with the unaided human eye, including micro
algae, bacteria, and fungi [4] .
Microbiologically influenced corrosion can
cause various forms of localized corrosion,
including pitting, de alloying, enhanced
erosion corrosion, enhanced galvanic
corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, and
hydrogen embrittlement.
As a result of MIC, corrosion can occur at
locations where it would not be predicted, and
it can occur at very high rates. All engineering
alloys, with the exception of titanium and high
chromium – nickel alloys, have been reported
to undergo MIC. Furthermore, MIC has been
documented to take place in seawater, fresh
water, distilled/de mineralized water,
hydrocarbon fuels, process chemicals, foods,
soils, human plasma, saliva, and sewage.
Although sulfate - reducing bacteria (SRBs),
active only in anaerobic (oxygen - free)
environments, are a very common cause of
corrosion and have been extensively studied,
MIC can also be caused by other types of
microorganisms — for example, Thiobacilli
[sulfur - oxidizing bacteria (SOB), which oxidize
sulfur compounds to sulfuric acid] and other
acid - producing microorganisms, including
both bacteria and fungi.
Microbes can adhere to metal surfaces forming
a bio film, consisting of a community of
microorganisms, leading to corrosion. When
the acidic products of bacterial action are
trapped at the bio film – metal interface, their
impact on corrosion is intensified.
Although iron does not corrode appreciably in
de aerated water, the corrosion rate in some
natural de aerated environments is found to be
abnormally high.
These high rates have been traced to the
presence of sulfate - reducing bacteria
(e.g., Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ). Their
relation to an observed accelerated corrosion
rate in soils low in dissolved oxygen was first
observed by von Wolzogen
The bacteria are curved, measuring about 1 x 4
µm, and are found in many waters and soils.
They thrive only under anaerobic conditions in
the pH range of about 5.5 – 8.5. Certain
varieties multiply in fresh waters and in soils
containing sulfates, others flourish in brackish
waters and seawater, and still others are
stated to exist in deep soils at temperatures as
high as 60 – 80 °C

Sulfate - reducing bacteria easily reduce

inorganic sulfates to sulfides in the presence of
hydrogen or organic matter, and they are
aided in this process by the presence of an iron
surface. The aid that iron provides in this
reduction is probably to supply hydrogen,
which is normally adsorbed on the metal
surface and which the bacteria use in reducing
SO4 For each equivalent of hydrogen atoms
they consume, one equivalent of Fe² enters
solution to form rust and FeS.
The bacteria, therefore, probably act
essentially as depolarizers.

A possible reaction sequence can be outlined

as follows:

Anode: 4Fe → 4Fe2 + 8e‾

(7.7)
Cathode: 8H2O + 8e‾ → 8Hads on Fe +8OH‾
(7.8)

8Hads Na2SO4 - bacteria→ 4H2O + Na2S

(7.9)

Na2S +2H2CO3 → 2NaHCO3 +H2S

(7.10)

Summary :
4Fe +2H2O +Na2SO4 +2H2CO3→ 3Fe(OH)2 +FeS +
2NaHCO3
(7.1
1)

Ferrous hydroxide and ferrous sulfide are

formed in the proportion of 3 moles to 1 mole.
Analysis of a rust in which sulfate - reducing
bacteria were active shows this approximate
ratio of oxide to sulfide. Qualitatively, the
action of sulfate - reducing bacteria as the
cause of corrosion in a water initially free of
sulfides can be detected by adding a few drops
of hydrochloric acid to the rust and noting the
smell of hydrogen sulfide.
In addition to the cathodic reaction listed in
(7.8) , other cathodic reactions could be
considered, such as the reduction of H2S:
2H2S +2e‾ → 2HS‾+H2
(7.12)

Severe damage by sulfate - reducing bacteria

has occurred particularly in oil – well casing,
buried pipelines, water - cooled rolling mills,
and pipe from deep water wells. Within 2
years, well water in the U.S. Midwest caused
failure of a galvanized water pipe 50 mm (2 in.)
in diameter by action of sulfate - reducing
bacteria, whereas municipal water using
similar wells, but which was chlorinated
beforehand, was much less corrosive.
A combination of low temperature and low
humidity is one approach to controlling the
growth of bacteria, but fungi may be capable
of growing under such conditions Regular
cleaning is a good practice to prevent bio film
formation and subsequent corrosion.
Chlorination is used to eliminate bacteria that
cause corrosion, but this treatment can
produce byproducts that are environmentally
unacceptable. Aeration of water reduces
activity of anaerobic bacteria since they are
unable to thrive in the presence of dissolved
O2 .
Addition of certain biocides can be beneficial,
but microorganisms are capable of becoming
resistant to specific chemicals after long - term
use. Eradication of microbial populations may
be achieved by combining several chemicals or
by increasing the concentration of a biocide