Microbiologically induced corrosion monitoring using open-circuit potential (OCP) measurements

Abstract

This study investigates how sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) influence the process of microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) of carbon steel by measuring corrosion potential using open-circuit potential (OCP) measurements. MIC is mainly influenced by D. Vulgaris, formerly known as D. Desulfuricans, deposited as Spirillum Desulfuricans, which produces D(-)-lactate dehydrogenase. The manufactured strain ATCC 7757 and pure colony of SRB isolated from the Baram and Sg Ular areas in Malaysia were used in this experiment. An evaluation of SRB growth was performed during the test in the inoculated medium anaerobically at 37°C with pH 7.5. The results showed that the corrosion potential Eoc in manufactured ATCC was the highest as compared to the SRB isolated from site. These results indicated that ATCC could be the reference to predict the metal corrosion due to high corrosive product of H2S generated during metabolic activity.