48651
Accession Number
37350
Title Of Article Chaper
Biofilms and Corrosion Interactions on Stainless Steel in Seawater
Title Of Journal Book
International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
Volume
34
Issue
44259
Pages
245-257
Collation
13 p. : ills.
Reference Bibliography
Includes bibliographic references
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
Biofouling and biocorrosion lead to an important modification of the metal/solution interface inducing changes in the type and concentration of ions, pH values, oxygen levels, flow velocity, etc. Metal dissolution in seawater is mainly conditioned by two different processes: (a) biofouling settlement and (b) corrosion products formation. Corrosion-resistant alloys such as stainless steel present an ideal substratum for microbial colonization, rather similar to inert non-metallic surfaces, due to the lack of corrosion products. Stainless steels are sensitive to pitting and other types of localized corrosion in chloride-containing media such as seawater. Biofilms and bacterial metabolism may accelerate the initiation of crevice attack by depletion of oxygen in the crevice solution due to microbial respiration. Bacterial colonization occurs within a period of 24-72 h on stainless steel samples exposed to natural seawater and, depending on environmental conditions, a copious and patchy biofilm is generally formed. Different interpretations of biofilms' effects on corrosion ave critically discussed. A practical case, involving polluted harbour seawater, is reported to illustrate biofilm and corrosion interactions on stainless steel samples.
Keywords
biofilm;corrosion;stainless;steel;seawater;water
pub_id
48651