Lecture 27:MIC Role of Aerobic and Anaerobic Microorganisms

NPTEL Web Course

Lecture 27
MIC Role of Aerobic and Anaerobic Microorganisms
Keywords: Aerobic, Anaerobic, Sulfate-Reducing-Bacteria

Corrosion initiated and accelerated by microorganisms (metals and alloys)

MIC is also referred to as Biocorrosion
Microbial corrosion
Microbially-induced corrosion
Biofouling all types of biological attachment and growth on metal and nonmetal
surfaces in contact with natural waters (fresh or sea water).
Micro and macro-fouling refer to deposits through the growth of microbes and other
higher organisms.
Biodeterioration generally refers to deterioration of nonmetallic materials or
degradation brought about by microbes.

Microorganisms associated with MIC are generally characterized by a number of

features such as:
Small size (few micrometers)
Ubiquitous and omnipotent
Sessile or motile (active or sedentary)
Ability to attach to substrates and grow colonies.
Extremophiles (tolerant to wide range of metal concentrations, acidity,
temperature, pressure, oxygen and lack of oxygen)
Existence of consortia and mutualism
Rapid reproduction.
Generate organic and inorganic acids, alkalis, chelating agents and
extracellular polymeric substances such as proteins and polysaccharides.
Can oxidize or reduce metals and ions.
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Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore

Lecture 27:MIC Role of Aerobic and Anaerobic Microorganisms

NPTEL Web Course

Most of the microorganisms involved in MIC are chemolithotrophs and can be

aerobic anaerobic, mesophilic-thermophilic, autotrophs- heterotrophs, acidophilicneutrophilic and many are slime formers.
Chemotrophs get energy from chemical sources unlike photosynthetic organisms.

Microorganisms involved in MIC can be generally classified as

a) Sulfur-sulfide oxidizing bacteria.
b) Manganese oxidizers / reducers
c) Iron-oxidizing /reducing bacteria.
d) Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB).
e) Bacteria secreting exopolymers / slime and organic acids.

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are a group of diverse anaerobes which bring about
dissimilatory sulphate reduction to sulfides. Although they are considered as strict
anaerobes, some genera can tolerate oxygen, hydrogen serving as electron donor.
Oil, gas and shipping industries are seriously affected by SRB activities (soil and
water) due to H2S generation. Common SRB include Desulfovibrio, Desulfobacter
and Desulfotomaculum. SRB are capable of growing in soil, fresh water and seawater environments and also in stagnant areas.
They oxidize organic substances to organic acids or CO 2, by reduction of sulfate to
sulfide through anaerobic respiration.
Tolerate pH ranges 5-9.5.
Black deposits of precipitated sulfides and odour of H2S emanation are characteristic
of SRB growth
Environmental growth conditions and metabolic features of some corrosion
causing bacteria are illustrated in Table 27.1.
Growth conditions and corrosion aspects of some heterotrophs are illustrated in
Table 27.2.
Characteristics of some sulfate reducing bacteria relevant to MIC are given in Table
27.3.
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Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore

Lecture 27:MIC Role of Aerobic and Anaerobic Microorganisms

NPTEL Web Course

Table 27.1 Environmental and metabolic aspects of MIC causing bacteria

Bacteria

Desulfovibrio
D. desulfuricans

pH

Temp
(0C)

Oxygen

Corrosion

Characteristics

4-8

10-40

Anaerobic

Iron and
steel,
stainless
steels,
aluminum
zinc, copper
alloys

Utilize hydrogen in
reducing SO4-- to S-and H2S promote
formation of sulfide
films.

Desulfotomaculum
D .nignificans

6-8

10-40

Anaerobic

Iron and
steel
stainless
steels

Reduce SO4-- to S-and H2S (spore

formers).

Desulfomonas

..

10-40

Anaerobic

Iron and
steel

Reduce SO4-- to S-and H2S.

Acidithiobacillus
thiooxidans

0.5-8 25-40

Aerobic

Iron and
steel copper
alloys,
concrete

Oxidizes sulfur and

sulfides to form
H2SO4, damages
protective coatings.

Acidithiobacillus
ferrooxidans

1-7

Aerobic

Iron and
steel

Oxidizes ferrous to
ferric

25-40

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Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore

Lecture 27:MIC Role of Aerobic and Anaerobic Microorganisms

NPTEL Web Course

Table 27.2 MIC causing heterotrophs

pH

Temp 0C

Oxygen

Gallionella

7-10

20-40

Aerobic

Iron and
steel

Oxidizes ferrous
and manganoustubercle
formation

Sphaerotilus.

7-10

20-40

Aerobic

Iron and
steel

Oxidizes ferrous
and manganous tubercle
formation

S.natans

..

..

..

Pseudomonas.

4-9

20-40

Aerobic

Iron and
steel

P.aeruginosa

4-3

20-40

Aerobic

Aluminium
alloys

Cladosparium resinae
(fungi)

3-7

10-45

Aerobic

Aluminium
alloys

Organism

Affected
metals

Action

Aluminium
alloys

Some strains can

reduce Fe+++ to
Fe++

Produces organic
acids.

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Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore

Lecture 27:MIC Role of Aerobic and Anaerobic Microorganisms

NPTEL Web Course

Table27.3 Important characteristics of some sulfate reducing bacteria

Desulfovibrio

Single flagellum. Do not form spores. Hydrogenase present.

Dv. desulfuricans
Dv. vulgaris
Dv. Salexigens

Curved rods (vibrios); sometimes spirilloid, occasionally straight.

Typical size 3-5 m / 0.5-1 m single flagellum.

Dv. Gigas

Large curved rods or spirilla, 5-10 m / 1.2 1.5 m.

Desulfotomaculum

Peritrichous flagella

Dt .nigrificans

Hydrogenase activity variable. Growth on pyruvate in sulphatefree media.

Dt. Orientis

Fat curved rods, 5 m x 1.5 m. Hydrogenase absent.

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Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore