Sulfate reducing bacterial (SRB) influenced corrosion of carbon steel has been studied to determine the role of corrosion product/biofilm interactions on the electrochemical behavior of the metal. The influence of sulfides, chloride and ferrous ions on the electrochemistry processes has been assessed by using various electrochemical techniques.
Corrosion products were analyzed by energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EDAX), X ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron probe microanalysis (EPM). Microscopic observations of the metal surface were made by using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results show that carbon steel dissolution is due to simultaneous changes caused by synergistic or inhibitory interactions between anions, cations, corrosion products and biofilms. SRB alter local chemical conditions and the corrosion products layers. Moreover, there are differences in the composition and structure of biogenic sulfide films, when compared with those formed in abiotic media. The electrochemical behavior of the steel can be changed from active to passive as a result of corrosion product/biofilm interactions. These changes can also help in the understanding of different hydrogen
effects observed in steel in biotic and abiotic media.
Key words: SRB, carbon steel, biofilm, abiotic sulfides, biotic sulfides, hydrogen effects.