The relationship between biomineralization and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is intuitive microrganisms influence corrosion by both forming and dissolving minerals. Biomineralization that results in mineral deposition on a metal surface can shift the corrosion potential in either a positive or negative direction, depending on the nature of the mineral. Manganese oxide biodeposition on stainless steel surfaces forces a shift in the positive, more noble direction, making some stainless steels more vulnerable to pitting and crevice corrosion. Bioprecipitated sulfides result in accelerated corrosion of some metals and alloys. Iron oxide formation can initiate a sequence of events that results in under deposit corrosion of susceptible metals. Biomineral dissolution reactions remove passive layers or force mineral replacement reactions that lead to further dissolution. The role of biomineralization in MIC will be reviewed in the following sections.
Keywords:biomineralization, microbiologically influenced corrosion, oxides, sulfides