Prediction of Microbial Induced Bacteria Using Innovative Semisolid Growth Media for General Aerobic Bacteria at Specific PH

Abstract

Structural steel is widely used in marine environments because it is strong, readily available, easy to fabricate, and cost-effective. But steel is also subject to corrosion. Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) plays a critical role in the pipeline corrosion process, caused by electrochemical reactions created by microorganisms that form ‘biofilms’ on immersed steel structures. The close monitoring of microbial growth is an essential process to protect the structural steel from biofilm formation. A semisolid growth media for quantitative and qualitative analysis of general aerobic bacteria (GAB) was studied and counterchecked with commercially available ready-made media Paddle tester double-sided slides, to prove the suitability to use the Total Coliform agar media with a two-day incubation at 35°C, for quantitative determination of GAB colonies at a specific pH range from 5.5 to 7.5. Several trials were conducted, including water streams at upstream facilities, rich with GAB and Coliform sources, and all the obtained results from both media were matched.