Microbiologically influenced corrosion inhibition of carbon steel by a novel bacterium, Photobacterium sp., in simulated marine environment

Abstract

Utilizing microorganisms in corrosion inhibition presents a broad application prospect, but the complexity of their biological activities and living environments call for continued investigation and innovation. To uncover the corrosion behaviors and mechanisms effected by microorganisms, the effect of a novel strain named Photobacterium sp. 9–1 on the carbon steel corrosion process was investigated. Photobacterium sp. 9–1 was identified as a corrosion inhibition bacterium that could reduce the weight loss of carbon steel by approximately 97%. The biofilm formed on the metal surface, which was composed of bacteria, proteins, polysaccharides, etc., was a vital biological structure for the corrosion prevention. Further, we found that the corrosion inhibition effect induced by Photobacterium sp. 9–1 was dependent on the physiological activities of live bacteria. Thus, the discovery of efficient corrosion inhibition bacteria and further study of the relationship between the corrosion protection behavior of bacteria and metal materials could provide new insight into the design and application of economic and eco-friendly corrosion protection materials.