Advances in detection of microbiologically induced corrosion

Abstract

A number of recently developed techniques which may be used for rapid quantification of total microbial activity or of specific microorganisms involved in corrosion are reviewed. These include viable counts using dip slides, microscope methods (epifluorescence), analysis of cell components (ATP, ergosterol, phospholipids), immunological methods (fluorescent antibody staining, ELISA), activity measurements (respiration, esterases, sulphate reduction) and the use of gene probes. The methods are discussed with reference to their simplicity, sensitivity, economics and applications.