Cuprous ions influence on the biocorrosion of a carbon steel in the presence of sulphate reducing bacteria marine biofilm

Abstract

The influence of marine sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) biofilm on naval carbon steel corrosion in seawater was studied in the presence or not of cuprous ions as polluting agent. The optical density measurement showed that a concentration of 15 mg L−1 in cuprous ions can cause a significant slowdown in the proliferation of planktonic bacteria. However, electrochemical impedance results indicated that there was still bacterial activity on the metal substrate. Indeed, biofilm was grown on the surface of material in seawater containing SRB. Initially, an increase in the charge transfer resistance values due to the iron sulphide layer formed by the bacteria precipitation reactions was recorded during growth phase. This film acts as a barrier, preventing further oxidation of the underlying metal; then, the localized breakdown of iron sulphide layer generates an acceleration of corrosion. Similar behaviour occurs in the presence of sulphate reducing bacteria flora with 15 mg L−1 cuprous ions. In order to protect themselves when the seawater media containing toxic metals, sulphate reducing bacteria embed into clusters and increase the production of extracellular polymeric substances on materials. Sulphur was present on specimens in both cases and EDS spectra revealed the formation of iron sulphide. After the removal of biofilm, carbon steel surfaces exhibited a plenty of micropits scattered on the entire surface compared to the surface immersed in the seawater without bacteria