Laboratory experiments were designed to determine the influence of polarization (±175 mV vs. saturated calomel electrode) in natural fresh water and in dilute microbiological media (1:100 Luria-Bertani broth) on biofilm formation on 316L stainless steel. Biofilms formed on all polarized and unpolarized surfaces within 120 hours. Variability among the surfaces was detected with environmental scanning electron microscopy. Polarization influenced microbial settlement in both media. Biofilm formation on polarized surfaces may not represent natural biofilms formed in the absence of polarization.

Subject
Electric current, Water, Electrochemical cells, Probes, Micrography, Anode surfaces, Biofilms, Bacteria, Scale, Stainless steel, Polarization, Electrodes, Electrode potential
Government work published by the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) with permission of the author(s). Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2005
GOV
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