The relationship between the localized microbial activity and localized electrochemical on corroding steel surfaces was investigated. The scanning vibrating electrode technique provided a sensitive means for defining local anodic and cathodic currents associated with corrosion. Localized bacterial metabolic activity was determined using autoradiography of bacterial incorporated 14C-acetate into insoluble cell material. Microautoradiography of individual bacteria, with the incorporated acetate, was used to determine percentages and morphological types of active bacteria. The results showed a correlation between the location of anodic activity of the steel and the location of incorporated label. Although the results do not necessarily indicate a role for bacterial activity in the initiation of pitting, the results suggest that the actively metabolizing bacteria may exacerbate the propagation of pits by colonizing active anodic sites.

Subject
Steel surfaces, Materials, Microbial activity, Sulfates, Acetates, Biofilms, Bacteria, Glutaraldehyde, Steel, Carbon steel, Stainless steel, Electrodes, Samples
Keywords:
Scanning vibrating electrode technique, localized corrosion, microbial activity, microbiologically influenced corrosion
© 1991 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. 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).
1991
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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