The risk of rapid pitting corrosion due to bacterial contamination has been studied by monitoring the natural coupling current flowing between two concentric electrodes. For sulfate reducing bacteria in general (SRB) and thiosulfate reducing bacteria in particular (TRB), the presence of thiosulfate and its utilization by the bacterial metabolism are shown to represent a major risk factor, leading to penetration rates greater than a centimeter per year.

Subject
Pits, Cathodes, Anode potential, Electrochemical cells, Corrosion rate, Cathodic potential, Sulfates, Couplings, Preconditioning, Thiosulfate, Electrodes, Concentration cells, Anodes
Keywords:
microbially induced corrosion, pitting corrosion, sulfate reducing bacteria, thiosulfate
© 1996 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).
1996
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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