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High metal ion concentrations and low pH cause severely inhibit the activity of an acidophilic microbial consortium (AMC) in bioleaching. This work investigated the effects of exogenous spermine on biofilm formation and the bioleaching efficiency of LiCoO2 by AMC in 9K medium. After the addition of 1 mM spermine, the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase increased, while the amount of H2O2, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde in AMC decreased. These results indicated that the ability of AMC biofilm to resist oxidative stress introduced by 3.5 g/L Li+ and 30.1 g/L Co2+ was improved by spermine. The activity of glutamate decarboxylase was promoted to restore the intracellular pH buffering ability of AMC. Electrochemical measurements showed that the oxidation rate of pyrite was increased by exogenous spermine. As a result, high bioleaching efficiencies of 97.1% for Li+ and 96.1% for Co2+ from a 5.0% (w v−1) lithium cobalt oxide powder slurry were achieved. This work demonstrated that Tafel polarization can be used to monitor the AMC biofilm’s ability of uptaking electrons from pyrite during bioleaching. The corrosion current density increased with 1 mM spermine, indicating enhanced electron uptake by the biofilm from pyrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NiMo (nickel-molybdenum) and NiMo with embedded CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs; 100 nm) were tested as antimicrobial coatings (~15 μm thickness) on titanium (Ti) surfaces using an electrochemical process for heat exchanger applications onboard marine vessels. Preliminary static biofouling and biocorrosion (also known as microbiologically influenced corrosion) assessments were carried out in glass bottles using pure-culture Desulfovibrio vulgaris , a sulfate-reducing bacterium (SRB), in deoxygenated ATCC 1249 medium at 37°C, and using an alga (Chlorella vulgaris) mixed with general heterotrophic bacteria (GHB) in enriched artificial seawater at 28°C. It was found that the coating containing NiMo/CeO2 NPs were much more effective than NiMo in preventing SRB biofilm formation with an efficacy of 99% reduction in D. vulgaris sessile cells after 21 day incubation. The coating also exhibited a 50% lower corrosion current density compared to the uncoated Ti against SRB corrosion. Both NiMo and NiMo/CeO2 NP coatings achieved 99% reduction in sessile algal cells. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) biofilm images indicated a large reduction of sessile GHB cells. The CLSM images also confirmed the biocidal kill effects of the two coatings. Unlike polymer coatings, the "metallic" coatings are heat conductive. Thus, the corrosion resistant antifouling coatings are suitable for heat exchanger applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion mechanism of carbon steel under deposit in the presence of sulfate reducing bacterium (SRB) Desulfotomaculum nigrificans was studied using surface analysis, weight loss and electrochemical measurements. Results showed that both the general corrosion and localized corrosion were considerably promoted by SRB under deposit. The corrosion rate of steel in the presence of SRB was approximately 6 times of that for the control according to the weight loss measurements. The maximum corrosion pit depth in the presence of SRB was approximately 7.7 times of that of the control. Both the anodic and cathodic reactions were significantly accelerated by SRB. A galvanic effect in the presence of SRB due to the heterogeneous biofilm led to serious localized corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioleaching has been successfully used in commercial metal mining for decades. It uses microbes to biosolubilize metal-containing inorganic compounds such as metal oxides and sulfides. There is a growing interest in using bioleaching for bioremediation of solid wastes by removing heavy metals from ash and sewage sludge. This review presents the state of the art in bioleaching research for recovery of metals and bioremediation of solid wastes. Various process parameters such as reaction time, pH, temperature, mass transfer rate, nutrient requirement, pulp density and particle size are discussed. Selections of more effective microbes are assessed. Pretreatment methods that enhance bioleaching are also discussed. Critical issues in bioreactor scale-up are analyzed. The potential impact of advances in biofilm and microbiome is explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) resistance of a novel Cu-bearing 2205 duplex stainless steel (2205 Cu-DSS) against an aerobic marinePseudomonas aeruginosabiofilm was investigated. The electrochemical test results showed thatRpincreased andicorrdecreased sharply after long-term immersion in the inoculation medium, suggesting that 2205 Cu-DSS possessed excellent MIC resistance to theP. aeruginosabiofilm. Fluorescence microscope images showed that 2205 Cu-DSS possessed a strong antibacterial ability, and its antibacterial efficiency after one and seven days was 7.75% and 96.92%, respectively. The pit morphology comparison after 14 days between 2205 DSS and 2205 Cu-DSS demonstrated that the latter showed a considerably reduced maximum MIC pit depth compared with the former (1.44 μmvs9.50 μm). The experimental results suggest that inhibition of the biofilm was caused by the copper ions released from the 2205 Cu-DSS, leading to its effective mitigation of MIC byP. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The study of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) has long been plagued by a lack of clear understanding of MIC mechanisms. In this work, bioenergetics was used to explain why and when sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) became aggressive toward carbon steel. Fe2+/Fe0 and acetate + (lactate) have similar reduction potentials at pH 7 (−447 mV vs. −430 mV). Bioenergetically, Fe0 oxidation releases more energy than lactate oxidation, but Fe0 cannot provide organic carbons needed for growth. If there is insufficient carbon source that can diffuse from the bulk fluid to an iron surface, sessile cells at the bottom of an SRB biofilm on the surface may suffer from local carbon source starvation. In this work, mature Desulfovibrio vulgaris (ATCC 7757) biofilms initially grown in ATCC 1249 culture medium on C1018 carbon steel coupons were subjected to starvation by switching to fresh culture media with 0% (control), 90%, 99% and 100% less organic carbon, respectively. It was found that 90% and 99% carbon reductions increased weight loss significantly. Experimental data also showed that 90% carbon reduction caused a 10 μm maximum pit depth, largest among all other cases, while 99% carbon reduction yielded the highest specific weight loss of 0.0019 g/cm2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bioenergy is a renewable energy that plays an indispensable role in meeting today's ever increasing energy needs. Unlike biofuels, microbial fuel cells ( MFCs) convert energy harvested from redox reactions directly into bioelectricity. MFCs can utilize low-grade organic carbons (fuels) in waste streams. The oxidation of the fuel molecules requires biofilm catalysis. In recent years, MFCs have also been used in the electrolysis mode to produce bioproducts in laboratory tests. MFCs research has intensified in the past decade and the maximum MFCs power density output has been increased greatly and many types of waste streams have been tested. However, new breakthroughs are needed for MFCs to be practical in wastewater treatment and power generation beyond powering small sensor devices. To reduce capital and operational costs, simple and robust membrane-less MFCs reactors are desired, but these reactors require highly efficient biofilms. Newly discovered conductive cell aggregates, improved electron transport through hyperpilation via mutation or genetic recombination and other advances in biofilm engineering present opportunities. This review is an update on the recent advances on MFCs designs and operations. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a serious problem threatening structural integrity and safety. Metal corrosion pits can develop into more harmful cracks under mechanical stress. It is known in abiotic corrosion that fast corrosion does not necessarily cause more severe SCC. This is because fast corrosion can prevent or dissolve crack tips and convert them into less harmful pits if the uniform corrosion rate is fast enough. This work experimentally proved the hypothesis that the same phenomenon occurs in biotic corrosion. It was found that a highly corrosive SRB (sulfate reducing bacterium) strain, namely Desulfovibrio ferrophilus (strain IS5), caused fast uniform corrosion and dull pits, but no SCC cracks against X80 carbon steel U-bend coupons (stressed). In comparison, Desulfovibrio vulgaris , a far less corrosive SRB strain caused less corrosion, but generated sharp pits and SCC cracks in a 3-month lab test. This work also revealed that the X80 U-bend had a 44% higher sessile cell count and 34% higher weight loss after a 14-d D. ferrophilus incubation in deoxygenated enriched artificial seawater culture medium at 28 °C when compared with the (flat) square coupons (no stress). This weight loss trend was corroborated by transient electrochemical measurements. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desulfovibrio ferrophilus (IS5) corrosion of X65 carbon steel was impacted by gravity. Six o'clock position (6P) had the highest sessile count due to gravity assisting planktonic cell settling in early biofilm formation, leading to most severe static corrosion followed by 9P and 12P. The 7-d weight loss at 6P was 49.6 ± 4.4 mg/cm2 (3.3 mm/a in uniform corrosion rate) followed by 9P with 35.7 ± 2.6 mg/cm2 (2.4 mm/a) and 12P with 20.5 ± 5.5 mg/cm2 (1.4 mm/a). The trend was supported by electrochemical measurements. The weight loss differences reduced considerably when there was agitation, supporting the gravity hypothesis. • Early SRB biofilm growth is impacted by gravity, favoring 6 o'clock position (6P). • The biofilm sessile cell count sequence is 6P > 9P (side way) >12P (face down). • Weight loss and pit depth sequences after 7-day SRB incubation are 6P > 9P > 12P. • 6P has a uniform corrosion rate of 3.3 mm/a vs. 1.4 mm/a for 12P for 7-d incubation. • Agitation lowered weight loss differences, supporting gravity impact hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Headspace to liquid volumetric ratio can impact bacterial activity, which affects the metabolic process and extracellular electron transportation (EET) of microbial biofilms. In this work, the ratio of headspace volume to culture medium volume was varied to investigate the behavior of Cu microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) by P. aeruginosa as a nitrate reducing bacterium (NRB). This NRB produced ammonia as a toxic metabolite that inhibited its growth in anaerobic bottles. The results showed that a larger headspace volume led to lower ammonium concentration in the liquid phase (due to escape of ammonia to the headspace), higher planktonic and sessile cell counts, deeper pits and higher uniform corrosion rate. With a fixed culture medium volume of 200 mL, the weight loss of Cu coupons corresponding to 500 mL and 200 mL headspace volumes were approximately 1.9-fold and 1.5-fold larger than that for 50 mL headspace volume, respectively, with corresponding pit depth increased by 2.6 times and 1.7 times, respectively. Ammonia acted as a complexing agent, not an oxidant (electron acceptor) in the system. The terminal electron acceptor was nitrate. The reduction of nitrate in the cytoplasm of P. aeruginosa using extracellular electrons released by Cu oxidation is thermodynamically favorable. Thus, Cu corrosion by the nitrate reducing P. aeruginosa biofilm belongs to EET-MIC. • Nitrate reduction coupled with Cu oxidation is thermodynamically favorable. • NH 4 + in P. aeruginosa broth inhibits sessile cell growth and thus impacts MIC. • Increased headspace leads to higher sessile cell count and more severe Cu MIC. • Localized corrosion and general corrosion are observed in 14-day tests. • Data support the mechanism for Cu MIC with electron uptake by the nitrate reducer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rough surface finish on a coupon facilitates early biofilm development. • Highly-corrosive D. ferrophilus IS5 provides large weight losses. • 36 grit has higher sessile cell count and higher weight loss than 600 grit at 7 d. • These differences wane over time as suggested by 30 d data. • Electrochemical data support weight loss data with additional transient information. Carbon steel microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) is known to occur via extracellular electron transfer (EET). A higher biofilm sessile cell count leads to more electrons being harvested for sulfate reduction by SRB in energy production. Metal surface roughness can impact the severity of MIC by SRB because of varied biofilm attachment. C1018 carbon steel coupons (1.2 cm2 top working surface) polished to 36 grit (4.06 μm roughness which is relatively rough) and 600 grit (0.13 μm) were incubated in enriched artificial seawater inoculated with highly corrosive Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5 at 28 ℃ for 7 d and 30 d. It was found that after 7 d of SRB incubation, 36 grit coupons had a 11% higher sessile cell count at (2.0 ± 0.17) × 108 cells/cm2, 52% higher weight loss at 22.4 ± 5.9 mg/cm2 (1.48 ± 0.39 mm/a uniform corrosion rate), and 18% higher maximum pit depth at 53 μm compared with 600 grit coupons. However, after 30 d, the differences diminished. Electrochemical tests with transient information supported the weight loss data trends. This work suggests that a rougher surface facilitates initial biofilm establishment but provides no long-term advantage for increased biofilm growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitigation of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of 304L stainless steel (SS) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a Salvia officinalis extract was investigated using electrochemical and surface analysis techniques. The extract was characterized by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS and its antibiofilm property was evaluated. The data revealed the presence of well-known antimicrobial and anticorrosion compounds in the extract. The S. officinalis extract was found effective in preventing biofilm formation and inhibiting mature biofilm. Electrochemical results indicated that P. aeruginosa accelerated the MIC of 304L SS, while the extract was found to prevent the MIC with an inhibition efficiency of 97.5 ± 1.5%. This was attributed to the formation of a protective film by the adsorption of some compounds from the extract on the 304L SS surface. Unlabelled Image • Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm accelerates the corrosion of 304L stainless steel. • Salvia officinalis extract effectively prevents the P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. • S. officinalis extract successfully removes the mature P. aeruginosa biofilm. • S. officinalis compounds adsorb on the 304L SS and form a protective layer. • Experimental data confirm the MIC mitigation by the extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A biocide enhancer is a chemical that can enhance the efficacy of a biocide or reduce its dosage. In this work, a novel peptide was tested as a biocide enhancer. A chemically synthesized 14-mer peptide (Peptide A), which was found non-biocidal, has an amino acid sequence derived from sea anemone Actinia equina that possesses a biofilm-free exterior. Peptide A at 180 ppb (w/w) or 100 nM enhanced 100 ppm tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium sulfate (THPS) against an oilfield biofilm consortium grown on C1018 carbon steel in an enriched artificial seawater medium. The combination of 100 nM Peptide A + 100 ppm THPS led to additional 2-log reduction, 1-log reduction, 1-log reduction in sessile sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) cell count, sessile acid producing bacteria (APB) cell count, and sessile general heterotrophic bacteria (GHB) cell count, in comparison with the treatment using 100 ppm THPS alone in a 14-day laboratory biofilm prevention test. The data in this work suggest that non-biocidal Peptide A is a promising biocide enhancer that should be further explored. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Cyclic Peptide A is engineered based on a 12-mer sequence in Equinatoxin II protein. • Peptide A reduces tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate (THPS) dosage. • Peptide A at ppb levels enhances the biocide against an oilfield biofilm consortium. • The biocide cocktail reduces carbon steel weight loss and maximum pit depth. • Linear polarization resistance results corroborate weight loss and pitting data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In nature, microbes tend to form synergistic biofilms on a wide range of materials using extracellular polymeric substances to embed sessile cells. Problematic biofilms provide environments conducive to the occurrence of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in many industries. MIC includes corrosion caused by microbes as well as corrosion by another pre-existing corrosion agent that is accelerated by microbes. There are several distinct types of MIC mechanisms associated with different microbial species and metabolism types. Biofilms employ different defense mechanisms to protect themselves from environmental hazards. This makes sessile cells in biofilms much more resistant to treatment than planktonic cells. Biofilms are often treated with biocides together with physical scrubbing. Various approaches have been developed to boost biocide efficacy. New emerging technologies such as bacterial phages, quorum sensing inhibitors, and special chemicals to enhance biocides have been proposed in recent years. This review evaluates these different treatment methods and various techniques used to assess biocide treatment outcome including microbiology, molecular biology, corrosion testing and electrochemical methods. Highlights • Biofilms cause microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and biofouling. • Some microorganisms cause MIC via extracellular electron transfer to get energy. • Some microorganisms secrete corrosive metabolites that lead to MIC. • Biocide enhancers and other new technologies help mitigate biofilms. • Electrochemical methods can be used to study MIC and to assess biocide efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, microbial corrosion behavior of Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) alloy caused by electroactive Desulfovibrio ferrophilu s biofilm in enriched artificial seawater containing soluble electron shuttle was investigated. The addition of riboflavin-shuttle did not significantly change the planktonic and sessile cell counts but accelerated the microbiologically influenced corrosion of TC4 alloy. The Hilbert-Huang transform revealed the evolution of corrosion pits and the maximum pit depth enhanced with the increase of electron shuttle concentration. Electrochemical measurements proved that riboflavin-shuttle decreased the shuttled electron barrier and increased the anodic dissolution rate. Phase, organization and grain size of alloy were influenced by the MIC. • Ti-6Al-4 V (TC4) is not immune to Desulfovibrio ferrophilus. • Electron shuttle advances the transition of TC4 corrosion pits from metastable to stable state. • Rapid response of D. ferrophilus biofilms to riboflavin shuttle injection. • SRB-MIC decreases the α phase of the alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In industrial and clinical settings, microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), also known as biocorrosion, is a major problem associated with materials degradation and infection. To mitigate biofilms, a Cu-bearing 2205 duplex stainless steel (2205-Cu DSS) was created by researchers to utilize the antimicrobial ability of copper. In this study, nitrate reducing Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was grown as a nitrate reducing bacterium to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy and the MIC inhibition efficacy of 2205-Cu DSS under anaerobic condition. The results showed that both biofilm sessile cell count and electrochemically-measured corrosion rate were reduced compared with the 2205 duplex stainless steel (2205 DSS) control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the past 5 years, tremendous advances have been made to maximize the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for both “clean” bioenergy production and bioremediation. Most research efforts have focused on parameters including (i) optimizing reactor configuration, (ii) electrode construction, (iii) addition of redox-active, electron donating mediators, (iv) biofilm acclimation and feed nutrient adjustment, as well as (v) other parameters that contribute to enhanced MFC performance. To date, tremendous advances have been made, but further improvements are needed for MFCs to be economically practical. In this review, the diversity of electrogenic microorganisms and microbial community changes in mixed cultures are discussed. More importantly, different approaches including chemical/genetic modifications and gene regulation of exoelectrogens, synthetic biology approaches and bacterial community cooperation are reviewed. Advances in recent years in metagenomics and microbiomes have allowed researchers to improve bacterial electrogenicity of robust biofilms in MFCs using novel, unconventional approaches. Taken together, this review provides some important and timely information to researchers who are examining additional means to enhance power production of MFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in the marine environment is a serious threat to the service life of marine materials. MIC pitting corrosion rate is usually much faster than the general corrosion process. The 2304 duplex stainless steel (DSS) is an excellent alternative to 316L SS in marine applications, while its MIC behavior is barely known. In this work, surface analysis and electrochemical techniques were used to study the corrosion behavior of 2304 DSS caused by the ubiquitous marine aerobe Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Compared with the abiotic control, the largest pit depth showed that the P. aeruginosa biofilm greatly accelerated the pitting corrosion (11.0 μm vs. 4.8 μm for the abiotic control). The presence of P. aeruginosa biofilm oxidized the passive film of 2304 DSS from Cr 2 O 3 to CrO 3 , which was a water-soluble compound, resulting in the decrease of the relative Cr content and destruction of the passive film. The linear polarization resistance (LPR), electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization curve analyses all demonstrated that 2304 DSS was susceptible to MIC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron transfer is a rate-limiting step in microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) caused by microbes that utilize extracellular electrons. Cross-cell wall electron transfer is necessary to transport the electrons released from extracellular iron oxidation into the cytoplasm of cells. Electron transfer mediators were found to accelerate the MIC caused by sulfate reducing bacteria. However, there is no publication in the literature showing the effect of electron transfer mediators on MIC caused by nitrate reducing bacteria (NRB). This work demonstrated that the corrosion of anaerobic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) grown as a nitrate reducing bacterium biofilm on C1018 carbon steel was enhanced by two electron transfer mediators, riboflavin and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) separately during a 7-day incubation period. The addition of either 10 ppm (w/w) (26.6 μM) riboflavin or 10 ppm (12.7 μM) FAD did not increase planktonic cell counts, but they increased the maximum pit depth on carbon steel coupons considerably from 17.5 μm to 24.4 μm and 25.0 μm, respectively. Riboflavin and FAD also increased the specific weight loss of carbon steel from 2.06 mg/cm 2 to 2.34 mg/cm 2 and 2.61 mg/cm 2 , respectively. Linear polarization resistance, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization curves all corroborated the pitting and weight loss data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is prevalent in the oil and gas industry. Problematic biofilms cause MIC and reservoir souring. A high biocide concentration is usually required to mitigate biofilms compared with planktonic cells. This causes economic and environmental concerns. A biocide enhancer can make a biocide more effective using the same or lower biocide dosage. In this work, an equimolar mixture of 100 ppm (w/w) of four D-amino acids (D-methionine, D-tyrosine, D-tryptophan, and D-leucine) labeled as D-mix enhanced 100 ppm tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate (THPS) against a field biofilm consortium on C1018 carbon steel coupons. In order to test chemical compatibilities, D-amino acids were added together with THPS and enhanced oil recovery chemicals (a polymer, a surfactant, a corrosion inhibitor, and a scale inhibitor) to treat the mature biofilm consortium. After a 7-day biofilm removal test in 125 ml anaerobic vials, the cocktail of 100 ppm THPS +100 ppm D-mix achieved extra logs of reduction in sessile cell counts compared with the 100 ppm THPS alone treatment. The combination also achieved lower weight loss and smaller maximum pit depths. Electrochemical tests corroborated the weight loss and pitting data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

d -tyrosine and d -methionine that are naturally occurring chemicals were investigated as enhancers for alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC) against the Desulfovibrio vulgaris biofilm on C1018 coupons surfaces in ATCC 1249 culture medium. The 7-day biofilm prevention results showed that the d -amino acids alone had only limited effects on SRB sessile cell counts. Ten ppm (w/w) ADBAC alone achieved a 1-log reduction in SRB sessile cell count compared with the untreated control. The combination of 1 ppm d -tyrosine + 10 ppm ADBAC achieved 3 extra log reduction and 50 ppm d -methionine + 10 ppm ADBAC achieved 2 extra log reduction compared with the 10 ppm ADBAC alone treatment. In the biofilm removal test, both combinations exhibited 2 extra log reduction compared with the 10 ppm ADBAC alone treatment. These results were supported by scanning electron microscope images and confocal laser scanning microscope images of the biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ti is not completely immune to SRB (sulfate reducing bacteria) corrosion. • Carbon source starvation and riboflavin both accelerate Ti MIC by D. vulgaris. • Various electrochemical tests confirm increased Ti MIC under SRB starvation. • SRB MIC of Ti mechanism is extracellular electron transfer-MIC (EET-MIC) • Ti MIC pit depth of up to 6.2 µm is observed after 14 d SRB incubation. Desulfovibrio vulgaris biofilm was pre-grown on Ti coupons for 7 d and then the biofilm covered coupons were incubated again with fresh culture media with 10 % (reduced) and 100 % (normal) carbon source levels, respectively. After the pre-growth, sessile D. vulgaris cell count reached 107 cells/cm2. The sessile cell counts were 2 × 107 and 4.2 × 107 cells/cm2 for 10 % and 100 % carbon sources, respectively after the subsequent 7 d starvation test. The maximum pit depth after the 7 d pre-growth was 4.7 µm. After the additional 7 d of the starvation test, the maximum pit depth increased to 5.1 µm for 100 % carbon source vs 6.2 µm for 10 % carbon source. Corrosion current density (i corr) from potentiodynamic polarization data at the end of the 7 d starvation test for 10 % carbon source was more than 3 times of that for 100 % carbon source, despite a reduced sessile cell count with 10 % carbon source. The polarization resistance (R p) started to decrease within minutes after 20 ppm (w/w) riboflavin (electron mediator) injection. The carbon starvation data and riboflavin corrosion acceleration data both suggested that D. vulgaris utilized elemental Ti as an electron source to replace carbon source as the electron donor during carbon source starvation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the antibacterial performance, corrosion resistance and surface properties of antibacterial austenitic 317L-Cu stainless steel (317L-Cu SS). After 4.5 wt% copper was added to 317L stainless steel (317L SS), the new alloy underwent solid solution and aging heat treatment. Fluorescent staining using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) revealed that the 317L-Cu SS showed strong antibacterial efficacy, achieving a 99% inhibition rate of sessile Staphylococcus aureus cells after 5 days. The corrosion data obtained by potentiodynamic polarization curves indicated that in comparison with 317L SS, the pitting potential and corrosion current density of 317L-Cu slightly decreased due to the addition of Cu. The 317L-Cu SS exhibited no cytotoxicity against zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos. The experimental results in this study demonstrated that the new alloy has potential applications in medical and daily uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine microbiologically influenced corrosion (MMIC), initiated or promoted by biofilms of marine microorganisms, is becoming a leading cause of marine materials destruction, resulting in economic losses of billions of dollars each year. Copper ions released from the surface of an alloy can efficiently inhibit the attachment and the growth of some biofilm bacteria. The current study showed that the a novel copper-bearing 2205 duplex stainless steel (2205-Cu DSS) was effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in artificial seawater, achieving reductions of colony-forming units of 33.1%, 56.0% and 70.3% after incubation for 1, 3, and 5 days, respectively. More importantly, 2205-Cu DSS significantly decreased the thickness of the biofilm and induced cell death as compared to the 2205 DSS control. These results collectively suggest that 2205-Cu DSS may effectively mitigate the corrosive P. aeruginosa biofilm in applications as a potential anti-MMIC material in the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) caused by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), iron oxidation happens outside sessile cells while the utilization of the electrons released by the oxidation process for sulfate reduction occurs in the SRB cytoplasm. Thus, cross-cell wall electron transfer is needed. It can only be achieved by electrogenic biofilms. This work hypothesized that the electron transfer is a bottleneck in MIC by SRB. To prove this, MIC tests were carried out using 304 stainless steel coupons covered with the Desulfovibrio vulgaris (ATCC 7757) biofilm in the ATCC 1249 medium. It was found that both riboflavin and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), two common electron mediators that enhance electron transfer, accelerated pitting corrosion and weight loss on the coupons when 10 ppm (w/w) of either of them was added to the culture medium in 7-day anaerobic lab tests. This finding has important implications in MIC forensics and biofilm synergy in MIC that causes billions of dollars of damages to the US industry each year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Data confirm extracellular electron transfer MIC (EET-MIC) mechanism. • Riboflavin enhances Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5 EET-MIC considerably. • Very high carbon steel pitting corrosion rate for a pure-strain SRB is shown. • H 2 evolution data rule out acid and H 2 S corrosion as significant contributors. • D. ferrophilus biofilm starts to respond to riboflavin injection within minutes. EET (extracellular electron transfer) is behind MIC (microbiologically influenced corrosion) of carbon steel by SRB (sulfate reducing bacteria). This work evaluated 20 ppm (w/w) riboflavin (an electron mediator) acceleration of C1018 carbon steel MIC by Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5 in enriched artificial seawater (EASW) after 7-d incubation in anaerobic vials at 28 °C. Twenty ppm riboflavin did not significantly change cell growth or alter the corrosion product varieties, but it led to 52% increase in weight loss and 105% increase in pit depth, compared to the control without 20 ppm riboflavin. With 20 ppm riboflavin supplement in EASW, D. ferrophilus yielded weight loss-based corrosion rate of 1.57 mm/y (61.8 mpy), and pit depth growth rate of 2.88 mm/y (113 mpy), highest reported for short-term pure-strain SRB MIC of carbon steel. Electrochemical tests in 450 mL glass cells indicated that the biofilm responded rather quickly to the riboflavin injection (20 ppm in broth) to the culture medium. Polarization resistance (R p) began to decrease within minutes after injection. Within 2 h, the riboflavin injection led to 31% decrease in R p and 35% decrease in R ct + R f from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The Tafel corrosion current density increased 63% 2 h after the injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of zinc and galvanized steel caused by a sulfate reducing bacterium (SRB) was investigated. After 7 days of incubation of Desulfovibrio vulgaris in 125 mL anaerobic vials (100 mL culture medium) at 37 °C, the sessile cell coverage on the galvanized steel was slightly higher than that on pure zinc: (1.9 ± 0.2) × 109 cells/cm2 vs. (9.0 ± 1.8) × 108 cells/cm2. The weight losses for galvanized steel and pure zinc were 31.5 ± 2.5 mg/cm2 and 35.4 ± 4.5 mg/cm2, respectively, which were 101 higher than that for carbon steel. The corrosion current densities of galvanized and pure zinc were 25.5 μA/cm2 and 100 μA/cm2, respectively after the 7-day incubation, confirming that galvanized steel was less prone to SRB MIC despite having a slightly higher sessile cell count. In both cases, the corrosion product was mainly ZnS. Three MIC mechanisms were possible for the severe corrosion against the two metals. Extracellular electron transfer MIC (EET-MIC) was thermodynamically favorable for zinc. Furthermore, in the presence of Zn coupons, H 2 evolution in the headspace was 5.5 times higher than without Zn coupons, which suggested that proton attack and/or H 2 S attack also occurred in the corrosion process. • Desulfovibrio vulgaris forms dense biofilms on zinc and galvanized steel. • Three MIC mechanisms are possible for the severe MIC of the two metals. • Zinc and galvanized steel weight losses are 10X larger than that of C1018 carbon steel. • Electrochemical test results are consistent with weight loss and pitting data trends. • H 2 evolution is used to detect corrosion by proton and H 2 S attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]