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. 1981 Mar;41(3):766–774. doi: 10.1128/aem.41.3.766-774.1981

Surface Changes in Mild Steel Coupons from the Action of Corrosion-Causing Bacteria

Christian O Obuekwe 1, Donald W S Westlake 1, Fred D Cook 2, J William Costerton 3
PMCID: PMC243773  PMID: 16345735

Abstract

Changes which occur on the surface of mild steel coupons submerged in cultures of an Fe(III)-reducing bacterium, isolated from corroded pipe systems carrying crude oil, were studied microscopically to investigate the interaction between the corrosion-causing bacterium and the corroding mild steel coupon. Under micro-aerobic conditions and in the absence of the bacteria, a dense, crystalline, amorphous coat formed on the surface of the steel coupons. In the presence of bacteria the surface coat was extensively removed, exposing the bare metal to the environment. After about 2 weeks of exposure, the removal of the surface coating was followed by colonization of the metal surface by the bacteria. Colonization was mediated by fibrous, exopolysaccharidic material formed by the bacteria. Extension of studies to other bacteria isolated from crude oil and corroded pipes reveals that the formation of exopolysaccharide fibers and possession of adherent properties are common characteristics of bacteria from crude oil systems.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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