Electrochemical analysis of the microbiologically influenced corrosion of AISI 304 stainless steel by sulphate reducing bacteria associated with Bacillus Cereus

Abstract

The associative effect towards the corrosion of AISI 304 stainless steel caused by the main two bacterial species present in marine environments around the Canary Islands (Spain) has been investigated using electrochemical techniques. The test environments were sterile conditions, with SRB (sulphate-reducing bacteria) Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (strain DSM 642) isolated from its natural marine environment, with Bacillus Cereus var. mycoides (CECT 193), and with a mixture of both. EIS data demonstrate the development of a synergic effect of both bacteria, where Bacillus cereus mycoides favours the development of SRB and, consequently there is a greater tendency to the progress of corrosion.