Here is a list of key sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfate-reducing archaea (SRA) that are associated with corrosion, particularly in environments such as pipelines, marine structures, and wastewater systems. These microorganisms contribute to corrosion through the production of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which reacts with metals to form metal sulfides, leading to material degradation.
Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) Associated with Corrosion
Desulfovibrio spp.
- Desulfovibrio desulfuricans: One of the most studied SRB, known for its involvement in biocorrosion through the production of hydrogen sulfide, especially in anaerobic environments such as oil pipelines and marine structures.
- Desulfovibrio vulgaris: Common in marine and subsurface environments; contributes to corrosion by producing H₂S, which can lead to iron sulfide formation on metal surfaces.
- Desulfovibrio alaskensis: Often found in oil reservoirs and known to form biofilms on steel surfaces, accelerating corrosion.
Desulfomicrobium spp.
- Desulfomicrobium norvegicum: Found in marine environments and known for its role in sulfate reduction under anaerobic conditions, contributing to biocorrosion in subsea structures.
- Desulfomicrobium baculatum: Capable of forming biofilms on metal surfaces, often in consortia with other SRB, leading to accelerated corrosion.
Desulfobacter spp.
- Desulfobacter postgatei: Marine SRB involved in corrosion by reducing sulfate to sulfide in anaerobic environments, especially in offshore oil facilities.
- Desulfobacter hydrogenophilus: Uses hydrogen as an electron donor for sulfate reduction, contributing to biocorrosion in anaerobic conditions.
Desulfotomaculum spp.
- Desulfotomaculum nigrificans: A spore-forming SRB capable of surviving in extreme conditions; it is associated with corrosion in oil fields, where it produces H₂S and thrives under high temperatures.
- Desulfotomaculum thermocisternum: Found in oil reservoirs and high-temperature environments, contributing to corrosion through sulfide production.
Desulfobulbus spp.
- Desulfobulbus propionicus: Known for its ability to use a wide range of electron donors, including propionate; often found in anaerobic sediment and contributes to corrosion through H₂S production.
- Desulfobulbus elongatus: Found in biofilms on metal surfaces, playing a role in corrosion through sulfate reduction and sulfide generation.
Desulfuromonas spp.
- Desulfuromonas acetoxidans: Though not exclusively SRB, it can reduce sulfur compounds and produce H₂S, contributing to corrosion under certain conditions, especially in oil industry environments.
Desulfococcus spp.
- Desulfococcus multivorans: Common in anaerobic environments, such as sediments and biofilms on submerged structures, where it contributes to MIC through H₂S production.
Thermodesulfobacterium spp.
- Thermodesulfobacterium commune: Thermophilic SRB found in high-temperature oil reservoirs and hot springs; contributes to corrosion in thermally stressed industrial systems.
Sulfate-Reducing Archaea (SRA) Associated with Corrosion
Archaeoglobus spp.
- Archaeoglobus fulgidus: A thermophilic, sulfate-reducing archaeon often found in oil reservoirs and hot, anaerobic environments; it produces H₂S, which contributes to corrosion at elevated temperatures.
- Archaeoglobus profundus: Known to thrive in high-temperature, high-pressure environments, such as deep-sea oil reservoirs, contributing to biocorrosion by producing sulfide in anaerobic conditions.
- Archaeoglobus veneficus: Found in high-temperature oil reservoirs and industrial settings where it contributes to corrosion through hydrogen sulfide production.
Thermococcus spp. (secondary sulfate reduction involvement)
- Thermococcus sibiricus: A hyperthermophilic archaeon that can perform sulfate reduction under extreme conditions, particularly in hydrothermal vent and oil reservoir environments, potentially contributing to corrosion.
Methanococcus spp. (indirect involvement)
- Methanococcus maripaludis: Not a strict SRB but can participate in sulfur cycling; often found in consortia with SRB in anaerobic environments, indirectly contributing to corrosion processes.
Environmental Contexts of SRB and SRA in Corrosion
Sulfate-reducing bacteria and archaea are commonly found in:
- Oil and Gas Pipelines: Where anaerobic conditions and sulfate-rich environments promote the growth of SRB and SRA, leading to MIC.
- Marine Structures: In low-oxygen, sulfate-rich seawater environments, SRB/SRA cause “sulfide corrosion” by producing hydrogen sulfide, which reacts with metals to form damaging sulfide layers.
- Industrial Water Systems: SRB can form biofilms in industrial cooling systems and wastewater facilities, leading to equipment degradation due to sulfide production.
- Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Sulfate-reducing microbes flourish in the anaerobic zones of wastewater systems, producing hydrogen sulfide that can corrode concrete and metal infrastructure.
In these environments, SRB and SRA often operate in biofilms or consortia with other microorganisms, enhancing their ability to establish corrosive niches on metal surfaces and producing aggressive metabolites like H₂S that drive corrosion processes.
New SRB related species can be found
This list represents a well-documented group of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and archaea (SRA) known to play significant roles in microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). However, it is not exhaustive, as new species and strains with corrosion-inducing capabilities continue to be discovered. The field of microbial corrosion is dynamic, and advances in molecular and microbiological techniques, such as metagenomics and high-throughput sequencing, are uncovering novel SRB and SRA species that were previously unrecognized.
In environments such as oil reservoirs, marine sediments, and wastewater systems, microbial communities are highly diverse and often contain yet-to-be-characterized microorganisms. These environments can select for unique SRB and SRA with specialized adaptations that contribute to corrosion under specific conditions (e.g., extreme temperature, pressure, or salinity). Thus, the list of SRB and SRA involved in corrosion is likely to grow as more studies explore these diverse habitats.
Furthermore, microbes evolve over time, potentially giving rise to new strains with enhanced or unique corrosion capabilities. Continuous monitoring and research are essential to fully understand the microbial diversity and the evolving role of these organisms in corrosion processes.
