Jones Liam, Salta Maria, Skovhus Torben Lund, Thomas Kathryn, Illson Timothy, Wharton Julian, Webb Jeremy
School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Endures, MIC and Biofilm Department, Den Helder, the Netherlands.
Environ Microbiol. 2025 Aug;27(8):e70116. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.70116.
Sulphate reducing prokaryotes are widely acknowledged as key contributors to microbiologically influenced corrosion in industry. Characterisation of their behaviour within mixed-species biofilms that reflect ecologically relevant conditions is limited. A novel dual anaerobic biofilm reactor protocol allowed a complex microbial consortium to be investigated. Continual biofilm growth resulted in significantly greater corrosive pit density, with 15 and 47 pits mm in the biotic reactor for as received (AR) and polished (P) coupons respectively. There was an average pit density of 3 pits mm in the abiotic reactor for both AR and P coupons. Moreover, a greater pit depth and size were observed when compared to the sterile abiotic conditions. Identifying and understanding the relative contributions of different microbial mechanisms within mixed-species biofilms is critical. Importantly, electroactive and corrosive Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and Desulfovibrio vulgaris were identified within the biofilm. These microorganisms play a crucial role in extracellular electron transfer, a key process in microbiologically influenced corrosion. The protocol not only deepens the mechanistic understanding of MIC but also offers a versatile tool for testing mitigation strategies under realistic and customizable conditions. This integrated approach can ultimately support the development of more targeted, sustainable corrosion prevention and management practices.
硫酸盐还原原核生物被广泛认为是工业中微生物影响腐蚀的关键因素。对它们在反映生态相关条件的混合物种生物膜中的行为特征的了解有限。一种新型的双厌氧生物膜反应器方案使得能够研究复杂的微生物群落。持续的生物膜生长导致腐蚀性蚀坑密度显著增加，在生物反应器中，对于原样（AR）和抛光（P）试样，分别有15个和47个蚀坑/毫米。在非生物反应器中，AR和P试样的平均蚀坑密度均为3个蚀坑/毫米。此外，与无菌非生物条件相比，观察到蚀坑深度和尺寸更大。识别和理解混合物种生物膜内不同微生物机制的相对贡献至关重要。重要的是，在生物膜中鉴定出了具有电活性和腐蚀性的脱硫脱硫弧菌和普通脱硫弧菌。这些微生物在细胞外电子转移中起着关键作用，而细胞外电子转移是微生物影响腐蚀的关键过程。该方案不仅加深了对微生物影响腐蚀的机理理解，还提供了一种在现实且可定制条件下测试缓解策略的通用工具。这种综合方法最终可以支持开发更具针对性、可持续的腐蚀预防和管理实践。
