The influence of surface microbial diversity and succession on microbiologically influenced corrosion of steel in a simulated marine environment.

To explore how a succession of bacteria grown on steel coupons in a marine environment can influence their corrosion process, we designed a microcosm in laboratory to evaluate corrosion kinetics and microbial diversity over 30 days. The results described a clear influence of corrosion by a succession of different bacterial groups. During the initial period, 2-7 days, a sharp increase in the rate of corrosion was detected accompanied by the presence of Alteromonadaceae, Vibrionaceae, Oceanospirillaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, Rhodospirillaceae and Flavobacteriaceae bacteria families.