Some Interesting facts about microbial corrosion (MIC) and Sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB)

SRB will grow in the pH range between 4.0 and 9.5. It has been reported that SRB can tolerate pressures of up to 500 atmospheres. Sulphide tolerance of SRB is reported as 3000 ppm; where the sulphide concentration in sediments and water floods rarely exceeds 500 ppm. SRB can be found everywhere, from more than 70 metres deep in clay to seawater. It is believed that the black colour of the Black Sea could be the result of the activity of these bacteria, SRB can also be found in the human body at sites such as the mouth and bowel. By 1997, seven cases of SRB-influenced diseases, two of which were in Australia, had been diagnosed and it seems that this number has increasing since then. SRB have been reported to be responsible for environmental impacts such as massive fish kills, killing of sewer workers, development of “poisonous dawn fogs” and wastage of rice crops in paddies.

Let us not forget that bacteria could be airborne and thus being transferred by air. There are documented cases where airborne acid producing bacteria could deteriorate concrete.

Sources:

Reza Javaherdashti, Microbiologically influenced corrosion-an engineering insight”, Springer-Verlag, UK, 2nd Edition 2017.

Reza Javaherdashti "A Pathological Mini-Atlas of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion and Deterioration (MIC / MID) Cases", Sicentific.net, BISAC: SCI041000, TEC009070, TEC021000,2022.