Biocorrosion of Carbon Steel under Controlled Laboratory Conditions

In the Iberian Pyritic Belt (SW Europe), Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is consequence of interaction physical-chemical and biological factors, where aerobic Fe and/or S oxidizing chemolithotrophic anaerobic sulfate reducing bacteria play an essential role. As a result, polluted waters are highly acidic (pH 2–3) contain numerous dissolved or suspended metals, which gives them powerful corrosive action on constructions related to mining activities with high economic losses. To verify role in corrosion carbon steel, common material buildings exposed waters, several experiments have been carried out under controlled conditions using steel bars water containing consortia from AMD river Belt. all out, remarkable oxidation supplemented iron was observed presence bacteria. Using as sole source, we slight bars, but when culture media elemental sulfur, severely damaged. Since inoculum come surface water, well oxygenated, nutrient-poor river, obtained results discussed based facultative metabolism acidophilic