La biocorrosion. Processus caractéristiques et moyens d’études

IFREMER, Centre de Brest

Abstract

In contrast to the situation of a few years ago, the phenomenon of microbiologically induced corrosion is now generally accepted as being one of a number of mechanisms whereby corrosion occurs. A considerable amount of multi-disciplinary effort has been expended to determine the extent of the problem and to understand the phenomenon. Microbial corrosion refers to the degradation of metallic or non metallic structures resulting from the presence and the activity of a variety of organisms on the surfaces. Although, in many cases, microbial corrosion is closely associated with biofouling phenomena, the area in which it causes most damages concern the deterioration of metallic structures in soils and sediments with the well-known sulphate-reducing bacteria.