Microbiologically induced corrosion of X80 pipeline steel in a near-neutral pH soil solution

Abstract

MIC of X80 pipeline steel in a near-neutral pH soil solution in the presence and absence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was monitored by electrochemical techniques and microbiological tests. The results show that soil solution is more close to the complex soil environment around pipeline. The activity of SRB leads to the shift of the phase response to low frequency, the decrease of electrolyte resistance and the alteration of dielectric constant of the film. Both the activity and metabolite of SRB influence the corrosion behavior of the steel. The steel surface undergoes localized attack in the SRB-inoculated soil solution, whereas only slight uniform corrosion occurs in the sterile soil solution.