Influence of Static Low Electromagnetic Field on Copper Corrosion in the Presence of Multispecies Aerobic Bacteria

Abstract

The effects of low electromagnetic field (EMF) (B = 2 mT) on the corrosion of pure copper in the absence and presence of multispecies marine aerobic bacteria were investigated in this work. The results showed that EMF has an inhibitory effect on copper metals and decreases the corrosion rate of copper metals in sterile artificial seawater. However, microbiologically influenced corrosion of Cu was increased in the presence of electromagnetic field due to its effect on the biofilm morphology and structure. EMF reduced the growth rate of bacteria and decreased bacterial attachment, thereby forming a heterogeneous and non-stable biofilm on the Cu surface in the presence of EMF. Moreover, the biofilm was dispersed throughout the surface after 7 days, whereas the scattered bacteria were observed on the surface after 10 days. Confocal laser scanning microscopy images showed large and deep pits on the surface in the presence of EMF and confirmed the acceleration of Cu corrosion in the presence of EMF and multispecies bacteria. Furthermore, XPS and FTIR results demonstrated that the corrosion products and metabolic by-products were significantly changed in the presence of EMF.