Application of Electrochemical Techniques to the Study of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion

Abstract

As indicated by the data presented in this chapter, modem electrochemical techniques are useful for MIC investigations. However, the nature of MIC makes it extremely difficult to use electrochemical techniques for detection, quantification, mechanistic studies, or monitoring. MIC is often the result of viable microorganisms within a viscoelastic, nonconducting biofilm. Techniques that do not require application of an external signal (E corr, dual-cell measurements, and ENA) permit electrochemical measurements without disruption of the causative processes. Most corrosion reactions in MIC are of a very localized nature. This makes use of electrochemical techniques, which in general produce an average signal over the entire surface, difficult. As with all studies of localized corrosion phenomena, more detailed and reliable information can be obtained when a number of different electrochemical techniques are combined. MIC does not produce a unique form of corrosion, so any analytical technique must be accompanied by differentiation between biological and abiological processes. Resolution requires the use of microbiological, surface analytical, and surface imaging techniques.