Adaptation Of Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy (ETEM) And Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry (EELS) For Studies Of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion

Abstract

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is of wide concern in marine and non-marine environments. Biofilms and corrosion products associated with microorganisms cause numerous problems in aqueous environments, such as increased fluid frictional resistance, reduced heat transfer, and many types of corrosion, all of which can lead to failure of materials. Corrosion of metals has been extensively examined using TEM, but examination of MIC with TEM has only just begun (Blunn, 1986; Chio, 1996). Previous studies examining microbial colonization of copper surfaces and distribution throughout corrosion products demonstrate copper immobilization by bacterial biofilms (Blunn, 1987). In the current study, Pseudomonasputida attachment to corroding iron particles was examined in a sealed environmental cell in a JEOL 3010 scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM).Iron filings were produced from carbon steel (C1010) using 600 grit sandpaper, collected with a teflon coated magnet, degreased in acetone and sterilized in ethanol. Filings were incubated in distilled water until corrosion was visible under a dissecting microscope.