Microbial community profiles grown on 1020 carbon steel surfaces in seawater-isolated microcosm

Abstract

Corrosion of metallic alloys is a concern worldwide, with impacts affecting different production sectors and consequent economic losses in the order of billions of dollars annually. Biocorrosion is a form of corrosion where the participation of microorganisms can induce, accelerate, or inhibit corrosive processes. In this study, it was evaluated that the changes in profile communities, by the sequencing of the 16S ribosomal gene, grown over steel coupons in a microcosm with no additional oxygen supplementation for 120 days. Analysis of abundance and diversity indices indicates marked changes in microbial structures throughout the 120-day period. Homology results of OTUs generated by Illumina sequencing indicated Proteobacteria phylum as the dominant group, comprising about 85.3% of the total OTUs, followed by Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes, both with 7.35%. Analyses at lower taxonomic levels suggested the presence of representatives described as corroders, such as Citreicella thiooxidans, Thalassospira sp., and Limnobacter thiooxidans. In conclusion, the results suggest that no additional oxygen supplementation profoundly altered the core of microbial communities, with a predominance of facultative anaerobic species.

Relative Influence of Plastic Debris Size and Shape, Chemical Composition and Phytoplankton-Bacteria Interactions in Driving Seawater Plastisphere Abundance, Diversity and Activity

“…Besides, previous study also showed that Ponticaulis sp. was one of the main colonizers for the metallic alloys ( Procópio, 2020 ). It suggested that the Oleibacter sp.…”

Metagenomic insights into the microbial communities of inert and oligotrophic outdoor pier surfaces of a coastal city

“…Members of the class Bacilli in the Firmicutes phylum were particularly enriched on the metal surfaces, thus possibly explaining the observed corrosion on these surfaces. Previous works have found that certain species of the genus Bacillus , such as the B. cereus found on some of the metal pier surfaces, can accelerate the pitting corrosion of steel surfaces in soils [ 52 , 53 ] and aquatic environments [ 24 ]. Although the corrosion-related bacteria remained at low relative abundances on the pier surfaces, they nevertheless can serve as an indicator that maintenance work is required to preserve the esthetic appearance of the metal surfaces.…”

“…Therefore, some microbial residents of surfaces are considered stress-tolerant and they may in turn participate in biochemical processes that influence various properties of the surfaces [ 23 ]. For example, on inert surfaces such as stone and steel, some microbes can induce or accelerate corrosion [ 24 ], while other microbes can prevent biodeterioration [ 25 ]. The taxonomic composition of microbes residing on corroded steel surfaces has been found to vary by surface type, surface material, and environmental conditions (e.g., salinity), but the composition of their metabolic functions is relatively conserved [ 26 ].…”

Metagenomic Insights Into the Microbial Communities of Inert and Oligotrophic Outdoor Pier Surfaces of a Coastal City

“…Members of the class Bacilli in the Firmicutes phylum were particularly enriched on the metal surfaces, thus possibly explaining the observed corrosion on these surfaces. Previous works have found that certain species of the genus Bacillus, such as the B. cereus found on some of the metal pier surfaces, can accelerate the pitting corrosion of steel surfaces in soils [49,50] and aquatic environments [21]. Although the corrosion-related bacteria remained at low relative abundances on the pier surfaces, they nevertheless can serve as an indicator that maintenance work is required to preserve the esthetic appearance of the metal surfaces.…”

“…Therefore, some microbial residents of surfaces are considered stress-tolerant and they may in turn participate in biochemical processes that influence various properties of the surfaces [20]. For example, on inert surfaces such as stone and steel, some microbes can induce or accelerate corrosion [21], while other microbes can prevent biodeterioration [22]. The taxonomic composition of microbes residing on corroded steel surfaces has been found to vary by surface type, surface material, and environmental conditions (e.g., salinity), but the composition of their metabolic functions is relatively conserved [23].…”