Molecular characterizations of microbial communities fouling painted and unpainted concrete structures

Paint-degrading microorganisms

“…[26]. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Botrytis, Acrodictys, Mucor, Absidia, Atternaria, Cladosporium, Rhizopus, Cephalosporium, Fusarium, Helminthosporium, Trichocterma, Acremonium, Pullularia, Monilia, Epicoccum and Udeniomyces were likewise isolated genuses from the painted surfaces investigated in studies [27][28][29]. Likewise, species of fungi Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium sp.…”

Microbiological Corrosion of Concrete

“…An understanding of the physical performance of concrete materials is vital in order to assess their durability in service under natural conditions. Corrosion or deterioration of concrete has important economic consequences, especially when replacement or repair of infrastructures, such as bridges or municipal sewer systems, is involved [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. However, concrete corrosion is a complex phenomenon involving chemical, physicochemical, electrochemical, and biological processes.…”

“…Bacteria in the genus Thiobacillus were initially identified as the major culprits through biologically produced sulfuric acid. Other groups of microorganisms involved in the corrosion process have also been implicated, including nitric acid-producing bacteria [15][16][17], fungi [6,11], and exopolymer-producing bacteria [2,11,18]. Macroscopic fouling organisms also participate in degradation of concrete in submerged structures, but no detailed studies have been reported [19,20].…”

Microbial Degradation of Materials: General Processes

“…They also have a less recognized negative role to human society, damaging a wide range of natural and engineering materials, including metals [1][2][3][4], polymeric materials [4][5][6][7], and inorganic minerals and stone [8][9][10][11][12]. Under natural conditions, corrosion of metals is a result of both electrochemical and biological processes operating at the interface between metal surfaces and microorganisms, which can be initiated and accelerated by the presence and the active metabolism of microorganisms [1,3,[13][14][15][16].…”

“…During degradation, the molecular weight of the polymer decreases under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Corrosive metabolic products from microorganisms have also been found to contribute to the deterioration of a wide range of materials, particularly stone [10,44], concrete [9,12,45], and metals [1,[46][47][48][49][50]. Succession of physiologically different groups of microorganisms on surface of materials and their metabolites contribute significantly to the degradation and deterioration of this class of inorganic materials.…”