Filtration–UV irradiation as an option for mitigating the risk of microbiologically influenced corrosion of subsea construction alloys in seawater

Machuca, Laura L. and Jeffrey, Robert and Bailey, Stuart I. and Gubner, Rolf and Watkin, Elizabeth L.J. and Ginige, Maneesha P. and Kaksonen, Anna H. and Heidersbach, Krista. 2014. Filtration–UV irradiation as an option for mitigating the risk of microbiologically influenced corrosion of subsea construction alloys in seawater. Corrosion Science. 79: pp. 89-99.

Source Title

Corrosion Science

DOI

10.1016/j.corsci.2013.10.030

ISSN

0010-938X

Remarks

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in the Journal, Corrosion Science. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in the Journal, Corrosion Science, Volume 79, February 2014, Pages 89–99. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2013.10.030

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/47609

Collection

Curtin Research Publications

Abstract

The effect of filtration-UV irradiation of seawater on the biofilm activity on several offshore structural alloys was evaluated in a continuous flow system over 90 days. Biofilms ennobled the electrode potential by +400–500 mV within a few days of exposure to raw untreated seawater. Filtration-UV irradiation of the seawater delayed the ennoblement of the steels for up to 40 days and lowered localized corrosion rates in susceptible alloys. Ennobling biofilms were composed of microbial cells, diatoms and extracellular polymeric substances and the bacterial community in biofilms was affected by both the alloy composition and seawater treatment.