To simulate microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of carbon steel in the subterranean environment, artificial soil consisting of silica sand, microbes, and medium was used. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and activated sludge from a municipal wastewater plant were used as model microbes. Incubation was carried out under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Corroded mean depth (CMD) under aerobic conditions with activated sludge inoculation reached 34.1 um and was 28 times as much as that under anaerobic conditions after incubation for 56 d. Sole existence of SRB didn't accelerate carbon steel corrosion, while addition of activated sludge accelerated the corrosion. The influence of water content in artificial soil on carbon steel MIC was analyzed. Model soils of silica sand with 100, 60 and 20% water content in the voids of the soils were prepared. The model soils were inoculated with activated sludge. The existence of air space and the uneven distribution of medium on the carbon steel coupons accelerated corrosion. The heterogeneity that resulted from bacteria had the same effects as the uneven distribution of the medium.
Keywords" microbiologically influenced corrosion, sulfate-reducing bacteria, soil, water content