This paper initially reviews the mechanism of MIC with an emphasison electrochemical aspects. The related charge-transfer (electrochemical) mechanisms of bacterial growth and corrosion are compared on the potential-pH (Pourbaix) diagram. Bacteriail consortia isolate micro and macro areas on metal surfaces to
create favorable oxidizing/reducing and chemical conditions, maximize biomass growth, and foster localized corrosion. Electrochemical corrosion rate measurements have been conducted over several months on carbon steel exposed to aerobic iron-oxidizing, anaerobic sulfate reducing, and exopolymer producing bacteria, all cultured from the proposed high level nuclear waste storage site Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Taken alone, each of these bacteria increased the electrochemically measured abiotic corrosion rates by a factor of 2 to 3. However, a mixture of all three increased corrosion rates by up to a factor of 5.
Keywords: Corrosion, MIC, redox potential, microbiology, Pourbaix diagrams, iron-oxidizing bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, exopolymers, polarization resistance