BACTERIAL CORROSION OF UNDERGROUND METALS

AN OCCURENCE OF UNUSUAL UNDERGROUND-METAL CORROSION WAS FOUND, IN WHICH THE SEVERELY CORRODED AREAS OF A STEEL GROUND ROD EXHIBITED A SHINY BLACK COATING CHARACTERISTICS OF FERROUS SULPHIDE. USUALLY, CORROSION OF STEEL IS TYPIFIED BY THE FAMILIAR REDDISH-BROWN COATING OF COMMON RUST. A LABORATORY STUDY REVEALED THAT THE CORROSION SOURCE WAS ANAEROBIC SULPHATE-REDUCING BACTERIA KNOWN AS SPOROVIBRIO DESULPHURICANS. THE LIFE PROCESSES OF SUCH BACTERIA ARE DISCUSSED IN SOME DETAIL, AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH METAL, PARTICULARLY WITH IRON OR STEEL, IN SOILS HAVING CONDITIONS SUITABLE FOR THEIR METABOLISM, IS EXPLAINED. VARIOUS ASPECTS BACTERIAL CORROSION ARE CONSIDERED IN RELATION TO ONTARIO HYDROS INTERESTS IN THE SUBJECT. ALSO, BRIEF MENTION IS MADE OF THE INFLUENCE ON UNDERGROUND CORROSION, OF OTHER BACTERIA TYPES OF LESS CONCERN.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Vol. 18, No 3, PP. 21-26, 2 FIG, 5 REF
• Publication Date: 1966

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Ontario Hydro Research Quarterly
  • Publisher: Ontario Hydro, Research Division

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Bacteria; Corrosion; Iron; Laboratory tests; Metals; Steel; Underground structures
• Old TRIS Terms: Underground corrosion
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00216105
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 28 1994 12:00AM