Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) by Halophilic (Salt-Loving) Nitrate and Sulfate-Reducing Microorganisms

The survey of Canadian shale sites showed a dominance of halophilic microorganisms, including Halomonas (HA). Nitrate-amended incubations of the field samples under high salinity (14.6% NaCl), revealed a dominance of HA (\u003e72%) and an accumulation of nitrite. Nitrite accumulation directly inhibited the growth of SRB, thereby decreasing their souring and corrosion risks. However, accumulated nitrite may also contribute to iron corrosion, which will be tested by using different concentrations of nitrate as an electron acceptor to HA. Different salinities are further tested on HA strains supplemented with iron coupons to determine their effects on iron corrosion rates. HA incubated with separate cultures of corrosive methanogen and SRB were tested to determine whether a positive or adverse effect will occur between them. Lastly, analyses of iron coupons will be conducted using TOF-SIMS, FIB-SEM and EDS for corrosion product characterization