The effect of a biofilm-forming bacterium Tenacibaculum mesophilum D-6 on the passive film of stainless steel in the marine environment

The microbiologically influenced corrosion of 304 stainless steel in the presence of a marine biofilm-forming bacterium Tenacibaculum mesophilum D-6 was systematically investigated by means of electrochemical techniques and surface analyses to reveal the effect of the selective attachment and adsorption of the biofilms on the passivity breakdown of the stainless steel. It was found that the T. mesophilum D-6 was electroactive and could oxidize low valent cations and metal, facilitating the local dissolution of the passive film and the substrate in the film defects, nearly doubling the surface roughness. The biofilms of T. mesophilum D-6 with mucopolysaccharide secreta and chloride ions tended to preferentially adsorb at the defects of the passive film on the steel, yielding non-homogeneous microbial aggregates and local Cl− enrichment there. The adsorption of the bacteria and chloride ions reduced the thickness of passive film by 23.9%, and generate more active sites for pitting corrosion on the passive film and more semiconducting carrier acceptors in the film. The maximum current density of the 304 SS in the presence of T. mesophilum D-6 was over one order of magnitude higher than that in the sterile medium, and the largest pit was deepened 3 times. [Display omitted] •The marine biofilm-forming bacterium Tenacibaculum mesophilum D-6 is very corrosive.•The marine biofilm-forming bacterium can oxidize metal or low valent cations.•The localized dissolution of the passive film on 304 stainless steel is accelerated at the film defects by the bacterium.