Effects of biogenic H2S on the microbiologically influenced corrosion of C1018 carbon steel by sulfate reducing Desulfovibrio vulgaris biofilm

The role of biogenic H2S in the microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of carbon steel was investigated. Desulfovibrio vulgaris (ATCC 7757), a sulfate reducing bacterium, was tested against C1018 carbon steel in anaerobic vials with three different sizes, each filled with 40 mL of ATCC 1249 culture medium, providing headspace volumes of 10 mL, 85 mL and 160 mL, respectively for H2S to escape. Results showed that a larger headspace led to a lower H2S concentration in the culture medium, and this increased the sessile cell count and made the iron sulfide film thinner, resulting in increased MIC.