Metabolic turnover and catalase activity of biofilms of Pseudomonas fluorescens (ATCC 17552) as related to copper corrosion

In this work we report the results of a combined biochemical and electrochemical study aimed to analyze both the growth of biofilms of Pseudomonas fluorescens on copper samples and its possible role in the instability of the metal/electrolyte interface. DNA and RNA were quantified along the time for biofilms grown on copper and glass to estimate both the growth of the bacterial population and its metabolic state (through the RNA/DNA ratio). The expression and specific activity of catalase were also determined to gain insight into their possible role in corrosion acceleration. The electrochemical behavior of the biofilm/copper interface was monitored by Linear Polarization Resistance (Rp) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) along the experiments. Results showed a longer lag phase for biofilms developing on copper that included a period of high metabolic activity (as measured by the RNA/DNA ratio) without biomass growth. Biological activity introduced a new time constant at intermediate frequencies in EIS spectra whose capacitive behavior increased with the biofilm development. The increment in this biofilm-related signal was accompanied by a strong limitation to charge transfer through a diffusion controlled process probably due to oxygen exhaustion by cells respiration, while the resistance of the interface decreased presumably due to oxide dissolution by local acidification under the colonies. In addition, catalase activity was found to be high in mature copper-tolerant biofilms, which differentially express a catalase isoform not present in biofilms growing on glass.

Stainless steels can be cathodically protected using energy stored at the marine sediment/seawater interface

Laboratory-scale experiments were performed in which the corrosion protection of stainless steels in seawater was afforded by cathodic protection. The method was implemented for the first time using the potential difference at the marine sediment/seawater interface as the only source of electric power. Graphite electrodes buried in marine sediment, developing a potential of -0.45 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE), were used as anodes to cathodically polarize UNS S30403 stainless steel coupons that were exposed to seawater. The cathodic protection system was operated with low polarization of stainless steel, typically to -0.2 V (vs SCE) and was found to properly prevent material failure even in the presence of a well-developed biofilm. With voltammetry, the protection current was found to be related to the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds in the sediments. Results demonstrate that this inexpensive and environmentally friendly method can, so far, extend the service life of stainless steels in seawater.