Advances on the microorganisms causing corrosion in the marine environment

Abstract:

The complexity and variability of marine environment make marine corrosion an increasingly serious global problem. Marine corrosion not only causes huge economic losses but also brings serious environmental pollution and personnel safety problems, becoming a key problem that must be solved for marine economic development. According to statistics, 20% of corrosion in the marine environment is caused by microorganisms, which exist on metal surfaces in the form of biofilm, mainly including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and algae. This paper reviewed the research progress in the four types of marine microorganisms, involving the species, community structure influencing factors, and functioning mechanisms. Furthermore, we elucidated the influencing factors and summarized the mechanisms of the microorganisms to promote or inhibit corrosion of metal materials and introduced the prevention and control methods of microbial corrosion in the marine environment. Finally, we discussed the trend of research and prevention on microbial corrosion in marine environment, aiming to provide reference for the study of corrosion mechanism and the implementation of corrosion prevention work.