Biological corrosion, the interaction of organisms with corrosion processes, is a complex subject encompassing contributions from several disciplines ranging from chemistry and surface science to microbiology and bacteriology. Two main aspects of the subject – corrosion and fouling – are considered in this review. The interactions, which depend crucially on the presence of water, can take the form of purely mechanical effects – stresses produced by adherent organisms or mechanical damage to protective surface layers, physical barrier effects – promoting localised corrosion by separating anodic and cathodic reaction sites or producing crevice type conditions, or biochemical reactions – in which components of the environment are metabolised to produce potentially corrosive substances such as organic acids or hydrogen sulphide. The principal components and mechanisms of fouling are described, followed by consideration of the effects of fouling on the local environment and conditions at the biofilm/metal interface. The organisms most commonly found to be involved in corrosion interactions are reviewed and examples of problems with biological corrosion encountered in the offshore oil industry and in aluminium alloy aircraft fuel tanks are given.
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