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Molecular characterization and corrosion behavior of thermophilic (55 °C) SRB Desulfotomaculum kuznetsovii isolated from cooling tower in petroleum refinery
Author(s) -
Anandkumar B.,
Choi J.H.,
Venkatachari G.,
Maruthamuthu S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
materials and corrosion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.487
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1521-4176
pISSN - 0947-5117
DOI - 10.1002/maco.200805177
Subject(s) - thermophile , sulfate reducing bacteria , corrosion , sulfide , chemistry , metallurgy , sulfate , environmental chemistry , materials science , biochemistry , enzyme
Desulfotomaculum kuznetsovii ( D. kuznetsovii ), a thermophilic sulfate‐reducing bacterium (SRB), was identified in a cooling tower of a petroleum refinery by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and its functional gene encoding dissimilatory sulfite reductase ( dsr AB). The thermophilic sulfate‐reducing bacterial species have been reported for the first time in the cooling towers of an Indian petroleum refinery. The protein coded by dsr AB gene was cloned, expressed, and identified using recombinant DNA technology. Weight loss method, electrochemical and surface analysis showed the corrosion behavior of the isolate. In the presence of D. kuznetsovii , the corrosion rate was higher when compared to control at 55 °C. It suppresses the anodic reaction and enhances the cathodic reaction by the production of organic complex and iron sulfide, respectively. Numerous pitting were noticed on mild steel which is due to the presence of D. kuznetsovii and its role in the corrosion process has been discussed.