Anaerobic microbiologically influenced corrosion mechanisms interpreted using bioenergetics and bioelectrochemistry: A review

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a major cause of corrosion damages, facility failures, and financial losses, making MIC an important research topic. Due to complex microbiological activities and a lack of deep understanding of the interactions between biofilms and metal surfaces, MIC occurrences and mechanisms are difficult to predict and interpret. Many theories and mechanisms have been proposed to explain MIC. In this review, the mechanisms of MIC are discussed using bioenergetics, microbial respiration types, and biofilm extracellular electron transfer (EET). Two main MIC types, namely EET-MIC and metabolite MIC (M-MIC), are discussed. This brief review provides a state of the art insight into MIC mechanisms and it helps the diagnosis and prediction of occurrences of MIC under anaerobic conditions in the oil and gas industry.