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Corrosion

Corrosion

The degradation of metals due to natural electrochemical processes is known as corrosion. Rust formation on iron, tarnishing of silver, and the blue-green patina that develops on copper are examples of corrosion. Corrosion involves the oxidation of metals. Sometimes it is protective, such as the oxidation of copper or aluminum, wherein a protective layer of metal oxide or its derivatives forms on the surface, protecting the underlying metal from further oxidation. In other cases, corrosion is...

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Microbial Corrosion of Copper Under Conditions Simulating Deep Radioactive Waste Disposal.

Elena Abramova¹, Natalia Shapagina¹, Grigoriy Artemiev¹

¹Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia.

|January 8, 2025

Summary

Microbial corrosion of copper in a simulated radioactive waste repository is accelerated by sulfate-reducing bacteria, particularly Desulfomicrobiaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Desulfuromonadaceae, reaching 9.8 µm/y.

Keywords:

copper biocorrosion copper toxicity deep biosphere geological repository for radioactive waste sulfate-reducing bacteria

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Area of Science:

Geomicrobiology
Materials Science
Environmental Science

Background:

Microbial corrosion poses a risk to materials used in geological repositories for radioactive waste.
Understanding copper corrosion under repository conditions is crucial for long-term safety assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the microbial corrosion of M0-grade copper under simulated radioactive waste repository conditions.
To identify key microbial players and environmental factors influencing copper corrosion rates.

Main Methods:

Microbial corrosion tests were conducted on M0-grade copper.
A microbial community from a 450m depth was used, stimulated with glucose, hydrogen, and sulfate under anaerobic conditions.

Main Results:

The maximum corrosion rate reached 9.8 µm/y with the addition of 1 g/L sulfate.
Sulfate-reducing microorganisms from the families Desulfomicrobiaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Desulfuromonadaceae were identified as key contributors.
Hydrogen sulfide accumulation from sulfate-reducing genera (Desulfomicrobium, Desulfovibrio, Desulfuromonas) was the primary driver of corrosion.
Copper concentrations above 250 mg/L exhibited significant toxicity to the microbial community.

Conclusions:

Sulfate-reducing microorganisms significantly enhance copper corrosion in simulated radioactive waste repositories.
Hydrogen sulfide production is the main mechanism of microbial-induced copper corrosion.
Copper toxicity to microbial communities needs consideration in repository design and safety assessments.