[Electrokinetic properties of sulfate-reducing bacteria]

Sulfate-reducing bacteria settle down at a high rate on metal surfaces and considerably accelerated corrosion, the concentration of bacteria on metals depending on the potential of the metal and that of bacteria. The electrophysical properties of bacteria depend on the pH of the medium. The maximal value of zeta potential is reached at the pH of 6.4; it decreases upon addition of acid or alkali to the medium and reaches zero at the pH of 2.5. The surface charge density and the electrophoretic mobility of sulfate-reducing bacteria also change depending on the pH of the medium. Carboxyls are the potential-forming ions at p H greater than 2.5. The pH determining the electrokinetic properties of bacteria characterizes the rate of their sedimentation on metals.