Archaebacterial Involvement in Microbial Metal Corrosion

摘要

Our objectives have been to understand the role that methanogenic bacteria playin metal corrosion. We have demonstrated their ability to use Fe, Al, Zn, Co and Ni (to some degree) as electron donors in methanogenesis, which suggests their possible role in biocorrosion; we have further studied the environmental conditions affecting the rates of metal oxidation. We have also studied key methanogenic enzymes involving in electron consumption (format dehydrogenase, hydrogenase and methylene THMP Dehydrogenase). The effects of alkyl tins on methanogens was examined, due to the use of one such compound, tributyl tin, in anticorrosion paints as a biocide. We find that many organotins are more toxic to methanogens than tributyl tin and that the relationship of hydrophobicity of the organotin to toxicity is quite different than observed by others in studies of aerobic organisms. Keywords: Biocorrosion; Marine biotechnology.