Prevention and protection of the effects of biocorrosion and biofouling minimizing the environmental impact

Abstract

Biocorrosion and biofouling processes are mediated by microorganisms adhered to the metal surfaces or embedded in a gelatinous matrix called biofilm. Biofilms affect the interaction between metals and the environment not only in deleterious processes like corrosion but also in several biological processes applied to materials recovery and handling. The growth of the microorganisms capable to induce biocorrosion is conditioned by favorable environmental conditions. However, the chemical agents generally used to prevent or protect metallic structures from biocorrosion are highly toxic and after use can have a negative impact on the environment. Four different approaches developed in our laboratory to prevent and control biocorrosion but minimizing the environmental impact, are successively presented in this paper: a) the use of ozone as an environmentally friend biocide for cooling water systems; b) the assay of the effectiveness of natural biocides on planktonic and sessile bacteria; c) the potential use of film forming corrosion inhibitors; d) the use of innovative preventing substances.