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Methanogens predominate in natural corrosion protective layers on metal sheet piles.

ABSTRACT: Microorganisms are able to cause, but also to inhibit or protect against corrosion. Corrosion inhibition by microbial processes may be due to the formation of mineral deposition layers on metal objects. Such deposition layers have been found in archaeological studies on ancient metal objects, buried in soil, which were hardly corroded. Recent field investigations showed that natural mineral deposition layers can be found on sheet piles in soil. We investigated the microbial communities of these deposition layers and the adjacent soil. Our data, from five different sampling sites, all show striking differences between microbial communities of the deposition layer versus the adjacent soil over the depth profile. Bacterial species dominated in top soil while archaeal sequences increased in abundance with depth. All mineral deposition layers from the steel surface were dominated by Euryarchaeota, of which almost all sequences were phylogenetically related with the Methanobacteria genus. The mineral layer consisted of carbonate precipitates. Based on 16S rDNA gene sequencing data we hypothesize that the methanogens directly extract electrons from the metal surface, thereby, initially inducing mild corrosion, but simultaneously, inducing carbonate precipitation. This, will cause encrustation of the archaea, which drastically slow down their activity and create a natural protective layer against further corrosion.

SUBMITTER: Kip N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5605657 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Methanogens predominate in natural corrosion protective layers on metal sheet piles.

Kip Nardy N Jansen Stefan S Leite Marcio F A MFA de Hollander Mattias M Afanasyev Michael M Kuramae Eiko E EE Veen Johannes A Van JAV

Scientific reports 20170919 1

Microorganisms are able to cause, but also to inhibit or protect against corrosion. Corrosion inhibition by microbial processes may be due to the formation of mineral deposition layers on metal objects. Such deposition layers have been found in archaeological studies on ancient metal objects, buried in soil, which were hardly corroded. Recent field investigations showed that natural mineral deposition layers can be found on sheet piles in soil. We investigated the microbial communities of these ...[more]

PMID: 28928457

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Project description:Iron sheet piles are widely used in flood protection, dike construction, and river bank reinforcement. Their corrosion leads to gradual deterioration and often makes replacement necessary. Natural deposit layers on these sheet piles can prevent degradation and significantly increase their life span. However, little is known about the mechanisms of natural protective layer formation. Here, we studied the microbially diverse populations of corrosion-protective deposit layers on iron sheet piles at the Gouderak pumping station in Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands. Deposit layers, surrounding sediment and top sediment samples were analyzed for soil physicochemical parameters, microbially diverse populations, and metabolic potential. Methanogens appeared to be enriched 18-fold in the deposit layers. After sequencing, metagenome assembly and binning, we obtained four nearly complete draft genomes of microorganisms (Methanobacteriales, two Coriobacteriales, and Syntrophobacterales) that were highly enriched in the deposit layers, strongly indicating a potential role in corrosion protection. Coriobacteriales and Syntrophobacterales could be part of a microbial food web degrading organic matter to supply methanogenic substrates. Methane-producing Methanobacteriales could metabolize iron, which may initially lead to mild corrosion but potentially stimulates the formation of a carbonate-rich protective deposit layer in the long term. In addition, Methanobacteriales and Coriobacteriales have the potential to interact with metal surfaces via direct interspecies or extracellular electron transfer. In conclusion, our study provides valuable insights into microbial populations involved in iron corrosion protection and potentially enables the development of novel strategies for in situ screening of iron sheet piles in order to reduce risks and develop more sustainable replacement practices.IMPORTANCE Iron sheet piles are widely used to reinforce dikes and river banks. Damage due to iron corrosion poses a significant safety risk and has significant economic impact. Different groups of microorganisms are known to either stimulate or inhibit the corrosion process. Recently, natural corrosion-protective deposit layers were found on sheet piles. Analyses of the microbial composition indicated a potential role for methane-producing archaea. However, the full metabolic potential of the microbial communities within these protective layers has not been determined. The significance of this work lies in the reconstruction of the microbial food web of natural corrosion-protective layers isolated from noncorroding metal sheet piles. With this work, we provide insights into the microbiological mechanisms that potentially promote corrosion protection in freshwater ecosystems. Our findings could support the development of screening protocols to assess the integrity of iron sheet piles to decide whether replacement is required.

Project description:The concept that anaerobic microorganisms can directly accept electrons from Fe(0) has been controversial because direct metal-microbe electron transfer has previously only been indirectly inferred. Fe(0) oxidation was studied with Geobacter sulfurreducens strain ACL, an autotrophic strain that was previously shown to grow with electrons derived from a graphite cathode as the sole electron donor. Strain ACL grew with Fe(0) as the sole electron donor and fumarate as the electron acceptor. However, it appeared that at least a portion of the electron transfer was via H2 produced nonenzymatically from the oxidation of Fe(0) to Fe(II). H2, which accumulated in abiotic controls, was consumed during the growth of strain ACL, the cells were predominately planktonic, and genes for the uptake hydrogenase were highly expressed. Strain ACLHF was constructed to prevent growth on H2 or formate by deleting the genes for the uptake of hydrogenase and formate dehydrogenases from strain ACL. Strain ACLHF also grew with Fe(0) as the sole electron donor, but H2 accumulated in the culture, and cells heavily colonized Fe(0) surfaces with no visible planktonic growth. Transcriptomics suggested that the outer surface c-type cytochromes OmcS and OmcZ were important during growth of strain ACLHF on Fe(0). Strain ACLHF did not grow on Fe(0) if the gene for either of these cytochromes was deleted. The specific attachment of strain ACLHF to Fe(0), coupled with requirements for known extracellular electrical contacts, suggest that direct metal-microbe electron transfer is the most likely option for Fe(0) serving as an electron donor.IMPORTANCE The anaerobic corrosion of iron structures is expensive to repair and can be a safety and environmental concern. It has been known for over 100 years that the presence of anaerobic respiratory microorganisms can accelerate iron corrosion. Multiple studies have suggested that there are sulfate reducers, methanogens, and acetogens that can directly accept electrons from Fe(0) to support sulfate or carbon dioxide reduction. However, all of the strains studied can also use H2 as an electron donor for growth, which is known to be abiotically produced from Fe(0). Furthermore, no proteins definitely shown to function as extracellular electrical contacts with Fe(0) were identified. The studies described here demonstrate that direct electron transfer from Fe(0) can support anaerobic respiration. They also map out a simple genetic approach to the study of iron corrosion mechanisms in other microorganisms. A better understanding of how microorganisms promote iron corrosion is expected to lead to the development of strategies that can help reduce adverse impacts from this process.

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Methanogens predominate in natural corrosion protective layers on metal sheet piles.

Publications

Methanogens predominate in natural corrosion protective layers on metal sheet piles.

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