Modeling Microbiologically Influenced Marine Corrosion of Steels

In practice engineers and others need tools for predicting the amount of corrosion, and in particular the likely depth of corrosion pitting, for the safe management of steel infrastructure exposed to marine environments. Such corrosion may include the effect of microbiological influences. Much interest is in predicting, preferably accurately and quantitatively, the likely corrosion in the future. This requires mathematical models based on scientific principles and calibrated to relevant data. A model for longer term corrosion is reviewed briefly and the potential influence of bacteria and other microbiological species considered for exposures in marine environments. It relates availability of critical nutrients corrosion severity. This has shown good correlation for longer term (years) marine corrosion of steels and also for so-called accelerated low water corrosion of coastal structures such as sheet piling. The internal corrosion of water injection pipelines is considered and recent results reviewed.