J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2022, Vol. 128: 107-117.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2022.02.057

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Biocorrosion induced by red-tide alga-bacterium symbiosis and the biofouling induced by dissolved iron for carbon steel in marine environment

Dong Yuqiaoa, Song Guang-Linga,c,d,*(), Zhang Jiaweib, Gao Yahuib, Ming Wang Zia, Zheng Dajianga   

  1. aCenter for Marine Materials Corrosion and Protection, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
    bSchool of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
    cDepartment of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
    dThe University of Queensland, School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, Division of Materials Engineering, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
  • Received:2021-11-10 Revised:2022-01-30 Accepted:2022-02-24 Published:2022-11-20 Online:2022-11-22
  • Contact: Song Guang-Ling
  • About author:*E-mail address: songgl@sustech.edu.cn (G.-L. Song).

Abstract:

The assemblages of unicellular microalgae and bacteria in phytoplankton communities can generally result in biodeterioration of metals in marine environment. In this study, the self-promoted biofouling mechanism underneath red-tide alga Phaeodactylum tricornutum and its symbiotic bacterium Bacillus altitudinis was systematically revealed. The mutualistic interaction of the bacteria and algae quadrupled the corrosion rate in comparison to the individual effect of the bacterium or algal strain alone. Reversely, the corroded metal appeared to be an accelerator that can stimulate the activity of the P. tricornutum and aggravate the biological pollution based on the result of 62.3% up-regulation of the key photosynthesis genes. The corrosion-biofouling-accelerated corrosion-deteriorated biofouling formed a vicious cycle.

Key words: Algal-bacterial symbiosis, Marine biofouling, Carbon steel, Corrosion products