PolyU researchers introduce biomineralisation as a sustainable strategy against microbial corrosion in marine concrete
CREDIT: via Research and Innovation Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Microbially induced corrosion (MIC) is a prevalent issue in marine environments, leading to structural damages such as cracking in concrete infrastructure. This corrosion poses a persistent challenge, significantly reducing the lifespan of marine structures and resulting in substantial economic losses. In response to the need for an effective solution to combat the marine corrosion on concrete, researchers of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University have developed a biomineralization approach to protect marine concrete from MIC.
Prof. Xiang-dong LI, Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, Director of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development, Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, and Ko Jan Ming Professor in Sustainable Urban Development, has led the research that successfully introduces a novel biomineralization strategy, which effectively isolates marine concrete from MIC, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainable coastal structures.
MIC on concrete usually occurs in harsh environments with the presence of corrosive microorganisms, such as sewage structures, wastewater treatment plants, and marine structures. The formation of a biomineralized film on concrete surfaces is typically considered to be the major anticorrosion mechanism as it can provide a barrier to inhibit corrosion.
Prof. LI said, “The biomineralization technique serves as an environmentally friendly coating method for controlling concrete corrosion, with minimal impact on the overall biofilm communities. Also, it utilises carbon dioxide to produce mineral precipitates, enhancing the durability of concrete structures. This process not only reduces the carbon footprint and energy consumption of marine infrastructure throughout its lifespan, but also makes a valuable contribution to carbon neutrality and sustainability.”
The study showed the biomineralization treatment effectively prevents corrosion by reducing the total and relative abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). SRB is a type of anaerobic bacteria and can produce hydrogen sulfide, which is corrosive and can lead to material deterioration.
The biomineralized film acts as a protective layer, controlling sulfate diffusion and isolating the concrete from the corrosive SRB communities. This protective mechanism significantly extends the lifespan of concrete structures. Moreover, this technique has no negative impact on the native marine microbial communities.
Prof. LI added, “If the biomineralized film remains intact, repainting the concrete structures is unnecessary. The utilisation of a single coating treatment eliminates the need for multiple treatments, further minimising the cost and carbon footprint.”
This biomineralization strategy has strong potential for applications in corrosive environments, such as marine environments, sewage environments, and water cooling utilities, where concrete corrosion is induced by corrosive microorganisms.
The research, titled “Biomineralization to prevent microbially induced corrosion on concrete for sustainable marine infrastructure” was published in Environmental Science & Technology. The study employed a combination of chemical and mechanical property measurements of concrete, along with an analysis of the microbial community of biofilms, to evaluate the effectiveness of biomineralization techniques in inhibiting corrosion of marine concrete. These assessments aimed to enhance understanding of MIC development. The results contribute to the development of new techniques for inhabiting corrosion to achieve sustainable marine concrete structures.
In a sulfate chemical attack, calcium hydroxide and calcium aluminate hydrate will be consumed to form gypsum and ettringite, resulting in expansion stress and matrix fracture (Figure 1a). In an MIC attack, bacteria can colonise the corroded layer, which provides an excellent medium for microorganisms to grow. Microbial activity can extend beyond the corrosion layer near to the surface and spread across the deterioration zone (Figure 1b). Compared with chemical corrosion, MIC causes more severe damage to marine concrete structures. However, the formation of the biomineralized film on the concrete surfaces led to higher surface pH (potential of hydrogen) and lower surface sulfate concentrations, which also acted as a protective layer to control the diffusion of sulfate and isolate the concrete from SRB communities, decreasing internal sulfate levels (Figure 1c).
Considering that the type of colonised surface also affects the treatment effect of biomineralization, the effectiveness of biomineralization will be further investigated for different types of concrete to expand its applicability potential. In addition, the functional prediction can be used in future studies to obtain a mechanistic understanding of the possible metabolic capability of microbial action on concrete corrosion. This understanding is beneficial for uncovering the mystery between SRB and the lifespan of marine concrete structures.
Original Article: PolyU researchers introduce biomineralization as a sustainable strategy against microbial corrosion in marine concrete
More from: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Latest Updates from Bing News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Marine corrosion on concrete
- 11 extraordinary clifftop homes that aren't for the fainthearted
Manufactured from reclaimed timber, the coastal cabin was treated with petroleum oil, creating a protective barrier against marine corrosion. With the appearance ... Made from raw concrete, glass and ...
- McCarthy completes construction of major Port of Beaumont project
McCarthy Building Companies has completed construction on the Port of Beaumont, Texas, Main Street Terminal 1. The project included demolition of a failed dock structure and construction of a new ...
- Hawaii's 2021 Red Hill jet fuel leak sickened thousands — but it wasn't the first: "The system has failed us"
"They looked me in the eye and told me… 'We would never poison our own people,'" one former water resource management commissioner said. "And they lied. They lied about all of it." ...
- Comprehensive Guide to Steel Integrity: Preventing Corrosion and Ensuring Structural Safety
Structural steel is a common choice for many industries, including concrete, buildings, architecture, construction, and infrastructure. Corrosion can cause safety issues like instability and other ...
- PolyU researchers introduce biomineralisation as sustainable strategy against microbial corrosion in marine concrete
HONG KONG, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Microbially induced corrosion (MIC) is a major issue in marine environments, leading to structural damage such as cracking in concrete infrastructure. This ...
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Biomineralization
- Of Nanobacteria, Nanoparticles, Biofilms and Their Role in Health and Disease: Facts, Fancy and Future
Bions represent a new type of biological NPs that act as mineral precursors in both physiological and pathological biomineralization. Bions may contribute to various disease and degenerative ...
- Scientists construct organo-phosphatic shells of brachiopods
Biomineralization, which refers to the biomineralization that produces organic-inorganic composite skeletons and shells, is a process that alters the nature of the Earth's fossil record by ...
- A nanoscale look at how shells and coral form reveals that biomineralization is more complex than imagined
A new study at the Advanced Light Source at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) revealed that this process of biomineralization, which sea creatures use ...
- Harnessing the Power of Microalgae-Material Hybrids Paving the Way to Carbon Neutrality
In the quest for sustainable solutions to mitigate climate change and achieve carbon neutrality, researchers are turning to nature’s biological systems for inspiration. Among these systems, microalgae ...
- Save content to
Please be advised that item(s) you selected are not available. Microbial biomineralization is attracting the interest of both fundamental- and applied-oriented researchers due to its great potential.