A review of some characteristics of MIC caused by sulfate‐reducing bacteria: past, present and future

Microbiologically‐influenced corrosion (MIC) is extremely harmful to both the industry and the environment. Sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) are also important: we have to know what they really are and what they really do to us; this means we have to improve our understanding of SRB and their characteristics. MIC is the officially accepted terminology by NACE[1] to address this type of corrosion. It is a kind of corrosion in which effects of certain microorganisms are felt. MIC is still a matter open for discussion: we cannot explain what is really meant by “microbiological” component, i.e. does it express the possibility that some microbial activity observed at corroded sites on metal surfaces may not result from bacterial growth on metal, but rather that chemical or electrochemical attack on the metal may provide a favorable niche for bacteria to grow? Nor can we be sure about our understanding of the importance of working mechanisms and even the types of microorganisms involved in MIC. In order to have a deeper understanding about corrosion caused by sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB), we have to know more about SRB themselves. So, after discussing the importance of MIC, we will mainly focus on SRB and their characteristics that may be new and interesting to the reader.