Biofilm growth and corrosive attack in a lattice model for microbiologically influenced corrosion

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), or biocorrosion, is the process where microorganisms induce corrosion on solid surfaces, including metals. This type of corrosion can severely affect the integrity and lifespan of metal structures, leading to expensive repairs and maintenance. Many bacteria and archaea can adhere to surfaces, proliferate, and form biofilms, releasing corrosive metabolites that accelerate corrosion. Surface protection using coatings is a common strategy to combat MIC. This study proposes a mathematical model and uses the Monte Carlo method to simulate corrosion dynamics on protected surfaces against the action of various microorganisms. The focus is on two key metabolic variables: proliferation and degradation rate (due to the produced metabolites). The simulation results provide insights into the incubation time for different microorganisms as well as the surface configuration after a specific period of time. Understanding bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation mechanisms is crucial, as these are the initial steps in surface colonization that lead to increased corrosion rates. The calculated quantities were shown to be more dependent on the microorganisms’ proliferation mechanisms than on metabolite production.