Corrosion of technical materials in the presence of biofilms—current understanding and state-of-the art methods of study

It is documented that biofilms are capable of influencing electrochemical processes at the metal surface, often leading to deterioration of metals referred to as biocorrosion or microbiologically influenced corrosion. Biofilms typically consist of microbial cells and their metabolic products including extracellular polymers, and inorganic precipitates. Interaction of biofilms and exopolymers with metal ions has long been proposed as one of the mechanisms of metal biodeterioration. This paper presents an overview of the application of modern microscopy and surface analysis techniques in studying the involvement of biofilms and extracellular polymeric material in the biocorrosion process of metals and their alloys.