Green biocide for mitigating sulfate-reducing bacteria influenced microbial corrosion.

In the present investigation, Polyalthia longifolia plant extract (PLAE) was used as biocide to control corrosion in the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Transmission electron microscopy showed the damage of SRB outer cell membrane which lead to cell destruction and disturbed membrane permeability. The scanning electron microscopy also confirmed the cell shrinkage due to green biocide, and energy-dispersive Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy indicated the decrease in sulfide concentration in the presence of biocide. Potentiodynamic polarization of mild steel showed the lower in corrosion rate due to the decrease in cathodic reduction kinetics of SRB in the presence of biocide PLAE. The gravimetric mass loss also showed corrosion rate dropped from 0.064 millimeter per year (mm/year) to 0.013 mm/year with and without biocide. The present study showed that P. longifolia extract could be a novel biocide against the growth of the SRB to control corrosion in oil and gas industries.