SRB (Sulfate Reducing Bacteria) into biofilms.

Into a biofilm attached onto a steel surface, SRB is always present. Being anaerobic, it is located at the inner side of the biofilm, especially at the layer attached onto the metal surface, where the oxygen concentration is minimal.

This is also protecting its sensitive nature from possible toxicants.

SRB is a valuable member (worker) of the biofilm community, reducing sulfates and producing hydrogen sulfide. This hydrogen sulfide is corroding the steel, producing iron ions, necessary for the cell formation and the aspiration of all bacteria living into the biofilm.

Due to this action, SRB is protected and supported from entire biofilm community. Other bacteria are scarifying themselves, eliminating the toxicants, to protect SRB.

This makes the performances of our processes of killing SRB poor. On the other hand the corrosion attack is local, just behind the biofilm colony.