Research Progress of Metal Corrosion Caused by Extracellular Polymeric Substances of Microorganisms
It is well known that the widely distributed microorganisms can induce corrosion of metal-lic materials,i.e.,microbiologically influenced corrosion(MIC),which is also an important form of corro-sion.However,it is found that extracellular polymeric substances(EPS),as metabolites of microorgan-isms,play an important role in the corrosion process.In this work,the characteristics of metabolites of typical corrosive microorganisms such as bacteria,fungi,and microalgae,as well as their possible influ-ence on the corrosion of metallic materials are systematically summarized.And then,the structure and functions of EPS,the primary metabolites of microorganisms,are mainly analyzed.The possible func-tions of EPS are discussed.Finally,the acceleration or inhibition effects of EPS on the corrosion of metal-lic materials and the relevant mechanisms were analyzed too.This work aims to provide reference for the subsequent research on the corrosion of metallic materials caused by EPS and corresponding protective countermeasures as well.