Damaged or partly corroded vivianite (Fe-3(PO4)(2). 8H(2)O) coatings on mil
d steel could be rephosphated in cultures of Pseudomonas putida, required t
hat trace elements were omitted from the cultivation medium. This indicated
that siderophores played a role in the reaction. Restoration of the vivian
ite coating was accompanied by a drop of the surface potential. The corrosi
on resistance of bacterially repaired steel during three weeks of exposure
to a corrosive medium was as good as of bacterially phosphated steel. Weigh
t losses were roughly five times lower than those of unprotected mild steel
coupons, Bacterial restoration might be considered for repairing corroded
technical installations without disassembly. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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