Phage remediation of microbe-induced corrosion
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Bacteriophage (phage) are the ubiquitous, natural, water-borne predators of bacteria. Phages are highly abundant and diverse: each type attacks only specific bacterial hosts and are harmless to non-host bacteria, all other types of cells and especially to humans. In a typical infection cycle a single phage injects its DNA into a bacterial cell, starting a program that ends with the bursting of the host cell and the release of about 100 progeny virions. There has been historical interest in using phage to treat medically and agriculturally important bacterial pathogens. We are interested in determining if phage can be found that target sulfate-reducing bacteria implicated in microbial induced corrosion or biocorrosion. To this end, virulent phages that target Desulfovibrio vulgaris have been isolated. It is postulated that a "cocktail" of several of these phages, could be targeted against the sessile bacteria in biofilms, where active corrosion occurs in a pipeline, and thus reduce or eliminate the biocorrosion. Phage biocontrol may find utility in any biofouled system, but holds major promise for the oil and gas industry, in mitigating corrosion in pipelines and the souring of reservoirs and decreasing the usage of biocides. 2009 by NACE International.
