Liam Jones, SoCoBio DTP alumni, is incredibly proud to share the fourth and final publication from his PhD research, marking the culmination of a journey exploring microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in complex marine biofilm environments.

Using our novel dual anaerobic biofilm reactor, this study investigated how ecologically relevant microbial communities drive corrosion under anoxic conditions.

Key findings include:
• Significantly higher pit density and severity in biotic systems — up to 47 pits/mm² compared to 3 pits/mm² in abiotic controls
• Detection of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and Desulfovibrio vulgaris, electroactive microorganisms that play a central role in extracellular electron transfer (EET) and MIC progression
• Biofilms promoted deeper, more localized pitting — underlining the risks posed by mixed-species communities
• This reactor-based approach provides a customizable and reproducible platform for MIC research and mitigation strategy testing

This paper builds on and completes a series of studies aimed at bridging the gap between laboratory models and real-world industrial conditions.

Read the publication in full here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.70116