Studies on the distribution of bacterial isolates in rare earth environment.

Rare earth soil is precious, but very common across Arabian coast especially in Chavara, (Quilon district, Kerala) south west coast of India. They are widely distributed but usually occur in small amounts and enhance the soil properties. In the present study, 18 different bacterial isolates were identified from three different samples such as soil and biofilm formed on metal surfaces from the rare earth environment of Chavara using 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The accumulation of rare earth elements (REE) by microbes was studied using FT-IR analysis. In the FTIR spectrum of the test system, a peak at 1548 and 1449 cm(-1) indicates the presence of aromatic nuclei (carboxylic acid), while C=C stretch for C-O-C group was noticed at 1237 cm(-1). Thus significant variations in the peak position confirm the presence of carboxyl group and thus it was confirmed that rare earth elements induce the bacteria to produce carboxylic acid and thereby accumulate rare earth elements.

Rapid biological synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using Ocimum sanctum for water electrolysis applications.

The leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum was used as a reducing agent for the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles from an aqueous chloroplatinic acid (H(2)PtCl(6)·6H(2)O). A greater conversion of platinum ions to nanoparticles was achieved by employing a tulsi leaf broth with a reaction temperature of 100 °C. Energy-dispersive absorption X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the platinum particles as major constituent in the reduction process. It is evident from scanning electron microscopy that the reduced platinum particles were found as aggregates with irregular shape. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the compounds such as ascorbic acid, gallic acid, terpenoids, certain proteins and amino acids act as reducing agents for platinum ions reduction. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy suggested the associated forms of platinum with other molecules and the average particle size of platinum nanoparticle was 23 nm, calculated using Scherer equation. The reduced platinum showed similar hydrogen evolution potential and catalytic activity like pure platinum using linear scan voltammetry. This environmentally friendly method of biological platinum nanoparticles production increases the rates of synthesis faster which can potentially be used in water electrolysis applications.

Elecrokinetic separation of sulphate and lead from sludge of spent lead acid battery.

A novel electrokinetic (EK) technique is applied to separate lead and sulphate from the sludge of used/spent lead acid battery. XRD reveals that the sludge is a mixture of (PbO)(4) [Pb(SO(4))], Pb(2)O(3), PbSO(4), Pb(S(2)O(3)) and Pb(2)(SO(4)) which upon DC voltage application in a EK cell employing either titanium electrodes or titanium substrate insoluble anode as electrodes caused migration of sulphates and lead ions respectively into anode and cathode compartments, and accumulation of insoluble lead oxides at the central compartment. The insoluble lead oxides accumulated at the central compartment in the ratio 1:3, respectively for the high oxygen over-voltage Ti-anode (Ti-EK cell) and low oxygen over-voltage TSIA-anode (TSIA-EK cell) shows the superiority of Ti anode over TSIA anode. Also thermal investigation reveals Pb deposited at Ti-cathode is superior to that from TSIA cathode. This process does not release air/soil pollutants which are usually associated with high temperature pyrotechnic process.

Redox behavior of biofilm on glassy carbon electrode.

Marine and freshwater biofilm usually shift the open circuit potential (OCP) of stainless steel towards the electropositive direction by +450 mV vs SCE. The nature of oxide film and bacterial metabolism were also correlated with ennoblement process by various investigators. Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was used in the present study and a shifting of potential in the positive side (+450 mV) was noticed. It indicates that biofilm contributes to the ennoblement process without any n/p-type semiconducting oxide film. The nature of the cathodic curve for the biofilm covered GCE is compared with the previous literature on the electrochemical behavior of stainless steel. The present study explains the oxidation and reduction peaks of biofilm covered GCE by cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical impedance result reveals the diffusion process within the manganese biofilm. The present study confirms the previous investigations that the manganese biofilm rules the electrochemical behavior of materials and suggests that oxide film is not necessary to assist the ennoblement process.

Performance evaluation of low cost adsorbents in reduction of COD in sugar industrial effluent.

Studies on reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in effluent from sugar industry have been carried out by employing different absorbents optimizing various parameters, such as initial concentration of adsorbate, pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time. Experimental studies were carried out in batches using metakaolin, tamarind nut carbon and dates nut carbon as adsorbents by keeping initial adsorbent dosage at 1 g l(-1), agitation time over a range of 30-240 min, adsorbent dosage at 100-800 mg l(-1) by varying the pH range from 4 to 10. Characterization of there adsorbents were done using techniques such as Fourier transforms infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental adsorption data fitted well to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The isotherms of the adsorbents indicate appreciable adsorption capacity. Higher COD removal was observed at neutral pH conditions. Studies reveal that maximum reduction efficiency of COD takes place using metakaolin as an absorbent at a dosage of 500 mg l(-1) in a contact time of 180 min at pH 7 and it could be used as an efficient absorbent for treating sugar industrial effluent.

Influence of an oil soluble inhibitor on microbiologically influenced corrosion in a diesel transporting pipeline.

Microbial degradation of the oil soluble corrosion inhibitor (OSCI) Baker NC 351 contributed to a decrease in inhibitor efficiency. Corrosion inhibition efficiency was studied by the rotating cage and flow loop methods. The nature of the biodegradation of the corrosion inhibitor was also analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The influence of bacterial activity on the degradation of the corrosion inhibitor and its influence on corrosion of API 5LX were evaluated using a weight loss technique and impedance studies. Serratia marcescens ACE2 and Bacillus cereus ACE4 can degrade aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons present in the corrosion inhibitor. The present study also discusses the demerits of the oil soluble corrosion inhibitors used in petroleum product pipeline.

Bacterial degradation and corrosion of naphtha in transporting pipeline.

Five naphtha hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria including representative strains of the two classified species (Serratia marcescensAR1, Bacillus pumilusAR2, Bacillus carboniphilus AR3, Bacillus megaterium AR4, and Bacillus cereus AR5) were identified by 16S rDNA gene sequence in a naphtha-transporting pipeline. The naphtha-degrading strains were able to be involved in the corrosion process of API 5LX steel and also utilized the naphtha as the sole carbon source. The biodegradation of naphtha by the bacterial isolates was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Weight-loss measurement on the corrosion of API 5LX steel in the presence/absence of consortia grown in naphtha-water aqueous media was performed. The scanning electron microscope observation showed that the consortia were able to attack the steel API 5LX surface, creating localized corrosion (pit). The biodegradation of naphtha by the strains AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4, and AR5 showed biodegradation efficiency of about 76.21, 67.20, 68.78, 68.78, and 68.15, respectively. The role of degradation on corrosion has been discussed. This basic study will be useful for the development of new approaches for the detection, monitoring, and control of microbial corrosion in a petroleum product pipeline.

Role of cationic and nonionic surfactants on biocidal efficiency in diesel-water interface.

Biodegradation occurs at the interface between diesel and water. The microbial contamination can result in inhibitor/fuel degradation that leads to the unacceptable level of turbidity, filter plugging, corrosion of storage tanks, pipeline and souring of stored products. Hence, selection of biocides/inhibitors is an important aspect in petroleum product transporting pipeline. Three biocides (cationic and nonionic) were employed to study the biodegradation of diesel in diesel-water interface. The biocidal efficiency on biodegradation of diesel was examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Polyoxyethyleneglycol dodecyl ether [BRIJ-35] and polyethylene glycol-p-isooctylphenyl ether [TRITON-X-100] had higher bactericidal efficiency than Dodecyl ethyl dimethyl ammonium bromide [DDAB]. But the cationic biocide (DDAB) gave good biocidal efficiency at the interface. The data are explained in terms of a model that postulates the formation of "micelle" at the diesel-water interface.

Water-soluble inhibitor on microbiologically influenced corrosion in diesel pipeline.

The effect of water-soluble corrosion inhibitor on the growth of bacteria and its corrosion inhibition efficiency were investigated. Corrosion inhibition efficiency was studied by rotating cage test and flow loop techniques. The nature of biodegradation of corrosion inhibitor was also analyzed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and Gas chromatography and mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The bacterial isolates (Serratia marcescens ACE2, Bacillus cereus ACE4) have the capacity to degrade the aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon present in the corrosion inhibitor. The degraded products of corrosion inhibitor and bacterial activity determine the electrochemical behaviour of API 5LX steel. The influence of bacterial activity on degradation of corrosion inhibitor and its influence on corrosion of API 5LX have been evaluated by employing weight loss techniques and electrochemical studies. The main finding of this paper is that the water-soluble corrosion inhibitor is consumed by the microbial action, which contributes to the decrease in inhibitor efficiency. The present study also emphasis the importance of evaluation of water-soluble corrosion inhibitor in stagnant model (flow loop test) and discusses the demerits of the water-soluble corrosion inhibitors in petroleum product pipeline.

Biocidal effects of photocatalytic semiconductor TiO2.

Photocatalytic action of the commercial TiO(2) was the subject of study on the destruction of the microbes within the biofilms. The TiO(2) powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) for identifying its type and the particle size was determined. The biofilm was allowed to form over TiO(2) coatings over glass slides irradiated with polychromatic light for different time durations and distances. It indicates that a five-fold decrease in bacterial count due to the formation of H(2)O(2) at TiO(2)/biofilm interface. The formation of H(2)O(2) at the TiO(2)/biofilm interface is estimated and it does not destroy the entire bacterial population within the biofilm. Bacterial killing effect is supported by FT-IR analysis.

Control of metallic corrosion through microbiological route.

Involvement of biofilm or microorganisms in corrosion processes is widely acknowledged. Although majority of the studies on microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) have concentrated on aerobic/anaerobic bacteria. There are numerous aerobic bacteria, which could hinder the corrosion process. The microbiologically produced exopolymers provide the structural frame work for the biofilm. These polymers combine with dissolved metal ions and form organometallic complexes. Generally heterotrophic bacteria contribute to three major processes: (i) synthesis of polymers (ii) accumulation of reserve materials like poly-beta-hydroxy butrate (iii) production of high molecular weight extracellular polysaccharides. Poly-beta-hydroxy butyrate is a polymer of D(-)beta-hydroxy butrate and has a molecular weight between 60,000 and 2,50,000. Some extracellular polymers also have higher molecular weights. It seems that higher molecular weight polymer acts as biocoating. In the present review, role of biochemistry on corrosion inhibition and possibilities of corrosion inhibition by various microbes are discussed. The role of bacteria on current demand during cathodic protection is also debated. In addition, some of the significant contributions made by CECRI in this promising area are highlighted.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion in petroleum product pipelines--a review.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion is responsible for most of the internal corrosion problems in oil transportation pipelines and storage tanks. One problematic area in treating gas lines is the occurrence of the stratification of water in the line. Under these conditions, corrosion inhibitors do not come into contact properly and oil and inhibitors undergo degradation. The role of bacteria on oil degradation, the consequences of oil degradation in fuel systems and its influence on corrosion have been explained in detail. Besides, factors influencing on degradation of oil and corrosion inhibitors have also been discussed. Mechanism of microbiologically influenced corrosion in oil pipeline has been explained. Many of the misapplication of biocides/inhibitors occur mainly because the characteristics of biocides/inhibitors are not considered before use in pipeline industry. List of biocides and monitoring programme have been collected from literature and presented.