Elucidating the effects of microbial functions on cement-based materials in marine environments

Abstract

In recent years, Japan has been planning to construct deep-sea infrastructures for the mining of seabed mineral resources and effective utilization of the vast exclusive economic zones. The use of cement-based materials such as concrete is essential for the construction of deep-sea infrastructures, however exposing them to deep-sea environments deteriorates faster than that of terrestrial environments. Therefore, there is a strongly need for detailed evaluation of the effects of deep-sea environments on cement-based materials and development of them so that can maintain durability in such environments for a long time. In this study, we focused on biofilms formed by marine bacteria, which have high alkali tolerance and can grow on cement surfaces, and investigated their effects on the durability of cement-based materials. The results showed that the formation of biofilms on the surface of materials inhibits the penetration of chloride ion concentration, suggesting the possibility of improving the durability of cement-based materials.