Visualization of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion by an In-situ Investigation Technique for Metal/Microbial Simultaneous Observation

Abstract

The feasibility of a newly developed biofilm observation technique, COCRM: Continuous-Optimizing Confocal Reflection Microscopy, to an investigation technique for metal/microbial simultaneous observation was examined. According to the COCRM investigation technique, the images of biofilm formation on the test specimen surface and the morphology of metal surface was clearly observed simultaneously. Moreover, continuous 15 h fixed-point in-situ metal/microbial simultaneous observation was performed, then the bacterial movements on the metal surface and the change of the metal surface depending on the time was clearly observed. From the results shown above, the feasibility and the possibility of COCRM to MIC research was confirmed.