Synergistic effects of sodium hypochlorite disinfection and iron-oxidizing bacteria on early corrosion in cast iron pipes

Highlights

• The early corrosion process in the cast iron pipes was investigated.

• The increase of NaOCl (<0.75 mg/L) accelerated the cast iron corrosion.

• Biocorrosion caused by IOB could be divided into three stages in the early stage.

• Synergistic and antagonistic effects exist between residual chlorine and IOB.

Abstract

Corrosion in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) may lead to pipe failures and water quality deterioration; biocorrosion is the most common type. Chlorine disinfectants are widely used in DWDSs to inhibit microorganism growth, but these also promote electrochemical corrosion to a certain extent. This study explored the independent and synergistic effects of chlorine and microorganisms on pipeline corrosion. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at different concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mg/L) and iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) were added to the reaction system, and a biofilm annular reactor (BAR) was employed to simulate operational water supply pipes and explain the composite effects. The degree of corrosion became severe with increasing NaOCl dosage. IOB accelerated the corrosion rate at an early stage, after which the reaction system gradually stabilized. When NaOCl and IOB existed together in the BAR, both synergistic and antagonistic effects occurred during the corrosion process. The AOC content increased due to the addition of NaOCl, which is conducive to bacterial regrowth. However, biofilm on cast iron coupons was greatly influenced by the disinfectant, leading to a decrease in microbial biomass over time. More research is needed to provide guidelines for pipeline corrosion control.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Cast iron pipe corrosion / Drinking water distribution systems / Chlorine disinfection / Iron-oxidizing bacteria / Coupling effects

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for primary support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51979194).

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-021-1506-3 and is accessible for authorized users.

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