Effects of iron-oxidizing bacteria and humic acid of various molecular weights on iron corrosion in drinking water distribution systems

Highlights

	● With ZT-1 and higher MW of HA, α -FeOOH production was promoted initially.
	● FeOOH was transformed into Fe3O4, which was enhanced by ZT-1 and higher MW of HA.
	● ZT-1 and higher MW of HA promoted initial iron corrosion/release.
	● Iron corrosion/release was finally inhibited by ZT-1 and higher MW of HA.

Abstract

Iron corrosion in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) is the root cause of the deterioration of drinking water quality. Humic acid (HA) is a critical component of dissolved organic matter in drinking water. However, the influences of HA on iron pipe corrosion in DWDSs have not been fully understood, especially the combined effects of corrosive microorganisms and HA with different molecular weights (MWs). This study used bench-scale reactors to explore the impacts of iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) (Microbacterium oxydans ZT-1, a common iron-oxidizing bacterium) and HA with different MWs on iron pipe corrosion. Before 6 d, loose and porous goethite (α-FeOOH) was the most prevalent compound in the corrosion products. The addition of ZT-1 and HA promoted iron corrosion and release. Under the condition of ZT-1 + > 100-kDa HA, the maximum values of corrosion rate and total iron concentrations were 0.23 mm/a and 9.94 mg/L, respectively. As corrosion proceeded, magnetite (Fe₃O₄) formed from FeOOH, and Fe-HA complexes accumulated, resulting in deceleration of iron corrosion. After 54 d, the corrosion rate and total iron concentration had decreased by ZT-1, and HA with different MWs.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Iron-oxidizing bacterium (IOB) / Humic acid (HA) / Corrosion / Iron release / Drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs)

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Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-025-1933-7 and is accessible for authorized users.

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