On Microbiocorrosion

Abstract

Destruction of rocks and minerals by biological activities has been termed bioerosion (Neumann 1966). It includes mechanical as well as chemical effects, i.e. bioabrasion and biocorrosion (Schneider 1976; Golubic and Schneider 1979). However both processes often co-occur; they are functionally interconnected and mutually supportive. Biocorrosion can result from the activity of macro- or micro- organisms and thus is called macrobiocorrosion and microbiocorrosion. Microbiocorrosion can also be closely associated with microbial rock formation and consolidation in stromatolitic structures (Reid et al. 2000; Macintyre et al.