Identification of key factors in Accelerated Low Water Corrosion through experimental simulation of tidal conditions: influence of stimulated indigenous microbiota

Biotic and abiotic factors favoring Accelerated Low Water Corrosion (ALWC) on harbor steel structures remain unclear warranting their study under controlled experimental tidal conditions. Initial stimulation of marine microbial consortia by a pulse of organic matter resulted in localized corrosion and the highest corrosion rates (up to 12-times higher than non-stimulated conditions) in the low water zone, persisting after nine months exposure to natural seawater. Correlations between corrosion severity and the abundance and composition of metabolically active sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) indicated the importance and persistence of specific bacterial populations in accelerated corrosion. One phylotype related to the electrogenic SRB Desulfopila corrodens appeared as the major causative agent of the accelerated corrosion. The similarity of bacterial populations related to sulfur and iron cycles, mineral and tuberculation with those identified in ALWC support the relevance of experimental simulation of tidal conditions in the management of steel corrosion exposed to harbor environments.     

Comparison of microbial communities involved in souring and corrosion in offshore and onshore oil production facilities in Nigeria

Samples were obtained from the Obigbo field, located onshore in the Niger delta, Nigeria, from which oil is produced by injection of low-sulfate groundwater, as well as from the offshore Bonga field from which oil is produced by injection of high-sulfate (2,200 ppm) seawater, amended with 45 ppm of calcium nitrate to limit reservoir souring. Despite low concentrations of sulfate (0–7 ppm) and nitrate (0 ppm), sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and heterotrophic nitrate-reducing bacteria (NRB) were present in samples from the Obigbo field. Biologically active deposits (BADs), scraped from corrosion-failed sections of a water- and of an oil-transporting pipeline (both Obigbo), had high counts of SRB and high sulfate and ferrous iron concentrations. Analysis of microbial community composition by pyrosequencing indicated anaerobic, methanogenic hydrocarbon degradation to be a dominant process in all samples from the Obigbo field, including the BADs. Samples from the Bonga field also had significant activity of SRB, as well as of heterotrophic and of sulfide-oxidizing NRB. Microbial community analysis indicated high proportions of potentially thermophilic NRB and near-absence of microbes active in methanogenic hydrocarbon degradation. Anaerobic incubation of Bonga samples with steel coupons gave moderate general corrosion rates of 0.045–0.049 mm/year, whereas near-zero general corrosion rates (0.001–0.002 mm/year) were observed with Obigbo water samples. Hence, methanogens may contribute to corrosion at Obigbo, but the low general corrosion rates cannot explain the reasons for pipeline failures in the Niger delta. A focus of future work should be on understanding the role of BADs in enhancing under-deposit pitting corrosion.     

Analysis of Diversity and Activity of Sulfate-Reducing Bacterial Communities in Sulfidogenic Bioreactors Using 16S rRNA and dsrB Genes as Molecular Markers

Here we describe the diversity and activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in sulfidogenic bioreactors by using the simultaneous analysis of PCR products obtained from DNA and RNA of the 16S rRNA and dissimilatory sulfite reductase (dsrAB) genes. We subsequently analyzed the amplified gene fragments by using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). We observed fewer bands in the RNA-based DGGE profiles than in the DNA-based profiles, indicating marked differences in the populations present and in those that were metabolically active at the time of sampling. Comparative sequence analyses of the bands obtained from rRNA and dsrB DGGE profiles were congruent, revealing the same SRB populations. Bioreactors that received either ethanol or isopropanol as an energy source showed the presence of SRB affiliated with Desulfobulbus rhabdoformis and/or Desulfovibrio sulfodismutans, as well as SRB related to the acetate-oxidizing Desulfobacca acetoxidans. The reactor that received wastewater containing a diverse mixture of organic compounds showed the presence of nutritionally versatile SRB affiliated with Desulfosarcina variabilis and another acetate-oxidizing SRB, affiliated with Desulfoarculus baarsii. In addition to DGGE analysis, we performed whole-cell hybridization with fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probes to estimate the relative abundances of the dominant sulfate-reducing bacterial populations. Desulfobacca acetoxidans-like populations were most dominant (50 to 60%) relative to the total SRB communities, followed by Desulfovibrio-like populations (30 to 40%), and Desulfobulbus-like populations (15 to 20%). This study is the first to identify metabolically active SRB in sulfidogenic bioreactors by using the functional gene dsrAB as a molecular marker. The same approach can also be used to infer the ecological role of coexisting SRB in other habitats.     

Impact of sulphate-reducing bacteria on the performance of engineering materials

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is an electrochemical corrosion influenced by the presence/action of biological agents such as, but not limited to, bacteria. One of the key elements of MIC is sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). There are still many misunderstandings about these bacteria, their role in the deterioration of engineering materials and their importance over other types of corrosion-related micro-/macro-organisms. SRB do not require oxygen, yet they can be found in oxygenated environments; they are capable of tolerating a relative wide range of temperature, pH, chloride concentration and pressure values. Not only can SRB have deteriorating impact on engineering materials, they are also capable of inducing harm to health and agriculture. In this paper, after reviewing facts and figures regarding ecological and economical impacts of corrosion in general and MIC, in particular, the central concept of MIC, that is, biofilm formation and its deterioration mechanisms and the role of SRB in such mechanisms are described. Also, the possible enhancing role of SRB on stress corrosion cracking of steels and the controversial concept of no relationship between the number of SRB and corrosion rate are addressed and reviewed.     

Extracellular Electron Transfer Is a Bottleneck in the Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of C1018 Carbon Steel by the Biofilm of Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris

Carbon steels are widely used in the oil and gas industry from downhole tubing to transport trunk lines. Microbes form biofilms, some of which cause the so-called microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of carbon steels. MIC by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) is often a leading cause in MIC failures. Electrogenic SRB sessile cells harvest extracellular electrons from elemental iron oxidation for energy production in their metabolism. A previous study suggested that electron mediators riboflavin and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) both accelerated the MIC of 304 stainless steel by the Desulfovibrio vulgaris biofilm that is a corrosive SRB biofilm. Compared with stainless steels, carbon steels are usually far more prone to SRB attacks because SRB biofilms form much denser biofilms on carbon steel surfaces with a sessile cell density that is two orders of magnitude higher. In this work, C1018 carbon steel coupons were used in tests of MIC by D. vulgaris with and without an electron mediator. Experimental weight loss and pit depth data conclusively confirmed that both riboflavin and FAD were able to accelerate D. vulgaris attack against the carbon steel considerably. It has important implications in MIC failure analysis and MIC mitigation in the oil and gas industry.     

Diverse sulfate-reducing bacteria of the Desulfosarcina/Desulfococcus clade are the key alkane degraders at marine seeps

Biogeochemical and microbiological data indicate that the anaerobic oxidation of non-methane hydrocarbons by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) has an important role in carbon and sulfur cycling at marine seeps. Yet, little is known about the bacterial hydrocarbon degraders active in situ. Here, we provide the link between previous biogeochemical measurements and the cultivation of degraders by direct identification of SRB responsible for butane and dodecane degradation in complex on-site microbiota. Two contrasting seep sediments from Mediterranean Amon mud volcano and Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California) were incubated with ¹³C-labeled butane or dodecane under sulfate-reducing conditions and analyzed via complementary stable isotope probing (SIP) techniques. Using DNA- and rRNA-SIP, we identified four specialized clades of alkane oxidizers within Desulfobacteraceae to be distinctively active in oxidation of short- and long-chain alkanes. All clades belong to the Desulfosarcina/Desulfococcus (DSS) clade, substantiating the crucial role of these bacteria in anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation at marine seeps. The identification of key enzymes of anaerobic alkane degradation, subsequent β-oxidation and the reverse Wood–Ljungdahl pathway for complete substrate oxidation by protein-SIP further corroborated the importance of the DSS clade and indicated that biochemical pathways, analog to those discovered in the laboratory, are of great relevance for natural settings. The high diversity within identified subclades together with their capability to initiate alkane degradation and growth within days to weeks after substrate amendment suggest an overlooked potential of marine benthic microbiota to react to natural changes in seepage, as well as to massive hydrocarbon input, for example, as encountered during anthropogenic oil spills.     

Diversity and Characterization of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Groundwater at a Uranium Mill Tailings Site

Microbially mediated reduction and immobilization of U(VI) to U(IV) plays a role in both natural attenuation and accelerated bioremediation of uranium-contaminated sites. To realize bioremediation potential and accurately predict natural attenuation, it is important to first understand the microbial diversity of such sites. In this paper, the distribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in contaminated groundwater associated with a uranium mill tailings disposal site at Shiprock, N.Mex., was investigated. Two culture-independent analyses were employed: sequencing of clone libraries of PCR-amplified dissimilatory sulfite reductase (DSR) gene fragments and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) biomarker analysis. A remarkable diversity among the DSR sequences was revealed, including sequences from δ-Proteobacteria, gram-positive organisms, and the Nitrospira division. PLFA analysis detected at least 52 different mid-chain-branched saturate PLFA and included a high proportion of 10me16:0. Desulfotomaculum and Desulfotomaculum-like sequences were the most dominant DSR genes detected. Those belonging to SRB within δ-Proteobacteria were mainly recovered from low-uranium (≤302 ppb) samples. One Desulfotomaculum-like sequence cluster overwhelmingly dominated high-U (>1,500 ppb) sites. Logistic regression showed a significant influence of uranium concentration over the dominance of this cluster of sequences (P = 0.0001). This strong association indicates that Desulfotomaculum has remarkable tolerance and adaptation to high levels of uranium and suggests the organism's possible involvement in natural attenuation of uranium. The in situ activity level of Desulfotomaculum in uranium-contaminated environments and its comparison to the activities of other SRB and other functional groups should be an important area for future research.     

Corrosion of Iron by Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria: New Views of an Old Problem

About a century ago, researchers first recognized a connection between the activity of environmental microorganisms and cases of anaerobic iron corrosion. Since then, such microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) has gained prominence and its technical and economic implications are now widely recognized. Under anoxic conditions (e.g., in oil and gas pipelines), sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are commonly considered the main culprits of MIC. This perception largely stems from three recurrent observations. First, anoxic sulfate-rich environments (e.g., anoxic seawater) are particularly corrosive. Second, SRB and their characteristic corrosion product iron sulfide are ubiquitously associated with anaerobic corrosion damage, and third, no other physiological group produces comparably severe corrosion damage in laboratory-grown pure cultures. However, there remain many open questions as to the underlying mechanisms and their relative contributions to corrosion. On the one hand, SRB damage iron constructions indirectly through a corrosive chemical agent, hydrogen sulfide, formed by the organisms as a dissimilatory product from sulfate reduction with organic compounds or hydrogen (“chemical microbially influenced corrosion”; CMIC). On the other hand, certain SRB can also attack iron via withdrawal of electrons (“electrical microbially influenced corrosion”; EMIC), viz., directly by metabolic coupling. Corrosion of iron by SRB is typically associated with the formation of iron sulfides (FeS) which, paradoxically, may reduce corrosion in some cases while they increase it in others. This brief review traces the historical twists in the perception of SRB-induced corrosion, considering the presently most plausible explanations as well as possible early misconceptions in the understanding of severe corrosion in anoxic, sulfate-rich environments.     

油田硫酸盐还原菌酸化腐蚀机制及防治研究进展

硫酸盐还原菌(Sulfate reducing bacteria,SRB)是一些厌氧产硫化氢的细菌的统称,是以有机物为养料的厌氧菌。它们广泛分布于pH值6-9的土壤、海水、河水、淤泥、地下管道、油气井、港湾及锈层中,它们生存于好气性硫细菌产生的沉积物下,其最适宜的生长温度是20-30℃,可以在高达50-60℃的温度下生存,与腐蚀相关的最主要的是脱硫脱硫弧菌(Desulfovibrio desulfuricans)。 它们是许多腐蚀问题的主因,例如油田系统金属管路的腐蚀等。在海上油田生产中,海水常被注入油井用于进行2次采油。富含硫酸盐的海水能加速油藏中SRB的生长,随之H₂S大量产生,引起油田水的酸化,H₂S具有毒性和腐蚀性,增加石油和天然气中的硫含量,并可能引起油田堵塞。SRB引起的腐蚀问题是拭待解决的最主要问题。国内外治理该问题的途径主要有物理杀灭、添加化学杀菌剂等方法,但是这些方法成本高,持续效果不显著。近几年来国外学者开始重点关注利用生物竞争排斥技术(Bio-competitive inhibition technology,BCX)控制硫酸盐还原菌的生长代谢的方法,该方法的原理为通过加入特定的药剂,激活油藏中的本源微生物或加入外源微生物,使其与SRB竞争营养源或产生代谢物抑制SRB的生长代谢,进而抑制H₂S的产生。GMT-LATA的科学家对在厌氧油气储层和开采系统中硝酸盐还原菌的作用进行了最早的研究,认为该细菌可以抑制硫酸盐还原菌的代谢活动。随后BCX技术已经在国外部分油田得到了应用,国内还没有在海油生产中应用的报道,但是也有学者对该方法进行了研究。     

Manganese biofouling and the corrosion behavior of stainless steel

Manganese- and iron-oxidizing bacteria (MFOB) are widely implicated in microbially influenced corrosion, often in association with sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Traditionally MFOB have been assigned a passive role in the corrosion process, promoting differential aeration cells, and providing oxygen depleted conditions conducive to the growth and corrosive attack of SRB. Recent work, summarized in this article, demonstrates that manganese biofouling alters the electrochemical behavior of stainless steel (SS), and suggests that MFOB are more active in localized corrosion than traditionally held. The paper discusses the chemistry and potentially corrosive impact of manganese and iron oxides on SS, explores the possible relationship between MFOB and SRB, and proposes a model to describe the synergistic influence these organisms may exert in the corrosion process.     

Impact of nitrate-mediated microbial control of souring in oil reservoirs on the extent of corrosion

The effect of microbial control of souring on the extent of corrosion was studied in a model system consisting of pure cultures of the nitrate-reducing, sulfide-oxidizing bacterium (NR-SOB) Thiomicrospira sp. strain CVO and the sulfate-reducing bacterium (SRB) Desulfovibrio sp. strain Lac6, as well as in an SRB consortium enriched from produced water from a Canadian oil reservoir. The average corrosion rate induced by the SRB consortium (1.4 g x m(-2) x day(-1)) was faster than that observed in the presence of strain Lac6 (0.2 g x m(-2) x day(-1)). Examination of the metallic coupons at the end of the tests indicated a uniform corrosion in both cases. Addition of CVO and 10 mM nitrate to a fully grown culture of Lac6 or the SRB consortium led to complete removal of sulfide from the system and a significant increase in the population of CVO, as determined by reverse sample genome probing. In the case of the SRB consortium addition of just nitrate (10 mM) had a similar effect. When grown in the absence of nitrate, the consortium was dominated by Desulfovibrio sp. strains Lac15 and Lac29, while growth in the presence of nitrate led to dominance of Desulfovibrio sp. strain Lac3. The addition of CVO and nitrate to the Lac6 culture or nitrate to the SRB consortium accelerated the average corrosion rate to 1.5 and 2.9 g x m(-2) x day(-1), respectively. Localized corrosion and the occurrence of pitting were apparent in both cases. Although the sulfide concentration (0.5-7 mM) had little effect on corrosion rates, a clear increase of the corrosion rate with increasing nitrate concentration was observed in experiments conducted with consortia enriched from produced water.     

Influence of sulfate reducing bacterial biofilm on corrosion behavior of low-alloy,high-strength steel (API-5L X80)

The utilization of high strength carbon steels in oil and gas transportation systems has recently increased. This work investigates microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of API 5L X80 linepipe steel by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). The biofilm and pit morphology that developed with time were characterized with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), polarization resistance (R_p) and open circuit potential (OCP) were used to analyze the corrosion behavior. Through circuit modeling, EIS results were used to interpret the physicoelectric interactions between the electrode, biofilm and solution interfaces. The results confirmed that the extensive localized corrosion activity of SRB is due to a formed biofilm and a porous iron sulfide layer on the metal surface. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) revealed the presence of different sulfide and oxide constituents in the corrosion products for the system exposed to SRB.     

Structural and Functional Dynamics of Sulfate-Reducing Populations in Bacterial Biofilms

We describe the combined application of microsensors and molecular techniques to investigate the development of sulfate reduction and of sulfate-reducing bacterial populations in an aerobic bacterial biofilm. Microsensor measurements for oxygen showed that anaerobic zones developed in the biofilm within 1 week and that oxygen was depleted in the top 200 to 400 μm during all stages of biofilm development. Sulfate reduction was first detected after 6 weeks of growth, although favorable conditions for growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were present from the first week. In situ hybridization with a 16S rRNA probe for SRB revealed that sulfate reducers were present in high numbers (approximately 10⁸ SRB/ml) in all stages of development, both in the oxic and anoxic zones of the biofilm. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that the genetic diversity of the microbial community increased during the development of the biofilm. Hybridization analysis of the DGGE profiles with taxon-specific oligonucleotide probes showed that Desulfobulbus and Desulfovibrio were the main sulfate-reducing bacteria in all biofilm samples as well as in the bulk activated sludge. However, different Desulfobulbus and Desulfovibrio species were found in the 6th and 8th weeks of incubation, respectively, coinciding with the development of sulfate reduction. Our data indicate that not all SRB detected by molecular analysis were sulfidogenically active in the biofilm.     

Marine ‘copper-tolerant’ sulphate reducing bacteria and their effects on 90/10 copper-nickel (CA 706)

Copper and nickel ‘tolerant’ marine sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) were isolated from 90/10 copper-nickel and shown to attach and grow on the alloy. Their effects upon the corrosion resistance of the alloy, using energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical polarisation analyses, were shown to be identical to those produced by synthetic addition of sulphide to test solutions reported by others. Thus attached SRB may have a role in 90/10 copper-nickel corrosion as long as they also possess transient oxygen tolerance.     

高温油藏生物膜内硫酸盐还原菌的腐蚀机理及防治策略

硫酸盐还原菌(sulfate-reducing bacteria,SRB)广泛分布于高温、高压及高盐的石油油藏中,在油藏硫循环中起主导作用。SRB能在油藏生物膜内生长,有微量低分子有机酸时利用硫酸盐为电子受体并将其还原成硫化氢。硫化氢会腐蚀管道,导致原油泄露等其他安全问题,每年造成的经济损失超过7 000亿元。本文首先总结了油藏生物膜内微生物菌群多样性,分析了生物膜内SRB及其相关菌群的协同腐蚀机理;然后讨论了高温油藏SRB介导的硫氮氢生物地球化学循环过程、胞外电子传递机制及其腐蚀作用,并通过几个高温油藏SRB生物膜内腐蚀的现场案例进一步阐明了SRB的腐蚀机制。在此基础上,提出了应对高温油藏生物膜内SRB腐蚀的生物纳米防治策略,这为高温油藏管道防腐提供了新思路。     

Diversity and characterization of sulfate-reducing bacteria in groundwater at a uranium mill tailings site.

Microbially mediated reduction and immobilization of U(VI) to U(IV) plays a role in both natural attenuation and accelerated bioremediation of uranium-contaminated sites. To realize bioremediation potential and accurately predict natural attenuation, it is important to first understand the microbial diversity of such sites. In this paper, the distribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in contaminated groundwater associated with a uranium mill tailings disposal site at Shiprock, N.Mex., was investigated. Two culture-independent analyses were employed: sequencing of clone libraries of PCR-amplified dissimilatory sulfite reductase (DSR) gene fragments and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) biomarker analysis. A remarkable diversity among the DSR sequences was revealed, including sequences from delta-Proteobacteria, gram-positive organisms, and the Nitrospira division. PLFA analysis detected at least 52 different mid-chain-branched saturate PLFA and included a high proportion of 10me16:0. Desulfotomaculum and Desulfotomaculum-like sequences were the most dominant DSR genes detected. Those belonging to SRB within delta-Proteobacteria were mainly recovered from low-uranium (< or =302 ppb) samples. One Desulfotomaculum-like sequence cluster overwhelmingly dominated high-U (>1,500 ppb) sites. Logistic regression showed a significant influence of uranium concentration over the dominance of this cluster of sequences (P = 0.0001). This strong association indicates that Desulfotomaculum has remarkable tolerance and adaptation to high levels of uranium and suggests the organism's possible involvement in natural attenuation of uranium. The in situ activity level of Desulfotomaculum in uranium-contaminated environments and its comparison to the activities of other SRB and other functional groups should be an important area for future research.     

Analysis of diversity and activity of sulfate-reducing bacterial communities in sulfidogenic bioreactors using 16S rRNA and dsrB genes as molecular markers

Here we describe the diversity and activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in sulfidogenic bioreactors by using the simultaneous analysis of PCR products obtained from DNA and RNA of the 16S rRNA and dissimilatory sulfite reductase (dsrAB) genes. We subsequently analyzed the amplified gene fragments by using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). We observed fewer bands in the RNA-based DGGE profiles than in the DNA-based profiles, indicating marked differences in the populations present and in those that were metabolically active at the time of sampling. Comparative sequence analyses of the bands obtained from rRNA and dsrB DGGE profiles were congruent, revealing the same SRB populations. Bioreactors that received either ethanol or isopropanol as an energy source showed the presence of SRB affiliated with Desulfobulbus rhabdoformis and/or Desulfovibrio sulfodismutans, as well as SRB related to the acetate-oxidizing Desulfobacca acetoxidans. The reactor that received wastewater containing a diverse mixture of organic compounds showed the presence of nutritionally versatile SRB affiliated with Desulfosarcina variabilis and another acetate-oxidizing SRB, affiliated with Desulfoarculus baarsii. In addition to DGGE analysis, we performed whole-cell hybridization with fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probes to estimate the relative abundances of the dominant sulfate-reducing bacterial populations. Desulfobacca acetoxidans-like populations were most dominant (50 to 60%) relative to the total SRB communities, followed by Desulfovibrio-like populations (30 to 40%), and Desulfobulbus-like populations (15 to 20%). This study is the first to identify metabolically active SRB in sulfidogenic bioreactors by using the functional gene dsrAB as a molecular marker. The same approach can also be used to infer the ecological role of coexisting SRB in other habitats.     

Seasonal Cycling of Fe and S in a Constructed Wetland: The Role of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

The role of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the cycling of Fe and S was studied in a young constructed wetland located in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. The wetland is a surface-flow system composed of three consecutive cells. Sediments and water samples were collected over the course of 1 year within each cell. Sediments were analyzed for the presence of SRB (using a lactate-rich medium), whereas surface and porewaters were analyzed for their concentrations of dissolved Fe and sulfate and for pH, E_h, and dissolved organic carbon. Lactate-using SRB were present at all three sites within the wetland, and the populations were largest (10¹⁰ colony-forming units per gram of sediment) during the cold winter months, where the temperature of the water was 1°C. The presence of high-SRB populations also corresponded to highly anoxic conditions within the sediments and to a decrease of sulfate concentrations, suggesting that cold temperature did not affect the activity of SRB. Our results indicate that Fe and S cycling in the young constructed wetland was active throughout the year, especially in the cold winter months, where large SRB populations were encountered. This suggests that Fe removal in wetlands can be effective in temperate climates, even though the temperature of the water decreases drastically during the winter.     

Diversity of culturable sulfidogenic bacteria in two oil–water separation tanks in the north-eastern oil fields of India

Sulfidogenic communities in the production waters of onshore oil fields in north-eastern India were examined using a culturing approach. Production water samples were inoculated into medium selective for Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) and Thiosulfate Reducing Bacteria (TRB). The total number of viable sulfidogenic microorganisms in the samples obtained from the two production water tanks was approximately 10⁵ MPN ml^?1 (most probable number per ml). Most of the isolates were thermo-tolerant and could be grown between 40 and 45 °C. Hydrogen sulfide production by TRB was significantly higher than by SRB. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the isolates were grouped in nine different phylotypes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that most of the SRB were affiliated with the phylum Proteobacteria, encompassing Gram-negative bacteria, belonging to the genera Desulfovibrio, Desulfomicrobium, and Desulfobulbus. However, five isolates grouped with the genus Desulfotomaculum were found to be gram-positive SRB. Most of the thiosulfate reducing isolates was affiliated with the phylum Firmicutes, including Clostridium and Fusibacter and also with the phylum Proteobacteria, including the genera Enterobacter and Citrobacter. Phylotypes related to Clostridium (69%) and Desulfovibrio (53%) dominated the community in the production water samples. This study demonstrates the diversity of the TRB and SRB that play a critical role in the souring mediated corrosion of the oil–water separation tanks in the north-eastern India oil fields.