Microbiological corrosion of concrete structures of hydraulic facilities

Some concrete and reinforced concrete structures are found to suffer from rapid corrosion, which reduces their life. Reduction of concrete strength characteristics, decline in pH, and changes in the chemical composition of concrete were related to the development of an association of heterotrophic and auto‐trophic bacteria, which transformed carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen compounds. The mechanism of concrete biocorrosion at high pH values is based on the degradation of hydrosilicates with the subsequent dissolution of the resultant amorphous silica and on the production of calcite.