This research project focused on exploring fundamental scientific issues that led to new knowledge, understanding and technology for the prediction, diagnosis and mitigation of fuel biodeterioration and biocorrosion problems impacting US Naval operations. The project explored to what extent the biocorrosion of carbon steel experienced in marine systems can be correlated with anaerobic fuel biodegradation, by addressing such hypotheses as:

A) fuel biodeterioration and metal biocorrosion are differentially associated with the development of sulfate-reducing and/or syntrophic hydrocarbon-degrading anaerobic biofilms;

B) biofuel formulations have the potential to exacerbate the baseline problem rate, depending on their susceptibility to biodegradation; and

C) fuel biodegradation problems can be monitored and interrupted at sensitive stages to prevent spoilage and control biocorrosion.

The University of Oklahoma, Colorado School of Mines, Oklahoma State University, and of course Montana State University all collaborated to test these hypotheses.

Group Photo of the MURI TeamGroup Photo of the MURI TeamGroup Photo of the MURI TeamDiscussion on critical properties of military fuelsGroup Photo of the MURI TeamGroup Photo of the MURI TeamGroup Photo of the MURI TeamGroup Photo of the MURI TeamGroup Photo of the MURI TeamGroup Photo of the MURI TeamDiscussion on Dominate Phylogenic Groups in the DeltaproteobacteriaDiscussion on MURI Hypotheses and technical approaches

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