SRB - Sulfur Reducing Bacteria

Sulfur reducing bacteria are anaerobic microorganisms found in seawater, produced water from oil and gas wells, and sometimes in well water. These organisms originate from hydrothermal vents and are estimated to have existed on Earth for over 3 billion years. They are highly resistant due to their origins in extreme environments like black smokers, where water temperatures reach up to 500 degrees C. In industrial systems, SRB are problematic because they are anaerobic bacteria, meaning they do not require oxygen to exist and multiply, and they feed on sulfur. They cause microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) by reducing sulfur in steel structures and producing hydrogen sulfide or sulfuric acid, which weakens metal and causes pitting. SRB thrive in biofilm environments. Merus Rings help control SRB corrosion by removing biofilm, which reduces bacterial settlement and makes remaining organisms less dangerous as they flow away with the liquid.