Speaker
Description
Microbial-induced corrosion (MIC) and biodegradation in marine environments are driven by complex microbial consortia whose metabolic activity controls chemical transformations at material surfaces. In this presentation, we present a mathematical framework describing the interaction among microbial functional groups and their role in degradation processes. The model is applied to the biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in deep-sea conditions, accounting for microbial attachment, biofilm formation, enzyme secretion, polymer breakdown, and uptake of soluble compounds.
The system is formulated as a set of nonlinear differential equations, combining hyperbolic equations for microbial populations, parabolic equations for enzymes and degradation products, and an ordinary equation for biofilm thickness. To capture spatial effects, a one-dimensional two-layer diffusion model with double free boundaries is introduced, describing the interaction between biofilm growth and corrosion layer formation.
Numerical simulations highlight the key role of microbial metabolism in regulating degradation rates and shaping microbial community dynamics. The results provide insights into MIC mechanisms and offer a predictive tool for assessing bioplastic fate in marine environments.
