The study of the impact of microorganisms on bio-contamination and the alteration of the elemental chemical composition of basalt-plastic reinforcement under exposure in the conditions of the city of Yakutsk
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This work investigates the processes of biodeterioration of basalt-plastic reinforcement following provocative biocontamination with mold fungi and bacteria. An important role in studying the biodeterioration processes of reinforcement is devoted to the issues of the interaction between microorganisms and the material, as well as their influence on the durability of polymer composites. In the initial phase of the experiment, detailed studies were conducted, revealing the presence of microbial contamination on the surfaces of test samples even before the onset of provocative biocontamination. Approximately 75% of the isolated microorganisms were bacteria, while yeasts and actinobacteria were found in smaller quantities, and fungi were not detected. The primary species exhibiting growth on artificial nutrient media included the gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens, the gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as yeasts and actinobacteria. After disinfecting the reinforcement, a control test of the experimental samples for microbial purity was conducted. Subsequently, the reinforcement was subjected to provocative biocontamination, with the test samples being exposed in the open ecosystem of Yakutsk for a period of 12 months. The biocontamination was carried out using strains of Bacillus bacteria (B. atrophaeus) and mold fungi of the genus Aspergillus (A. niger), taken in equal proportions with a high cell concentration. These cultures were selected based on preliminary studies indicating their prevalence in the ecosystems of Yakutia and their ability to degrade organic matter. Using scanning electron microscopy, it was established that after biocontamination and exposure in the open ecosystem, the surfaces of the test samples formed growths, microcracks, and colonies of bacteria and fungal spores. The elemental composition of the formations confirmed the hypothesis regarding the significant role of microorganisms in the biodeterioration processes of basalt-plastic materials, which may indicate biochemical interactions with the material. The high levels of oxygen and sodium in the formed structures indicate the metabolic activity of microorganisms. Thus, the study confirms that microorganisms can influence the durability of basalt-plastic reinforcement. The obtained results open new avenues for further research in the field of materials science aimed at protection against biological corrosion and improving the properties of polymer composite materials. Contribution of the authors: the authors contributed equally to this article. The authors declare no conflicts of interests. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.
Language: English
Subfield: Earth-Surface Processes
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Tomsk State University
OpenAlex ID: W7213552196