Corrosion at Depths

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Predictions of slow corrosion at great depths were apparently incorrect

Students learn to:

• explain that ship wrecks at great depths are corroded by electrochemical reactions and by anaerobic bacteria
• describe the action of sulfate reducing bacteria around deep wrecks
• explain that acidic environments accelerate corrosion in non-passivating metals

Students:

• perform a first-hand investigation to compare and describe the rate of corrosion of metals in different acidic and neutral solutions

Extract from Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (Amended October 2002). © 2009, Board of Studies NSW.