Effect of cathode protection on Desulfovibrio desulfuricans corrosion of X80 steel in a marine tidal environment

Abstract

The study systematically investigated the impact of zinc sacrificial anode (Zn-SA) cathode protection on the corrosion of X80 steel caused by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (D. desulfuricans) in a marine tidal environment. Utilizing weight-loss analysis, electrochemical measurements, Raman spectroscopy, and 3D morphology microscopy, the research unveiled significant findings. Unprotected steel suffered pronounced localized corrosion in the presence of D. desulfuricans in the marine tidal environment. However, the implementation of Zn-SA cathode protection notably reduced the activity of both planktonic and sessile D. desulfuricans cells. Over time, the accumulation of calcareous deposits within the corrosion products increased, as evidenced by a rise in the resistance of the corrosion produt film (R _f). Remarkably, Zn-SA cathode protection demonstrated substantial inhibition of the steel’s corrosion rate, albeit exhibiting reduced efficiency as the vertical height of the steel within the tidal environment increased.

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