"Describe the action of sulfate reducing bacteria around deep wrecks" (1 Viewer)

bEAbEA

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can anyone give me a simple answer to the dot point:

6.2.2
"Describe the action of sulfate reducing bacteria around deep wrecks"

ie how this contributes to the corrosion of ships at great depths.

Thankyou very very very much
 

Abtari

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sulfate reducing bacteria - do as their names say...

they reduce sulfates at the bottom of the ocean to form sulfides etc and in doing so, encourage the oxidation of iron or the metal of the ship hull.

so, basically even though there isn't much/any oxygen at such depths, to be reduced, the bacteria reduce the sulfates for energy...and thus at the same time corrode iron. the sea water acts as a medium for the migration of ions and electrons.............................................
 

PoppyJoy

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microbes feed off iron from the wreck forming icicle-shaped "rusticles" (35% iron, 65% bacteria, archaea and eucarya)
During this 'feeding' process reduce sulfates...
 

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