• Best of luck to the class of 2024 for their HSC exams. You got this!
    Let us know your thoughts on the HSC exams here
  • YOU can help the next generation of students in the community!
    Share your trial papers and notes on our Notes & Resources page
MedVision ad

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

bEAbEA

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2005
Messages
257
Location
Snowy Mountains
Gender
Female
HSC
2005
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

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Messages
604
Gender
Male
HSC
2005
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

New Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
3
Gender
Female
HSC
2008
microbes feed off iron from the wreck forming icicle-shaped "rusticles" (35% iron, 65% bacteria, archaea and eucarya)
During this 'feeding' process reduce sulfates...
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top