Effect of state of sea on atmospheric corrosion in coastal zones

Abstract

Abstract Several studies in the literature have shown a considerable effect of wind on marine aerosol production and atmospheric corrosion when the wind speed exceeds some 3–5 m s-1. However, the current work has shown that the wind effect is not so clear at the Tarragona testing station, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, where marine winds are generally moderate. Apparently, factors other than marine wind speed at the coast exert a significant influence on the aerosol production. In addition to wind data, the study considers data on the state of the sea in the coast close to the Tarragona testing station obtained from records from an experimentation buoy. These latter data suggest a direct relationship between chloride aerosol deposition rate and the square of wave height. The effect of chloride deposition rate on atmospheric corrosion at the Tarragona testing station has also been studied. Using bimetallic ‘Climat’ type specimens a proportionality has been revealed between corrosion and atmospheric salinity.