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An analysis of variable dissolution rates of sacrificial zinc anodes: a case study of the Hamble estuary, UK

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Abstract

Sacrificial anodes are intrinsic to the protection of boats and marine structures by preventing the corrosion of metals higher up the galvanic scale through their preferential breakdown. The dissolution of anodes directly inputs component metals into local receiving waters, with variable rates of dissolution evident in coastal and estuarine environments. With recent changes to the Environmental Quality Standard (EQS), the load for zinc in estuaries such as the Hamble, UK, which has a large amount of recreational craft, now exceeds the zinc standard of 7.9 μg/l. A survey of boat owners determined corrosion rates and estimated zinc loading at between 6.95 and 7.11 t/year. The research confirms the variable anode corrosion within the Hamble and highlighted a lack of awareness of anode technology among boat owners. Monitoring and investigation discounted metal structures and subterranean power cables as being responsible for these variations but instead linked accelerated dissolution to marina power supplies and estuarine salinity variations.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the former Hamble Harbour Masters David Evans and Wendy Stowe for their guidance and help with this survey and everyone else at the Harbour Board who have assisted especially Andy Melhuish and Alison Fowler. Thanks also go to all the boat owners on the Hamble who took the time to fill out the survey and the marinas and harbour masters who sent out the survey to their berth holders. Thanks also goes to Holly Pearson for her help and guidance with the use of the Voltammeter. This project is funded by The International Zinc Association, Hamble Harbour Board and Solent Protection Society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Maritime Science and Engineering, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton, SO14 0YN, UK

    Aldous B. Rees, Anthony Gallagher & Laurence A. Wright

  2. School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering), Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK

    Sean Comber

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  1. Aldous B. Rees
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  2. Anthony Gallagher
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  3. Sean Comber
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  4. Laurence A. Wright
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Correspondence to Aldous B. Rees.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Rees, A.B., Gallagher, A., Comber, S. et al. An analysis of variable dissolution rates of sacrificial zinc anodes: a case study of the Hamble estuary, UK. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 21422–21433 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9762-2

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