Titanic, rusticles

Green, iron-rich structures called rusticles growing from the sunken hull of RMS Titanic are gradually destro5ung what remains of the ship. Rusticles contain colonies of metallophilic bacteria the structures are composed externally of lepidocrocite, y-Fe(0)0H, and internally of goethite, a-Fe(0)0H. The rate at which the bacteria are converting the ship s hull into rusticles is alarming and the phenomenon is a topic of current research. 

Sunken Ships Study of the sunken ocean Hner Titanic has opened the possibihty that deterioration of the steel hull might be partly due to the presence of rusticle communities. Research how the biological activity of rusticle communities results in the oxidation of iron. Write an essay that describes the role of rusticle communities in the destruction of the Titanic. 

In most environments, the chemical that is reduced is either dissolved oxygen or hydrogen ions in acids. In anaerobic conditions (no oxygen or air present), some bacteria (anaerobic bacteria) can thrive. These bacteria can provide the reducible chemicals that allow corrosion to occur. That is how the limited corrosion that was found on the hull of Titanic occurred. Figure 2.23 shows a rusticle removed from the hull of Titanic. This combination of rust and organic debris clearly shows the location of rivet holes and where two steel plates overlapped. 

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