Not much sole!

[RLWP]

That's because it is primarily adapted to break down iron compounds (especially ferrous sulfide) rather than refined iron ... "Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is the most common type of bacteria in mine waste piles. This organism is acidophilic (acid loving), and increases the rate of pyrite oxidation in mine tailings piles and coal deposits. It oxidies iron and inorganic sulfur compounds. The oxidation process can be harmful, as it produces sulfuric acid, which is a major pollutant. However, it can also be beneficial in recovering materials such as copper and uranium. " (from Microbe-wiki)

 

Given that its preferred pH is 1.5 to 2.5, and it prefers temperatures of 45-50C as well, it is unlikely to ever thrive in most freshwater habitats !

 

You see, my problem is that I would feel very presumptuous to say that the surveyor is talking bollocks

 

Richard

[richardf]

I would love to know how the surveyor managed to identify this - as it seems to be a bacteria. Did he grow a culture of it?

[Timleech]

I did much the same Googling and came to much the same conclusion. Not a single instance of a report of steel being eaten by bugs.

 

Tony

 

Maybe someone has been trying to impress by blinding with (apparent) science?

If not and it's a real problem, I'm interested to know more.

 

Tim

[Proper Job]

Are we now going to have to chuck our GI's away and buy BI's (Biological Isolater) instead?

 

Or maybe a BI (Bull#hit Identifier)

[RLWP]

<snip>

If not and it's a real problem, I'm interested to know more.

 

Tim

 

So would I, which is why I went googling for this as a problem

 

Richard

[Grace and Favour]

I suggest the OP gets a second opinion (from a reputable surveyor), before she starts painting her boat with biocides and any other strange mixtures prior to blacking . . .

 

Because it's always possible that such materials may not help the adhesion of blacking, and merely create another problem . . ..

 

Does the boat have fitted sacrificial anodes?

[soldthehouse]

I suggest the OP gets a second opinion (from a reputable surveyor), before she starts painting her boat with biocides and any other strange mixtures prior to blacking . . .

 

Because it's always possible that such materials may not help the adhesion of blacking, and merely create another problem . . ..

 

Does the boat have fitted sacrificial anodes?

I know this is probably the work of the devil but sacrificing an ode seems drastic.

[Grace and Favour]

I know this is probably the work of the devil but sacrificing an ode seems drastic.

 

Ah - but if one sacrifices the first ode, then it saves sacrificing anoder ode later

[WotEver]

I know this is probably the work of the devil but sacrificing an ode seems drastic.

Now also it is fitting to sacrifice to Faunus in the shady groves, whether he demands a lamb, or whether he prefers a kid goat.

 

Horace, Odes 1.4.11-12

 

Tony

[soldthehouse]

Now also it is fitting to sacrifice to Faunus in the shady groves, whether he demands a lamb, or whether he prefers a kid goat.

 

Horace, Odes 1.4.11-12

 

Tony

Not a vegetarian then Just spotted the 5th horseman of the apocalypse in the viewing topic bit yikes we are all doomed

Edited August 6, 2010 by soldthehouse

[JohnO]

Not a vegetarian then Just spotted the 5th horseman of the apocalypse in the viewing topic bit yikes we are all doomed

He is alright it's the other four i'd worry about.

Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, well I never. I'm speechless

[5thHorseman]

Not a vegetarian then Just spotted the 5th horseman of the apocalypse in the viewing topic bit yikes we are all doomed

 

Well what a coincidence, my horse is called Theo.

(short for Thiobacillus ferrooxidans)

 

and produces horse***t

 

5th

[RLWP]

Well what a coincidence, my horse is called Theo.

(short for Thiobacillus ferrooxidans)

 

and produces horse***t

 

5th

 

Is it an iron horse?

 

[Nickhlx]

Is it an iron horse?

 

 

 

 

 

That's a mighty fine steed !!

 

Nick

[WotEver]

That's a mighty fine steed !!

 

Nick

But does it produce manure?

 

Tony

 

And how many valves does it have?

[parasal]

Maybe I best pop back when you`ve finished.........

 

[WotEver]

Maybe I best pop back when you`ve finished.........

 

Simply put, there's a healthy scepticism of your surveyor's opinion. It's been suggested that you obtain a second one.

 

Tony

[5thHorseman]

I am struggling with the idea that bacteria are going to chew 4mm deep pits in the sole plate of my boat.

Stranger things have happened, I suppose, but I am suprised that it has not been flagged up before.

In the 25 years or so that I have been involved in steel fabrications (all for outdoor use) I have never heard of anything of this nature

 

 

5th

[RLWP]

I am struggling with the idea that bacteria are going to chew 4mm deep pits in the sole plate of my boat.

Stranger things have happened, I suppose, but I am suprised that it has not been flagged up before.

In the 25 years or so that I have been involved in steel fabrications (all for outdoor use) I have never heard of anything of this nature

 

 

5th

 

Tawny Owl had some of those shiny pits in the hull when we first got her surveyed, about a third of the way from the stern as I remember it. The surveyor pointed them out as being erosion, which they were, but I don't remember him offering an explanation as to why they were like that. I think that's generally the case, you get these shiny pits in the hull in odd places, and there are so many variables that it makes it hard to explain exactly why.

 

Seems to me this particular surveyor has offered an explanation which is superficially plausible.

 

Richard

 

Simply put, there's a healthy scepticism of your surveyor's opinion. It's been suggested that you obtain a second one.

 

Tony

 

I'm not suggesting that at all, at least not for another two years. Surveyor says the hull is safe for that long, so go and enjoy your boat and see what the hull is like in two years time

 

Richard

[parasal]

Although there is no need to justify myself, this surveyor came highly recommended and has been involved in the business for many years, written books, lectured and trained many other well respected surveyors. I am not a complete numpty who would drag someone from the street to give me a very important survey on my hull- a hull that has been severly attacked by something that leaves the anodes intact.

[Tim Doran]

Although there is no need to justify myself, this surveyor came highly recommended and has been involved in the business for many years, written books, lectured and trained many other well respected surveyors. I am not a complete numpty who would drag someone from the street to give me a very important survey on my hull- a hull that has been severly attacked by something that leaves the anodes intact.

 

If you are facing £10k of spending then getting another survey is going to be like a drop in the _ocean canal.

 

Tim

[RLWP]

If you are facing £10k of spending then getting another survey is going to be like a drop in the _ocean canal.

 

Tim

 

But Parasal isn't facing a bill of £10,000 - or at least not this time anyway. The surveyor has passed the hull fit for another two years. Clearly I haven't seen the report but I guess that it will recommend that the hull is resurveyed at that point to decide what to do.

 

Richard

[Mick_B]

Interseting to hear you say the anodes are intact. seems to add a bit of credance. (did I spell that wright?)

[soldthehouse]

I am struggling with the idea that bacteria are going to chew 4mm deep pits in the sole plate of my boat.

Stranger things have happened, I suppose, but I am suprised that it has not been flagged up before.

In the 25 years or so that I have been involved in steel fabrications (all for outdoor use) I have never heard of anything of this nature

 

 

5th

I think the point is that their presence increases the oxygen level thus increasing corrosion, at least thats what ive assumed

 

Interseting to hear you say the anodes are intact. seems to add a bit of credance. (did I spell that wright?)

noe

[RLWP]

I think the point is that their presence increases the oxygen level thus increasing corrosion, at least thats what ive assumed

 

 

noe

 

The bacteria referred to by the OP appear to actually remove metals from ores. The mechanism you are describing is more credible, but would refer to a different organism

 

Richard