RLWP Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardf Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timleech Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 <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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grace and Favour Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldthehouse Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grace and Favour Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldthehouse Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnO Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5thHorseman Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Well what a coincidence, my horse is called Theo. (short for Thiobacillus ferrooxidans) and produces horse***t 5th Is it an iron horse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickhlx Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Is it an iron horse? That's a mighty fine steed !! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 That's a mighty fine steed !! Nick But does it produce manure? Tony And how many valves does it have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parasal Posted August 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Maybe I best pop back when you`ve finished......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5thHorseman Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parasal Posted August 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Doran Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick_B Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Interseting to hear you say the anodes are intact. seems to add a bit of credance. (did I spell that wright?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldthehouse Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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