Abstract
While the importance of calcareous deposits to the effectiveness and efficiency of marine cathodic protection is generally recognized, there has been relatively little research directed toward rationalizing the structure and properties of deposits and the role of influencial variables upon deposit formation. The present paper reviews those properties of sea water which are pertinent to occurrence of calcareous deposits and stresses how physical and chemical variations of sea water might be expected to alter the nature of these surface films. Previous research regarding deposits is critically reviewed, and it is projected that the chemistry and structure of these surface films should depend upon their nucleation and growth kinetics. These, in turn, should be determined by variables such as potential, current, time, pressure, temperature, sea water chemistry, velocity and substrate surface condition. It is concluded to be timely and appropriate that a more comprehensive research addressment of calcareous deposits be undertaken such that a better understanding of the interrelationship between conditions of formation, deposit structure and properties and effectiveness of cathodic protection might be realized.
