In-situ radiotracer studies of sorption processes in solutions containing (bi)sulfite ions—II. Low carbon steel

Abstract In this paper, time, potential and pH dependence of SO42− and HSO3− accumulations measured by an in-situ radiotracer method on surface oxide layers of low carbon steel are presented and discussed. This work is a continuation of a research program[1–5] and deals with the characterization of the sorption behaviour of low carbon steel in solutions containing sulfate and bisulfite ions (as a possible model of acid rain). From the experimental results it can be stated that 1. (i) the presence of bisulfite ions in the solution phase accelerates the corrosion of low carbon steel; 2. (ii) at E > 0.40 V the electrooxidation of HSO3− ions presumably proceeds to yield a steel surface covered …