Modelling and mapping of copper runoff for Europe

Abstract

A predictive runoff rate model for copper has been refined and used to generate copper runoff maps for Europe. The new model is based on laboratory and field runoff data and expresses the runoff rate R (g m(-2) yr(-1)) through two contributions, both with a physical meaning: R = (0.37SO(0.5)(2) = 0.96 rain10(-0.62 pH) (cos(theta)/cos(45 degree)). Input parameters are the SO(2) concentration (microg m(-3)), pH, amount of rain (mm yr(-1)), and surface angle of inclination (theta). The first contribution originates from dry periods between rain events (the first-flush effect) and the second from the rain events. The dry term has been refined in comparison to the original model by assuming a mass balance between measured corrosion mass loss, calculated copper retention in the patina and predicted copper runoff. The refined model predicts 76% of all reported runoff rates, worldwide, within 35% from their measured value. This includes sites with low SO(2) concentration, where the original model erroneously predicted higher runoff rates than corrosion rates. Based on environmental data from the EMEP programme for the years 1980-2000, the new model has been used to derive runoff rate maps for Europe with 50 x 50 km grid resolution. The runoff mapping shows a substantial reduction in runoff rate over the investigated time period, and with copper runoff rates now generally less than 2 g m(-2) yr(-1).

Corrosion Processes on Weathering Steel Bridges Influenced by Deposition of De-Icing Salts

“…The bridges on the D1 highway in Ostrava were designed based on corrosion maps, which mainly considered the concentration of SO 2 in the atmosphere as the main corrosion factor [11]. The SO 2 concentration in the air reached maximum in Central Europe in the 1970s [12,13]. At the time of design and construction of bridges on the D1 highway, these values were significantly lower, see Figure 2.…”

Probabilistic Prediction of Corrosion Damage of Steel Structures in the Vicinity of Roads

“…The concentration of SO 2 in the air reached its peak in the Czech Republic (similarly as elsewhere in Europe) in the seventies and eighties of the previous century. At that time, the air concentration of SO 2 in the Czech Republic reached up to 200 µg/m 3 [6,7]. A significant drop in the concentration of SO 2 was caused primarily by the introduction of desulfurizes in large industrial companies.…”

“…Basic environmental parameters affecting degradation processes notably include temperature, air humidity, precipitation and its pH, air pollution notably including the deposition of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and chlorides, dust particles, and others [6,7]. The degradation of the surfaces of steel structures is significantly influenced by two corrosion stimulators related to air pollution: the effects of sulfur dioxide and the depositing of chloride ions.…”

“…The corrosion aggressiveness of the atmospheres (the environment) is usually related to the value of expected corrosion losses. The effects of atmospheric corrosion can be described using a model that considers the environmental parameters that affect the corrosive behavior of metals in the following general form [6,14,15]:…”

Thin Benzotriazole Films for Inhibition of Carbon Steel Corrosion in Neutral Electrolytes

“…The methods for corrosion protection of metallic constructions exposed to atmospheric or underground environments are continuously developing. These technologies have to prevent the environmental hazards caused by contamination with corrosion products of metals as well as toxic reagents and hydrocarbons that have evolved into the external environment upon violation of the integrity of chemical equipment and pipelines due to corrosion (penetrating corrosion defects) [1][2][3][4]. The application of polymeric coatings and corrosion inhibitors is most efficient for the protection from corrosion [5].…”