Barnacles on Anode

[VicS]

I am think along the lines that at the cathode, the protected surface, the pH will be raised a little and the concentrations of cations, including the calcium used for shell building, will be greater. May be relevant, may not be.

 

[bob26]

I am think along the lines that at the cathode, the protected surface, the pH will be raised a little and the concentrations of cations, including the calcium used for shell building, will be greater. May be relevant, may not be.

On overprotected metal the alkalinity can be enough to saponify (turn into soap?) the resins of paint according to MG Duff. It is known that barnacles, when they change from the free-swimming larval form to the permanently glued on stage, do congregate for reproductive purposes in response to chemical stimuli. A proliferation of barnacles in one colony is the result of lots of individual larvae gathering there. Its not that a couple get together, set up home and have lots of little barnacles...their life cycle isn't like that. So there may well be something in your theory Vic.

 

[bob26]

The photos here are interesting in this regard....

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234483&highlight=Ian_edwards

Particularly in relation to:
- the anode changes before and after
- what look like calcareous deposits
- the fact his paint bubbled