The Use of In Situ Electrochemical Reduction of Oxygen in the Diminution of Adsorbed Bacteria on Metals in Seawater

An electrochemical study on the prevention of bacterial attachment in seawater has been carried out in contact with air. Two kinds of marine bacteria have been examined. The electrodes were tin oxide coated glass and titanium metal, in the potential range 0.2 to −0.6V (NHE). Applications of steady‐state potentials decrease bacterial concentration on cathode and anode by ca. 100–300 times. Potential, in the form of pulses was less effective. Current densities were 20–30 μA cm−2, and the cell potential was ca. 1.8V. Some differences in the results in seawater compared with those for a 3% solution have been explained in terms of the buffering activity of seawater. The effect of potential on bacteria arises because of the in situ electrochemical reduction of to and OH−. The contributions from the long range Van der Waals and coulombic forces in the anti‐fouling process are insignificant. The pH at the cathode surface is 9.5, which is within the borderline for the formation of and . No precipitates were detected over a 24 h period.