Assessment of Corrosion of Mild Steel Buried In Soils of the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

This study determines the corrosion rate and percent weight loss of mild steel buried in soils of the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. Six geologic zones representing the upland and wetland soils were used for the assessment. The corrosion rates of mild steel in these soils were monitored to assess the extent of corrosion. However, the upland soils (Odagwa, Ogoni, Ahoada and Omoku) were more resistant to corrosion than the wetland (Kaiama and Elebele) soils. The corrosion rate of mild steel at the 24^th month was in the following order of corrosivity: Elebele > Kaiama > Omoku > Ahoada > Ogoni > Odagwa. The percent weight loss was higher at the 24^th month, with the highest values found at the Meander Belt Deposits of Elebele.  Alternately, the Coastal Plain Sands were found to have the least percent weight loss with the lowest value recorded at Odagwa site at the 24^th month. The percent weight loss at the 24^th month is in the following order: Elebele > Omoku > Kaiama > Ahoada > Ogoni > Odagwa. The variation in corrosion rate and weight loss of mild steel buried in the different soil types is caused by the aquic moisture regime of the soils, anthropogenic activities carried out, microorganisms present in the soils, and also, the physico-chemical properties of the soils.