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Rust and Bacteria

2004

Hey,

I'm doing a project on Rust. I put iron blades in two jars, one filled with tap water and one filled with pond water. Does anyone know anything about bacteria and what effect it has on Rust? Please get back to me.

Thank you!

Kelly S.
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

I'm doing the same project but I'm using soil instead of pond water for the bacetria. Can somebody please help us?

Karen S.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
2004

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Bacteria is like saying cars. which one? Ford Chevy Yugo etc. Most bacteria will neither inhibit nor promote rust. Is their one that does, I have never heard of one, but till a few years ago I had not heard of a bacteria that would convert hexavalent chrome to metallic chrome. So there might be one.

Climactic conditions will have more to do with rust than bacteria. Several fertilizers will promote rust, so how do you isolate that from bacteria in either the pond or the yard?

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2004

I did the same experiment and the bacteria did nothing the regular water with the nail rusted quicker.

Alex E.
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
2006