Great Lakes Accelerated Freshwater Harbor Corrosion
Steel sheet piling in the Duluth-Superior Harbor is corroding at an unusually accelerated rate. This rate of corrosion is similar to that commonly observed in saltwater ports, but not seen in freshwater environments. In addition, corrosion to this extent has not been documented in other Great Lakes ports and harbors. Based on observations of both older and new sheet pile installations, the increased rate of corrosion appears to have begun in the late 1970s.
Harbor corrosion documents
A history of the Duluth-Superior Harbor corrosion research is included in a number of reports, spreadsheets and other peer-reviewed articles.
Miscellaneous Articles
Miscellaneous Data
Project Reports
Duluth-Superior Harbor Freshwater Corrosion Update (ASCE Ports 2010), April 2010
Duluth-Superior Harbor Steel Structure Report – December 2008
Factors Contributing to Corrosion of Steel Pilings – November 2009
Final Report – Duluth Corrosion Investigation – January 2007
High Voltage Direct Current Interference Determination – December 2008
Structure of Bacterial Communities Associated with Accelerated Corrosive Loss – November 2007
Summary of Initial Workshop Findings – Freshwater Corrosion – Sept 2009