Abstract
Rust layers found on shipwrecks after long term exposure to immersion or tidal conditions have characteristics that suggest that Fe ions were transported away from the corroding surface during the corrosion process and were deposited elsewhere. This is supported by observations of corroded steel and corrosion products recovered from very old steel shipwrecks. It is hypothesised that bacterial activity is involved in this process. Support for the hypothesis comes from well documented characteristics of iron related bacteria. These are reviewed and related to the movement of iron particles, ions and compounds. Reference is also made to the recently discovered magnetotactic bacteria and to the possible influence that these may have on iron migration.
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