Cathodic protection

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-004374",
  "term": "Cathodic protection",
  "field": "Environment",
  "term_source": "Cathodic Protection",
  "definition": "1. (ca-THOD-ick) An electrical system for prevention of rust, corrosion, and pitting of metal surfaces which are in contact with water or soil. A low-voltage current is made to flow through a liquid (water) or a soil in contact with the metal in such a manner that the external electromotive force renders the metal structure cathodic. This concentrates corrosion on auxiliary anodic parts which are deliberately allowed to corrode instead of letting the structure corrode.\n\n2. Any one of several methods for protecting underground tanks and pipelines from corrosion. Corrosion results from an electric current which is caused by contact between metal surfaces, water, and the chemicals present in soils and water; cathodic protection counteracts this current.\n\n3. A technique to prevent corrosion of a metal surface by making it the cathode of an electrochemical cell.\n\n4. Technique to prevent corrosion of a metal surface by making that surface the cathode of an electrochemical cell. For example, a tank system can be cathodically protected through the application of either galvanic anodes or impressed current.",
  "subject": "Water",
  "references": [
    "Drinking Water Technical & Legal Terms",
    "Oil Pollution Prevention Glossary",
    "Terms of Environment",
    "40 CFR 280.12 (CFR 2018)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/cathodic-protection/"
}