Which temperature range is most likely to accelerate corrosion in marine environments?

The temperature range that is most likely to accelerate corrosion in marine environments is indeed greater than 25 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures can enhance several factors important for corrosion processes. For instance, increased temperature often leads to a higher rate of electrochemical reactions, which are fundamental to metal corrosion. In a marine environment, warmer temperatures can also increase the rate of microbial activity that contributes to localized corrosion, such as pitting or bio-corrosion.

Moreover, elevated temperatures can decrease the solubility of oxygen in water, potentially leading to oxygen depletion in localized areas, which may further complicate the corrosion process due to the varying access of oxygen to the metal surfaces. Additionally, warmer waters can promote the movement of corrosive ions, speeding up the overall corrosion reaction.

In contrast, lower temperature ranges generally slow down these electrochemical processes, thereby reducing the corrosion rate. The moderate temperatures of 10-15 degrees Celsius and even 15-25 degrees Celsius do not create the same level of activity or ion movement that higher temperatures do, making them less likely to accelerate corrosion when compared to the range above 25 degrees Celsius.