Metal-release potential from iron corrosion scales under stagnant and active flow, and varying water quality conditions

Abstract The release of potentially toxic metal ions from corrosion scales formed on pipe surfaces is of great concern for water quality in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS). This study examined the effects of alkalinity, chloride, and sulfate on metal release from corrosion scales sampled from a corroded iron pipe. Jar tests and recirculation pipe systems were used to investigate the metal-release potential during stagnant and active flow conditions. The experimental data show that both the ambient water chemistry and hydraulic conditions exerted complex influences on metal release from the exposed corrosion scales. Fe, Mn, and Ni were more labile to be released during a 132-h period of stagnation, while the release of Al, Zn, and Cu was an order of magnitude higher under flow conditions compared to stagnant conditions. Increasing concentrations of chloride (from 5 mg/L to 60 mg/L) and sulfate (from 20 mg/L to 100 mg/L) resulted in the increased release of Fe, Al, and Zn, especially under active flow conditions. This effect could be effectively mitigated by increasing alkalinity from 50 mg/L to 200 mg/L as CaCO3. While increasing alkalinity suppressed the release of Fe and stimulated the release of Al and Cu under stagnant conditions, this contradictory effect was not observed under active flow conditions.