The aim of the present paper is to introduce the recently proposed method for cathodic
protection based on the use of energy stored at the marine sediment/seawater interface as a
power source. It is shown here that graphite electrodes buried in the seafloor can be used as
anodes for the cathodic protection of immersed structures. The participation of reduced sulfur
compounds and / or electrogenic bacteria in the energy generation is introduced. Experimental
results demonstrate the applicability of this method for the protection of stainless steel against
microbial corrosion.
Once installed, the proposed method should need minimal requirements for maintenance
with a very low cost and, most importantly, it would have significant environmental benefits since it
is based on an immense and renewable energy source that do not produce aggressive emissions
to the environment.