The primary particulate contaminants of concern to the marine
engineers are biologicals, soot and rouge (iron oxide and related
compounds). Often their presence is interrelated as the presence of
one can cause or enhance the presence of the other. Examples include:
-
• A by-product of sulfate-reducing bacteria sometimes
found in bilge water is rouge (iron oxide and related compounds).
In septic conditions that can occur in tanks rouge can be up to 90%
of the weight of the total contamination.
• Soot can promote bacterial growth by providing a surface
for bacteria to multiply and can also become a food source. In turn,
rouge is often the by-product of bacterial contamination.
• Rust from machinery (iron oxide (rouge).