Anchor Chain Rust Steals Oxygen

The anchor chains of large ships rust so badly that their corrosion takes up a great deal of the oxygen in the enclosed chain locker in which they are stored. Iron forms rust when it reacts with oxygen, and damp, poorly ventilated conditions can slowly create a hypoxic atmosphere. A person entering could collapse after only a few breaths. Even just opening the hatch may not be enough to ventilate the space and make it safe.

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