Which corrosion mechanism accelerated failure of early Mesopotamian bronze agricultural tools in alkaline soil?

💡 Explanation

When immersed in alkaline soil, tin in bronze undergoes electrochemical oxidation because alkaline environments promote Sn to Sn2+ conversion, compromising the alloy's structural integrity. Therefore selective oxidation of tin dominates, rather than leaching, abrasion, or embrittlement which require acidic or reducing conditions.

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