Which risk accelerated embrittlement when tin depletion occurs in an ancient bronze cannon exposed to seawater?

💡 Explanation

When tin depletes in bronze submerged in seawater, hydrogen embrittlement occurs because cathodic protection generates hydrogen which diffuses into vacancies weakening grain boundaries causing cracks to propagate. Therefore hydrogen-induced crack propagation results, rather than the alternatives, which involve other mechanisms/materials not directly related to tin depletion.

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