According to API RP 571, under the section "Corrosion in Aqueous Environments - Cooling Water Corrosion
", one of the key contributors to corrosion in carbon steel and other materials used in heat exchangers is the presence of dissolved oxygen. API RP 571 states:
"Oxygen is a primary contributor to corrosion in cooling water systems. Systems open to the atmosphere are typically more corrosive than closed systems due to the continual replenishment of oxygen."
"Corrosion rates are highest where oxygen concentration is the greatest, especially in systems using untreated or poorly treated water."
"Carbon steel corrodes in the presence of oxygen and water, forming corrosion products that may or may not adhere to the surface." (Reference: API RP 571, Section 4.3.1.1 - Cooling Water Corrosion) Therefore, increasing oxygen content directly increases corrosion activity in exchanger tubes, making option C the correct and documented answer.