Methods include dosing the sea water with ferrous sulfate or dimethyldithiocarbamate, electrochemically removing the dissolved sulfide in a flow-through reactor, and cathodic protection. A potential-pH diagram for the copper/polluted sea water system is constructed to explain possible problems in using a potential controlled cathodic protection system. It is concluded that a potential controlled cathodic protection system, used in sea water that is occasionally polluted with sulfide must be operated at minus 0. 65 V(SHE) or below. The advantages of using a current controlled cathodic protection system is also discussed.