The electrical current which an anode discharges is controlled by Ohm's law; that is:
I=E/R
I= Current flow in amps
E= Difference in potential between the anode and cathode in volts
R= Total circuit resistance in ohms
Initially current will be high because the difference in potential between the anode and cathode are high, but as the potential difference decreases due to the effect of the current flow onto the cathode, current gradually decreases due to the polarization of the cathode. The circuit resistance includes both the water path and the metal path, including any cable in the circuit. The dominant value here is the resistance of the anode to the seawater.
E= Difference in potential between the anode and cathode in volts
R= Total circuit resistance in ohms
Initially current will be high because the difference in potential between the anode and cathode are high, but as the potential difference decreases due to the effect of the current flow onto the cathode, current gradually decreases due to the polarization of the cathode. The circuit resistance includes both the water path and the metal path, including any cable in the circuit. The dominant value here is the resistance of the anode to the seawater.
