Metal in the vicinity of higher concentrations of oxygen will be more:

When considering the interaction of metals with oxygen concentrations, it is essential to understand the implications of oxygen in the environment surrounding the metal. The presence of higher concentrations of oxygen typically leads to more oxidation reactions. As the level of oxygen increases, this can influence the electrochemical behavior of the metal.

Metals in environments with high oxygen concentrations tend to form protective oxide layers. These layers can provide a barrier that protects the underlying metal from further oxidation and corrosion. This behavior categorizes the metal as more noble in such environments. Noble metals are less likely to oxidize or corrode when compared to more reactive metals. Therefore, when metals are in a higher concentration of oxygen, they exhibit qualities that make them more resistant to corrosion, aligning with the classification of being noble.

In contrast, if metals were reactive in high oxygen concentrations, they would corrode more readily rather than forming protective layers. Being electronegative typically refers to an atom's tendency to attract electrons, which doesn't directly describe the overall corrosion behavior related to oxygen concentrations. Similarly, corrosive properties are more about a material’s tendency to break down due to chemical reactions rather than indicating a protective or noble behavior in the presence of oxygen.

Thus, in the presence of higher concentrations of oxygen, metals are