What is biofouling in the marine environment?

‘Marine biofouling’, the undesired growth of marine organisms such as microorganisms, barnacles and seaweeds on submerged surfaces, is a global problem for maritime industries, with both economic and environmental penalties.

What do you mean by marine fouling?

Marine fouling occurs when organisms attach themselves to underwater objects like boats, rope, pipes and building structures. Paints and coatings are currently used to prevent marine fouling, but are frequently toxin-based and not very effective, with adverse environmental and economic impact.

What is vessel biofouling?

Vessel biofouling is the attachment of organisms to wetted areas of a ship or boat, usually below the waterline; this can include the hull, propeller, bilge keel, keel coolers, thruster, inlet gratings, anodes, sea chests etc.

How do you fix biofouling?

However, the impact of biofouling can be reduced by coating the instrument with established antifouling substances, or by using the more recently developed technique of applying a silicone coat or attaching adhesive stickers, making it difficult for organisms to adhere.

What is biofouling and give an example?

Biofouling or biological fouling is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals where it is not wanted on surfaces such as ship and submarine hulls, devices such as water inlets, pipework, grates, ponds, and rivers that cause degradation to the primary purpose of that item.

What is biofouling management plan?

The biofouling management plan is to be vessel-specific and is to provide a description of the biofouling management strategy for the vessel with sufficient details to allow the vessel’s Master, the designated ship’s officer, or crew members to understand and implement the biofouling management strategy.

Why is biofouling a problem?

Increased fuel use due to biofouling contributes to adverse environmental effects and is predicted to increase emissions of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide between 38 and 72 percent by 2020. Biofouling also impacts aquaculture, increasing production and management costs, while decreasing product value.

What problems does biofouling cause?

The main problems of biofouling on marine vessels are associated with the increased friction created as a result of the presence of the organism(s) on the vessel surface. This can lead to reductions in manoeuvrability, increased weight and reduced speed, all of which can result in increased fuel consumption and cost.

How does biofouling happen?

What causes biofouling?

Biofilm can be considered as a dense gel layer, and dissolved minerals tend to accumulate in this layer and increase concentration polarisation. • Biofouling causes flow losses due to constriction of the flow channel, increase roughness of the surface, and increase drag because of their viscoelastic properties.

Where does biofouling occur?

Biofouling typically occurs in the first membrane stages. Biofouling can be observed by following the flux and the salt rejection. In this case, the flux will decrease in the beginning, with increasing salt rejection (AEDyR, 2009). After this initial phase, salt rejection will also decrease.

Is biofouling management plan mandatory?

Biofouling management is not required by the BWM Convention, since it is not part of its scope, but biofouling can also be a significant contributor to the transfer of invasive aquatic species.