Journal
BIOFOULING
Volume 37, Issue 4, Pages 433-451Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2021.1928091
Keywords
biofouling; marine renewable energy; settlement panels; wave; tidal; ocean energy
Funding
- Natural Environment Research Council [NE/R006954/1]
- Natural Environment Research Council [NE/R006954/1] Funding Source: researchfish
- NERC [NE/R006954/1] Funding Source: UKRI
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A novel system was developed to monitor biofouling growth and evaluate antifouling coatings at depths representative of operational conditions of full-scale marine renewable energy devices. Results showed differences in biofouling species and quantities under different conditions, providing guidance for managing biofouling impacts in this sector.
A novel system was developed to deploy settlement panels to monitor biofouling growth in situ and evaluate antifouling coatings at depths representative of operational conditions of full-scale marine renewable energy devices. Biofouling loading, species diversity, and succession were assessed at depths ranging from 25-40 m at four tests sites in Orkney (UK) featuring extreme wave and tidal current exposure to more sheltered conditions. Evaluations were carried out over a period of 8 months with intermediate retrieval of samples after 3 months. Early pioneer fouling communities, comprised of colonial hydroids, were succeeded by tube-forming amphipods across sites while solitary tunicates dominated in greater shelter. The highest biofouling loading was observed on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) panels (6.17 kg m(-2)) compared with coated steel (3.34 kg m(-2)) panels after 8 months. Distinct assemblages were present at exposed vs sheltered sites. Better understanding of fouling and antifouling strategies may provide guidance to more effectively manage biofouling impacts in this sector.
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