Fouling Organisms

1. Fouling Organisms

2. Fouling Organism Several aquatic organisms cause damages to submerged surfaces. Marine sedantary organisms may affect piles, floats,wooden dry docks and boats. These organisms are called foulers. Most of these organisms are distributed all over the world through the agency of ships.

3. Fouling Organisms Fouling of ships results in increased resistance to movement through water, reducing the efficiency, lowering of speed, increasing fuel consumption and leading to wear and tear of engine. The efficiency of underwater sound equipments fitted on to commercial and naval vessels is also affected as result of the accumulation of fouling organisms. Pipes are used to convey salt water in ships, industrial plants, oil refineries, nuclear power plants and aquaria become clogged and the flow is interrupted by the growth of these organisms inside the pipe.

4. Factors influencing the settlement of fouling organisms. The formation of the primary film on the vessels. It is composed of diatoms and algae spores with a relatively small portion of bacteria. The thin filaments of algae may afford foothold on the substratum for the larvae to settle. The algae and diatoms serve as food for these larvae.

6. Members of the fouling community Algae Mollusca -- Mussels Arthropoda -- Barnacles All the invertebrate groups and the tunicata.

7. Prevention of fouling Using copper sheathing on wooden hulls of boats. Applying suitable antifouling paint. Chlorination in condenser system