Zoology Edition

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Fouling Organisms
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Members of the fouling community

• Algae
• Mollusca -- Mussels
• Arthropoda -- Barnacles
• All the invertebrate groups and the tunicata.

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Prevention of fouling

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

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