Importance of Duration, Duty-Cycling and Thresholds for the Implementation of Ultraviolet C in Marine Biofouling Control

The introduction of a surface into the marine environment begins process known as biofouling, which increases weight and hydrodynamic drag fouled structure. This is detrimental to maritime vessels costs industry ∼$150B in fuel maintenance spending annually. Preventing settlement fouling organisms mitigates these issues limits spread non-indigenous species (NIS). primarily achieved via antifouling paints. Ultraviolet light sterilization method used water purification, food storage packaging, within medical fields. C (UV-C) radiation interacts with DNA prevent growth, proliferation, survival bacteria, biofilm formation. Recent progress microelectronics technology has advanced range commercially available light-emitting diodes (LEDs) include UV wavelengths, reduced size cost allowed their integration previously inaccessible locales. study builds on recent integrating UV-C LEDs UV-lucent silicone tiles for control. operational cycle needed growth Navicula incerta cells was determined. Constant irradiance at peak 5.77 μW/cm 2 resulted significant reduction diatoms h, log 3 after 48 h 5 days, respectively. Duty cycling (pulsing) all variations from 50 2.5%, indicated reductions cell densities, lowest could effectively reduce biofouling increase longevity up 45.6 years. Irradiance exposure were altered over set duration restriction between 0.01–0.82 J/cm an increased mortality irradiances > 2.65 , suggesting effective threshold dosages. dosage 1 estimated be 25 but varied according delivery method. Effective experimental methods variable indicating that treatment N. departed Bunsen-Roscoe reciprocity law expectancy. variation densities similar dosages explained further investigation repair mechanisms. In conclusion, UV-B/C use irradiances, including low 0.01 holds considerable promise