Shipping has contributed strongly to biological invasions in coastal ecosystems, transferring species in ballast tanks and on exposed underwater surfaces (hulls). A long history exists that documents biota associated with ships’ hulls, including some recent analyses of modern ships, but relatively little is known about the associated risks of invasion. In general, the likelihood of invasion is ...

Membrane processes such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis have been popular subject for researchers interested in water filtration system. One of the main problems with such membrane system is biofouling, which is caused by deposition or growth of microorganisms on membrane surface. One solution to this problem, as it has been used for many years now, is ch...

As more and more structural materials are used in marine and offshore service, studies on the effects of fouling organisms on corrosion and cathodic protection phenomena have gained renewed importance. This communication describes the common fouling organisms of Tuticorin harbour and their possible association in corrosion processes. Earlier studies on fouling in Tuticorin waters are restricted...

Despite the low biodegradability of seawater NOM, problems associated with biofouling are common in facilities that handle seawater. In this work, a fixed-film aerobic biofilter is proposed as an effective unit for preventing biofouling in such facilities. A packed-bed biofilter with an EBCT = 6 11 min was employed. The results demonstrated that the DOC is reduced by 6% and the BOD7 is reduced ...

Surface exploration is a key step in the colonization of surfaces by sessile marine biofoulers. As many biofouling organisms can delay settlement until a suitable surface is encountered, colonization can comprise surface exploration and intermittent swimming. As such, the process is best followed in three dimensions. Here we present a low-cost transportable stereoscopic system consisting of two...

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been applied to non-invasively elucidate several aspects of bio-fouling of nano-filtration and reverse osmosis membranes (ROMs) modules as a function of fouling time. These include the spatial distribution of biomass accumulation and its effect on system hydrodynamics, the effect on these parameters of ROM cleaning protocols and the detailed validation of 3D...

The article proposes the use of the mechatronic surface sensor (MSS) to detect surface contamination. This methodology is based on the analysis of the vibration response of the monitored surface. In the present work a comparison between the responses of the MSS to different structural deposits build-up (Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm--formed under turbulent and laminar flow and a silica deposi...

Root caries prevention has been a challenge for clinicians due to its special anatomical location, which favors the accumulation of dental plaque. Researchers are looking for anti-biofouling material to inhibit bacterial growth on exposed root surfaces. This study aimed to develop polydopamine-induced-polyethylene glycol (PEG) and to study its anti-biofouling effect against a multi-species cari...

Biofouling causes huge economic loss and generates serious ecological issues worldwide. Marine coatings incorporated with antifouling (AF) compounds are the most common practices to prevent biofouling. With a ban of organotins and an increase in the restrictions regarding the use of other AF alternatives, exploring effective and environmentally friendly AF compounds has become an urgent demand ...