An experimental test of stationary lay-up periods and simulated transit on biofouling accumulation and transfer on ships.

An experimental test of stationary lay-up periods and simulated transit on biofouling accumulation and transfer on ships. Biofouling. 2020 Jun 01;:1-12 Authors: Davidson IC, Smith G, Ashton GV, Ruiz GM, Scianni C Abstract Biofouling accumulation on ships' submerged surfaces typically occurs during stationary periods that render surfaces more susceptible to colonization than when underway. As a result, stationary periods longer than typical port residence times (hours to days), often referred to as lay-ups, can have deleterious effects on hull maintenance strategies, which aim to minimize biofouling impacts on ship operations and the likelihood of invasive species transfers. This experimental study tested the effects of different lay-up durations on the magnitude of biofouling, before and after exposure to flow, using fouling panels with three coating treatments (antifouling, foul-release, and controls), at two sites, and a portable field flume to simulate voyage sheer forces. Control panels subjected to extended stationary durations (28-, 45- and 60-days) had significantly higher biofouling cover and there was a 13- to 25-fold difference in biofouling accumulation between 10-days and 28-days of static immersion. Prior to flume exposure, the antifouling coating prevented biofouling accumulation almost entirely at one site and kept it below 20% at the other. Foul-release coatings also proved effective, especially after flume exposure, ...
Source: Biofouling - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Biofouling Source Type: research