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Biofouling Problems

Anyone on a ship probably has seen a buildup of barnacles and other small organisms on the exterior. This is called biofouling and is more than just an aesthetic nuisance; it can cost industries a sizable portion of their production budgets. The problems of biofouling and its solutions usually have harmful, unintended consequences on the environment.

  1. Identification

    • The explanation of what constitutes biofouling is fairly simple: the buildup of organisms on surfaces interacting with water, usually naval vessels, according to Marianne Stanczak's "Biofouling: It's Not Just Barnacles Anymore" article on ProQuest. Solving biofouling problems can prove difficult due to the diversity of wildlife and types of naval ship surfaces.

    Types

    • The types of problems associated with biofouling are specific to the industries affected, but the most common problems are deterioration of surfaces, aerodynamic problems and clogging, according to Stanczak. In pipes, such as those in cooling systems, buildup can reduce the effectiveness of the cooling process. On ship hulls, biofouling problems include hull corroding and a rougher surface that reduces maneuverability and increases drag.

    Effects

    • The effects from biofouling increase the costs of operation, reduce product quality and even cause environment problems. At the very least, a buildup of organisms requires constant cleaning of hulls, pipes and anything else in contact with water. On ships, an increase in drag due to biofouling means less fuel efficiency and greater fuel costs. This sets off a chain of problems--fossil fuels give off carbon dioxide that contributes to the global warming public health concern.

    Significance

    • Biofouling is not a minor annoyance; the costs of its problems are a significant concern for companies. According to Stanczak, biofouling can increase fuel needs 30 percent, compounded further by the fact that 50 percent of naval shipping overhead is fuel. In pearl exploration, biofouling costs up to 80 percent of overhead.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Not many cheap solutions exist for biofouling problems and preventing biofouling requires advanced planning. Before building a vessel, piping or anything else that might come in contact with water, determine the type of biological organisms likely to exist in your environment and plan materials accordingly. Zebra mussels are a common problem, but they tend to shy away from aluminum-based objects. Tin-based coating is effective against biofoulers, but also kill unintended marine life. Scraping is one of the first, and still effective means to reduce biofouling.

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