Aquatic ecology and Biodiversity

Practical 16- Study of fouling and borrowing organisms

Experiment No. 16
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Befouling or biological fouling is the undesirable accumulation microorganisms, plants, algae, and/or animals on wetted structures. Fouling organisms are aquatic flora and fauna that attach to and grow upon hard objects below water. Biofouling is divided into microfouling — biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion — and macrofouling — attachment of larger organisms, of which the main culprits are barnacles, mussels, polychaete worms, bryozoans, and seaweed. Together, these organisms form a fouling community. Barnacles (a type of marine crustacean), encrusting bryozoans, mollusks, tube worms, and mussels create a type of fouling known as calcareous (hard) fouling, while organisms such as algae, slimes and hydroids make up non-calcareous (soft) fouling.
The fouling organisms encountered at the New Mangalore Port at Panambur and the Fish Landing Jetty on the Nethravati-Gurpur estuary near the old Mangalore Port, India, was Barnacles, oysters, bryozoans, polychaetes and hydroids. Barnacles are by far the most important foulers. Biofouling can reduce the performance of the vessel and increase its fuel requirements.
Fouling causes huge material and economic costs in maintenance of mariculture, shipping industries, naval vessels, and seawater pipelines. Anti-fouling is the process of removing the accumulation, or preventing its accumulation. In industrial processes, bio-dispersants can be used to control biofouling. In less controlled environments, anti-fouling coatings which contain biocides or non-toxic coatings which prevent organisms from attaching can be used.
Marine wood-borers destroy timber structures, Bankia campanellata, B. gracilis, B. rochi, Nausitora dunlopei, N. hedleyi, Nototeredo edax, Spathoteredo obtusa, Dicyathifer manni, Lyrodus pedicellatus, Teredo furcifera and Martesia striata. Of these, B. gracilis, is a new record from Indian waters, and S. obtusa is reported for the first time. Of the 25 species (i.e. 14 Teredinidae, 2 Pholadidae, 2 Sphaeromatidae and 7 Limnoriidae), so far reported in india. The occurrence and distribution of marine wood-borers along the west coast of India, from Mangalore to Kandia, showed 12 spp. of Teredinidae, 1 sp. of Pholadidae, 3 spp. of Sphaeromatidae and 1 sp. of Limnoriidae. Among these, the most destructive species are Bankia campanellata, B. rochi, Lyrodus pedicellatus, Dicyathifer manni, Teredo clappi, T. furcifera, Martesia striata and Sphaeroma terebrans. The destruction caused to timber constructions by these organisms was very severe and the problem is of great economic importance.
Collection of Foulers and Bores – Concrete walls, wood – Jetties, wharfs collect from a unit area by scrapping boats hull.
Identification of foulers and bores
Foulers (No./Unit area)

• Plants
• Spats of oyster, barnacles
• Worms
• Adult oyster and barnacles

Borers

• Teredo Sp.
• Marteria sp.
• Crustaceans

Assessment of damage and measurement

• Biological erosion
• Number of holes

Inference: