Sea-trial verification of a novel system for monitoring biofouling and testing anti-fouling coatings in highly energetic environments targeted by the marine renewable energy industry

• Published in: Biofouling (Chur, Switzerland) Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 433 - 451
• Main Authors: Want, Andrew, Bell, Michael C., Harris, Robert E., Hull, Mark Q., Long, Caitlin R., Porter, Joanne S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 01-07-2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Antifouling coatings; Antifouling substances; Aquatic crustaceans; Biofouling; Coatings; Environmental management; Evaluation; Extreme waves; Fouling; High density polyethylenes; Marine energy; Marine invertebrates; marine renewable energy; ocean energy; Panels; Polyethylene; Renewable energy; Renewable resources; Resource management; settlement panels; Species diversity; tidal; Tidal currents; wave
• ISSN: 0892-7014; 1029-2454
• DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2021.1928091

A novel system was developed to deploy settlement panels to monitor biofouling growth in situ and evaluate antifouling coatings at depths representative of operational conditions of full-scale marine renewable energy devices. Biofouling loading, species diversity, and succession were assessed at depths ranging from 25-40 m at four tests sites in Orkney (UK) featuring extreme wave and tidal current exposure to more sheltered conditions. Evaluations were carried out over a period of 8 months with intermediate retrieval of samples after 3 months. Early pioneer fouling communities, comprised of colonial hydroids, were succeeded by tube-forming amphipods across sites while solitary tunicates dominated in greater shelter. The highest biofouling loading was observed on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) panels (6.17 kg m
−2
) compared with coated steel (3.34 kg m
−2
) panels after 8 months. Distinct assemblages were present at exposed vs sheltered sites. Better understanding of fouling and antifouling strategies may provide guidance to more effectively manage biofouling impacts in this sector.