Thermal treatment as a method to control transfers of invasive biofouling species via vessel sea chests

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 64; no. 8; pp. 1620 - 1630
• Main Authors: Piola, Richard F., Hopkins, Grant A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2012
• Subjects: Animals; Aquatic Organisms - growth & development; Aquatic Organisms - physiology; biofouling; Biofouling - prevention & control; Biofouling - statistics & numerical data; Biological invasions; control methods; Crassostrea gigas; Elminius modestus; habitats; Heat treatment; Heating - methods; Hull fouling; Introduced Species - statistics & numerical data; invasive species; latitude; Marine; mortality; Niche areas; Non-indigenous species; oysters; remediation; seawater; Seawater - chemistry; Ships - methods; Ships - statistics & numerical data; temperature; Vector management; water pollution; Niche areas; Biological invasions; Heat treatment; Hull fouling; Vector management; Non-indigenous species
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.05.028

► Lab studies conducted to determine the thermal tolerance of common sea chest fouling taxa. ► Complete mortality achieved across all thermal treatments for vast majority of taxa. ► Field studies in a replica sea chest environment support laboratory findings. ► Provides baseline data for thermal treatment parameters to control sea chest fouling. ► Highlights engineering obstacles to be overcome to make this treatment method viable.
This study examined the efficacy of heated seawater for the treatment and remediation of fouled vessel sea chest habitats. In laboratory trials, three temperature regimes (37.5°C for 60min, 40°C for 30min and 42.5°C for 20min) were tested on a range of temperate taxa commonly found in sea chests. Field validation trials further assessed the efficacy of heat treatment within a replica sea chest environment. During laboratory trials, 100% mortality was achieved across all three treatments for the majority of taxa; the exceptions being the barnacle Elminius modestus and the oyster Crassostrea gigas. Temperature tolerance limits observed in the laboratory were successfully replicated under simulated sea chest conditions; however, a failure to achieve even heat distribution was an obstacle to achieving uniform mortality. This study provides guidance on the temperature/exposure parameters required for vessels plying temperate latitudes, and demonstrates that heated seawater has potential for controlling biofouling in vessel sea chests.