The use of aeration as a simple and environmentally sound means to prevent biofouling

Abstract

Biofouling is a major problem faced by marine industries. Physical and chemical treatments are available to control fouling, but most are costly, time consuming or negatively affect the environment. The use of aeration (ie continuous streams of air bubbles) to prevent fouling was examined. Experiments were conducted at three sites with different benthic communities. Experimental panels (10 cm × 10 cm; PVC and concrete) were deployed with or without aeration. Aeration flowed continuously from spigots 0.5 m below the panels at a rate of ∼3.3 to 5.0 l min⁻¹. After 1 and 4 weeks, aerated PVC panels from all sites had significantly less fouling than non-aerated controls. Aeration reduced fouling on both the PVC and concrete surfaces. Fouling was reduced on panels directly in bubble streams while panels 30 cm and 5 m away had significantly more fouling. Thus, under the conditions used in this study, aeration appears to be an effective and simple way to prevent fouling.

Keywords:

• aeration
• antifouling
• biofouling
• bubbles
• settlement

Acknowledgements

Funds were provided by USDA SBIR award #2007-33610-17929 to C Davis, by a University of Hartford Vincent Coffin grant to S Bullard, and by the University of Hartford, Hillyer College. The authors thank R Karney and T Leggett for allowing them to deploy experiments at their sites. They also thank R Lucero and J Hamilton for help with this project.