The ghost of fouling communities past: the effect of original community on subsequent recruitment

Abstract

Biofouling on ships has been linked to the spread of invasive species, which has been identified as one of the current primary threats to the environment. Previous research on antifouling coatings suggested that the quantity of fouling, as well as community composition, on biocidal coatings was modified by prior fouling settlement. The experiment reported in this paper was designed to determine how preconditioning affected the rate and composition of subsequent fouling on transplanted silicone coatings. A series of 10 × 20 cm panels coated with Intersleek 700 or DC3140 were placed at three locations in Florida (Ponce Inlet, Sebastian Inlet, and Port of Miami), which were characterized by distinct fouling communities. Panels were immersed for four months, cleaned, and reciprocally transplanted among the three sites. Fouling community composition and coverage were characterized at bimonthly intervals both before and after transplantation. The original fouling community affected the subsequent fouling composition and recolonization by tunicates, sea anemones, barnacles, sponges, hydroids, and arborescent bryozoans. The community-level effects were short-term, lasting 2–4 months, but specific responses lasted up to 14 months post-transplant.

Keywords:

• ship hull
• cleaning
• invasive species
• fouling
• fouling-release

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Henry Pate at Batelle Florida Materials Research Facility and Rick Foster at NRL Key West for allowing access to their field sites at Ponce Inlet and the Port of Miami. The authors would also like to thank members of the Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control for assistance in the field and the laboratory. This research was made possible through generous funding provided by the Office of Naval Research and North Dakota State University.