Biofouling and Its Prevention: A Comprehensive Overview.

Abstract

The process of the attachment and growth of organisms on artificial solid surfaces is called biofouling. Biofouling organisms commonly undergo successive changes before a stable community is established. Microfouling organisms composed of bacteria, microalgae, and protozoa together with their exudates constitute the biofilm. Microfouling leads to macrofouling, which is the growth of larger fouling organisms. This problem has been recognized from decades ago; however, a long lasting and environmentally friendly antifouling strategy still eludes us. Among the prevailing preventive strategies, antifouling coatings based on organometallic or inorganic toxic species are used to protect ships and offshore platforms, while components of cooling water systems are protected by injecting biocides into the water column. A comprehensive account of the evolution of the biofouling community, factors controlling its formation, expenses incurred, and common antifouling strategies followed with their merits and demerits are described in this review.

Antifouling and antibacterial activities of bioactive extracts from different organs of the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota

“…Marine biofouling refers to the gathering of unwanted microorganisms, algae, and animals on an artificial surface immersed in the seawater [1][2][3]. Marine organisms which cause the fouling are various and include many species from protozoa to vertebrates [3][4][5]. However, bacteria, diatoms, barnacles and macroalgae are some of the most important marine fouling organisms.…”

Anti-fouling activity and toxicity of the Mediterranean alien sponge Paraleucilla magna Klautau, Monteiro & Borojevic, 2004 (Porifera, Calcarea)

“…Based on the size, biofouling can be classified into microfouling, including bacteria and microalgae, and macrofouling, comprising macroalgae and sessile invertebrates ( Clare, 1996 ; Briand, 2009 ; Delauney, Compere & Lehaitre, 2010 ), these latter ascribed to over 4,000 species ( Yebra, Kiil & Dam-Johansen, 2004 ). Fouling communities are regulated by complex interactions between abiotic (temperature, conductivity, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, organic matter, hydrodynamics, light penetration and depth) and biotic (life cycle, reproduction time and strategy, larval lifespan, settlement, post-settlement competition and cooperation) factors ( Almeida, Diamantino & de Sousa, 2007 ; Delauney, Compere & Lehaitre, 2010 ; Nandakumar & Yano, 2003 ). Indeed, significant seasonal variations were recorded in fouling colonization patterns, mostly depending on factors such as temperature, seawater dynamics and depth ( Almeida, Diamantino & de Sousa, 2007 ; Whelan & Regan, 2006 ; Lezzi et al, 2018 ; Giangrande et al, 2020a ).…”

Pinturas antiincrustantes derivadas de plantas terrestres una solución segura para el ambiente en el control de la bioincrustación

“…La fijación y el crecimiento de organismos acuáticos en sustratos consolidados se conoce como bioincrustación (Nandakumar y Yano, 2003). El proceso de bioincrustación comienza con la adsorción de moléculas orgánicas en superficies sumergidas y la posterior colonización de especies bacterianas que producen una sustancia polimérica extracelular (SPE) para formar un biofilm (biopelícula) (Agostini, et al, 2018).…”