A study of marine fouling ecosystems

Abstract

The aim of the project was the provision of information regarding the effect of various toxins on members of the fouling ecosystems. This was undertaken in two parts: A background survey to provide information for the main study, the latter consisting of experimental work. Part 1 - the Introduction - deals with fouling, importance and implications to the Shipping Companies and provides information on the costs and historical aspects of fouling among other things. Part 2 - the Surveys - provide information on the fouling patterns of ships both laid up and in service, as well as details of the distribution of fouling algae along the British Coast and their fouling systems, the results obtained are discussed in relation to the changes in fouling ecosystems observed with the changes in toxins used in antifoullng paints. The implications of this being discussed in Part 4. A summary of the findings is also included. Part 3 - the experimental work - provides supporting evidence for the changes observed in Part 2 as well as providing other information on the effect of the toxins used on the algae. The results obtained are discussed in relation to the general effect of the toxin; applications of the methods used into future research in marine fouling and possible methods of bioasaay. Part 4 - discusses the implications of the change over in the components of the fouling ecosystem. Explores the possibility of new lines of research into fouling based on the experiments undertaken and discusses the possible occurrence of resistance of algae to toxins being used as antifoulants. Standard experimental methods are given in the appendix, the remainder being included in the main text.