Abstract
In the UK, some of the oldest oil and gas installations have been in the water for over 40 years and have considerable colonisation by marine organisms, which may lead to both industry challenges and/or potential biodiversity benefits (e.g., artificial reefs). The project objective was to test the use of an automated image analysis software (CoralNet) on images of marine biofouling from offshore platforms on the UK continental shelf, with the aim of (i) training the software to identify the main marine biofouling organisms on UK platforms; (ii) testing the software performance on 3 platforms under 3 different analysis criteria (methods A–C); (iii) calculating the percentage cover of marine biofouling organisms and (iv) providing recommendations to industry. Following software training with 857 images, and testing of three platforms, results showed that diversity of the three platforms ranged from low (in the central North Sea) to moderate (in the northern North Sea). The two central North Sea platforms were dominated by the plumose anemone Metridium dianthus; and the northern North Sea platform showed less obvious species domination. Three different analysis criteria were created, where the method of selection of points, number of points assessed and confidence level thresholds (CT) varied: (method A) random selection of 20 points with CT 80%, (method B) stratified random of 50 points with CT of 90% and (method C) a grid approach of 100 points with CT of 90%. Performed across the three platforms, the results showed that there were no significant differences across the majority of species and comparison pairs. No significant difference (across all species) was noted between confirmed annotations methods (A, B and C). It was considered that the software performed well for the classification of the main fouling species in the North Sea. Overall, the study showed that the use of automated image analysis software may enable a more efficient and consistent approach to marine biofouling analysis on offshore structures; enabling the collection of environmental data for decommissioning and other operational industries.
Highlights
Permanent offshore structures may form artificial reefs, which provide attachment and settlement sites for marine organisms
This study presents a method for the automated analysis of marine biofouling on offshore platforms; and is, as far as the authors are aware, the first attempt at using such analysis methods on these types of offshore structures and using industry collected data
This study has shown that the use of automated image analysis software may enable a more efficient and consistent approach to marine biofouling analysis on offshore structures; enabling the collection of environmental data for decommissioning and for other operational industries
Summary
Permanent offshore structures may form artificial reefs, which provide attachment and settlement sites for marine organisms (defined as marine biofouling). In the UK, some of the oldest oil and gas installations have been in the water for over 40 years and have undergone considerable colonisation by marine biofouling organisms. Marine biofouling organisms in the UK generally include algae, soft corals and mussels in the photic zone as well as anemones, hydroids, tubeworms, barnacles and cold-water corals on the deeper sections of the platforms [1]. Document for Lophelia Pertusa Reefs; OSAPR Commission Biodiversity Series; OSPAR Commission: London, UK, 2009. Assessment of Construction or Placement of Artificial Reefs; Biodiversity Series; OSPAR Commission: London, UK, 2009. Available online: http://ec. europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/docs/Int_Manual_EU28.pdf (accessed on 20 November 2017)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
