Influence of hydrodynamic stress on the frictional drag of biofouling communities

Abstract

The role of hydrodynamic wall shear stresses on the development of the fouling community structure and resulting frictional drag were examined using a commercially available fouling release coating. Immersed test panels were exposed to three different hydrodynamic treatments, one static and two dynamic (corresponding to an estimated wall shear stress of 7.0 and 25.5 Pa). The drag of the panels was measured in a hydrodynamic test chamber at discrete time intervals over 35 days. The fouling community composition on the static panels was significantly different from the organisms observed on the dynamic panels. Despite different fouling community composition, the drag forces measured on the panels were very similar. This suggests that the frictional drag of low form and soft fouling communities are similar and that there may be a stepwise increase in frictional drag associated with the presence of mature calcareous organisms.