Barnacle Removal Research Articles

REMOVAL OF BARNACLES IN MARINE ENVIRONMENT, USING IMPRESSED CURRENT ANTI FOULING (ICAF) SYSTEM

FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) is an oil and gas transportation vessel, currently considered effective in the oil sector. However, the vessel possesses several limitations, including corrosion on the material steel. ICAF (Impressed Current Anti-Fouling) is a suitable preventive method for biological corrosion. The study of biofouling-causing macroalgae was performedona laboratory scale with a simple ICAF system, using the variables of operating time, as well as 10, 20 and 30 cm anode-cathode distances. Furthermore, physical observation was conducted to ascertain Barnacle removal, while the Cu ion concentration was determined using AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry). This study aimed to determine the removal of Barnacle macroalgae, using a simple Impressed Current Anti-Fouling system. According to the results, the highest removal of 100% was obtained at all anode-cathode distances used. However, the fastest removal was attained using a 10 cm anode-cathode distance and 9 A of electrical current. Meanwhile, the highest Cu ion concentration produced while operating the simple ICAF system was about 81.85 ±3.04 mg/l. Therefore, the Cu ions generated during the system’s operation were able to remove Barnacles from adhering media.

Polydimethylsiloxane Microdomains Formation at the Polythiourethane/Air Interface and Its Influence on Barnacle Release.

In this study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/polythiourethane (PTU) composite reinforced with tetrapodal shaped micro-nano ZnO particles (t-ZnO) was successfully produced by a versatile, industrially applicable polymer blending process. On the surface of this composite, PDMS is distributed in the form of microdomains embedded in a PTU matrix. The composite inherited not only good mechanical properties originating from PTU but also promising fouling-release (FR) properties due to the presence of PDMS on the surface. It was shown that the preferential segregation of PDMS domains at the polymer/air interface could be attributed to the difference in the surface free energy of PDMS and PTU. The PDMS microdomains at the PTU/air interface significantly reduced the barnacle adhesion strength on the composite. Both the pseudo- and natural barnacle adhesion strength on the composite was approximately 0.1 MPa, similar to that on pure PDMS. The pseudo-barnacle adhesion on reference surfaces AlMg3 and PTU reached approximately 4 and 6 MPa, respectively. Natural barnacles could not be removed intact from AlMg3 and PTU surfaces without breaking the shell, indicating that the adhesion strength was higher than the mechanical strength of a barnacle shell (approximately 0.4 MPa). The integrity of PDMS microdomains was maintained after 12 months of immersion in seawater and barnacle removal. No surface deteriorations were found. In short, the composite showed excellent potential as a long-term stable FR coating for marine applications.

Does wave exposure determine the interactive effects of losing key grazers and ecosystem engineers?

The consequences of biodiversity loss in the face of environmental change remain difficult to predict, given the complexity of interactions among species and the context-dependency of their functional roles within ecosystems. Predictions may be enhanced by studies testing how the interactive effects of species loss from different functional groups vary with important environmental drivers. On rocky shores, limpets and barnacles are recognised as key grazers and ecosystem engineers, respectively. Despite the large body of research examining the combined effects of limpet and barnacle removal, it is unclear how their relative importance varies according to wave exposure, which is a dominant force structuring intertidal communities. We tested the responses of algal communities to the removal of limpets and barnacles on three sheltered and three wave-exposed rocky shores on the north coast of Ireland. Limpet removal resulted in a relative increase in microalgal biomass on a single sheltered shore only, but led to the enhanced accumulation of ephemeral macroalgae on two sheltered shores and one exposed shore. On average, independently of wave exposure or shore, ephemeral macroalgae increased in response to limpet removal, but only when barnacles were removed. On two sheltered shores and one exposed shore, however, barnacles facilitated the establishment of fucoid macroalgae following limpet removal. Therefore, at the scale of this study, variability among individual shores was more important than wave exposure per se in determining the effect of limpet removal and its interaction with that of barnacles. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the interactive effects of losing key species from different functional groups may not vary predictably according to dominant environmental factors.

Trying to fit in: are patterns of orientation of a keystone grazer set by behavioural responses to ecosystem engineers or wave action?

The distribution of animals varies at different temporal and spatial scales. At the smallest scale, distribution may be orientated in regard to particular environmental variables or habitat features. For animals on the rocky intertidal, the processes which set and maintain patterns of distribution and abundance in wave-exposed areas are well studied, with explanatory models focused on wave action and, more recently, the role of biogenic habitats. In contrast, patterns of orientation by intertidal animals have received less attention, although having ecological and fitness consequences. Here, we report tests of competing models to explain the observation that limpets on steeply sloped surfaces orientate downwards. A greater proportion of downwards-facing limpets was found in sheltered sites and areas without barnacles and this pattern was consistent across many shores and sampling occasions. Additionally, the frequency at which limpets were dislodged after a storm was independent of orientation. To test whether orientation is a behavioural response to habitat-forming barnacles, barnacles were removed and/or killed from patches of substrata and the change in proportion of downwards-facing limpets measured. The proportion increased with barnacle removal and this behaviour was a response to the structure of the barnacles, not a biotic effect associated with the living organism. Our study suggests that biogenic habitat not wave action sets patterns of limpet orientation and barnacle shells, regardless of whether the barnacle is alive or not, limit the ability of limpets to adopt a downward orientation.

Establishment and persistence of species-rich patches in a species-poor landscape: role of a structure-forming subtidal barnacle

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 380:187-198 (2009) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07905 Establishment and persistence of species-rich patches in a species-poor landscape: role of a structure-forming subtidal barnacle A. R. Davis*, D. W. Ward Institute for Conservation Biology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia *Email: adavis@uow.edu.au ABSTRACT: Some sessile invertebrates are capable of maintaining space in barren habitats produced by sea urchins, thereby creating species-rich patches in a species-poor landscape. We sought to determine the role of a large and common barnacle, Austrobalanus imperator, in the establishment and persistence of these species-rich patches. Barnacle density was modified in 2 experiments at sites in southeastern Australia. The first experiment concerned community establishment and involved the addition of barnacles in 4 densities (zero [control], low, medium and high) to plots on vertical rock surfaces. The addition of barnacles at ecologically realistic densities and spatial arrangements rapidly resulted in statistically significant increases in invertebrate cover and diversity. After 56 mo, the diversity of invertebrates was significantly higher on plots that received high densities of barnacles relative to controls. However, invertebrate cover no longer differed between treatment plots, despite evidence that barnacles modify the grazing intensity of sea urchins. The second experiment assessed the persistence of sessile invertebrates following the removal of barnacles from well-established assemblages dominated by sponges. The removal of barnacles did not hinder the rapid recovery of sponges to pre-manipulation levels, indicating that barnacles played an inconsequential role in well-established assemblages. We conclude that barnacles play an important functional role in this system, as they promote the recruitment of sessile invertebrates. It was also clear that the development of invertebrate assemblages on natural vertical surfaces was very slow, which raises the question of whether we are examining these important occupiers of space at appropriate temporal and spatial scales. KEY WORDS: Cirripedia · Echinoidea · Grazing activity · Habitat structure · Porifera · Sessile invertebrates · Structural heterogeneity · Rocky subtidal zone Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Davis AR, Ward DW (2009) Establishment and persistence of species-rich patches in a species-poor landscape: role of a structure-forming subtidal barnacle. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 380:187-198. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07905 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 380. Online publication date: April 07, 2009 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2009 Inter-Research.

UV‐curable, oxetane‐toughened epoxy‐siloxane coatings for marine fouling‐release coating applications

AbstractBACKGROUND: UV‐curable coatings are promising candidates for environmentally friendly marine fouling‐release coatings. Cationic UV‐curable epoxy‐siloxane release coatings show good release performance but suffer from poor coating mechanical properties. A difunctional oxetane monomer, DOX, was co‐photopolymerized with an epoxy‐siloxane oligomer at loading levels from 10 to 40 wt% to obtain toughened fouling‐release coatings.RESULTS: The DOX‐toughened coatings showed enhanced cationic photopolymerization activity, solvent resistance and modulus. DOX‐toughened coatings (10 and 20 wt%) exhibited higher impact resistance. The DOX‐toughened coatings showed no leachate toxicity and the coatings were hydrophobic and non‐toxic to biofilm growth when analyzed with marine bacteria and algae. In general, 10 and 20 wt% DOX‐toughened coatings exhibited better marine bacteria and algae fouling‐release performance among the DOX‐toughened coatings. Pseudo‐barnacle shear release stress for the DOX‐toughened coatings increased with increasing DOX content. Live barnacle reattachment assay showed that 10 and 20 wt% DOX‐toughened coatings had comparable barnacle removal stress to commercial silicone reference coatings.CONCLUSIONS: DOX‐toughened (10 and 20 wt%) UV‐curable epoxy‐siloxane coatings exhibited enhanced mechanical properties and better overall marine fouling‐release performance among the toughened UV‐curable release coatings studied. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

Factors that influence elastomeric coating performance: the effect of coating thickness on basal plate morphology, growth and critical removal stress of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite

Silicone coatings are currently the most effective non-toxic fouling release surfaces. Understanding the mechanisms that contribute to the performance of silicone coatings is necessary to further improve their design. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of coating thickness on basal plate morphology, growth, and critical removal stress of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. Barnacles were grown on silicone coatings of three thicknesses (0.2, 0.5 and 2 mm). Atypical (“cupped”) basal plate morphology was observed on all surfaces, although there was no relationship between coating thickness and i) the proportion of individuals with the atypical morphology, or ii) the growth rate of individuals. Critical removal stress was inversely proportional to coating thickness. Furthermore, individuals with atypical basal plate morphology had a significantly lower critical removal stress than individuals with the typical (“flat”) morphology. The data demonstrate that coating thickness is a fundamental factor governing removal of barnacles from silicone coatings.

Isolated and combined impacts of blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis) and barnacles ( Balanus improvisus) on structure and diversity of a fouling community

Effects of two presumably dominant competitors, the blue mussel Mytilus edulis and the barnacle Balanus improvisus on recruitment, population dynamics and community structure on hard substrata were experimentally investigated in the subtidal Kiel Fjord, Western Baltic. The hypothesis that blue mussels and/or barnacles are local dominants and strongly influence succession and community structure was tested by monitoring succession in the presence and absence of simulated predation on either or both species. Manipulations included blue mussel removal, barnacle removal, combined blue mussel and barnacle removal, as well as a control treatment for natural (non-manipulated) succession. In the second part of the experiment, recovery from the treatments was monitored over 1 year. During the manipulative phase of the experiment, blue mussels had a negative effect on recruitment of species, whereas barnacles had no significant effect. Even so, a negative synergistic effect of blue mussels and barnacles was detected. Calculation of species richness and diversity H′ (Shannon Index) showed a negative synergistic effect of blue mussels and barnacles on community structure. Additionally, diversity H′ was negatively affected by the dominant competitor M. edulis. These effects were also detectable in the ANOSIM-Analysis. The non-manipulative phase of the experiment brought about a drastic loss of diversity and species richness. Blue mussels dominated all four communities. Barnacles were the only other species still being able to coexist with mussels. Effects of simulated predation disappeared fast. Thus, in the absence of predation on blue mussels, M. edulis within a few months dominates available space, and diversity of the benthic community is low. In contrast, when mussel dominance is controlled by specific predators, more species may persist and diversity remains high.

Effects of barnacle encrustation on the swimming behaviour, energetics, morphometry, and drag coefficient of the scallop Chlamys hastata

Barnacle encrustation negatively influenced every aspect of swimming in the scallop Chlamys hastata measured in this study. Scallops swam significantly longer, travelled further and attained greater elevation once epibiotic barnacles had been removed. Shell morphometry of barnacle-encrusted scallops was similar to shells of unencrusted scallops. Specifically, shell length was positively allometric with shell height and shell mass was negatively allometric. However, adductor muscle mass scaled isometrically to shell height, in contrast to unencrusted scallops. In the laboratory, the drag coefficient (Cd) of barnacle-encrusted scallops decreased after barnacle removal, in contrast to sponge-encrusted scallops in which no decrease in Cd was detected when the sponge was removed from the scallop's valves. Furthermore, scallops swimming with barnacle encrustation required more energy than did unencrusted scallops. Although there was no significant difference in aerobic energy expenditure between swimming barnacle-encrusted and unencrusted scallops, differences in anaerobic energy expenditure were detected. Specifically, barnacle-encrusted scallops required more arginine phosphate than unencrusted scallops to swim to exhaustion although octopine levels were similar. Thus, barnacle encrustation dramatically decreased a scallop's ability to swim, partly by increasing the drag coefficient experienced by the scallop and the energy required for swimming.

4461652 Barnacle removal process and product

4461652 Barnacle removal process and product

Ease of removal of barnacles from various polymeric materials

The forces required to remove living, fully attached barnacles from the surface of a number of polymeric solids were measured. The forces were related to the surface energy components of the materials. The results indicate a positive correlation between polymer surface energy and force required for barnacle removal. The nonpolar component of the surface energy was more closely related to the removal force than the polar component, although the polar component is significant. Adherence to some composite materials was greater than was consistent with the correlation for noncomposites.

The Influence of Barnacle Cover on the Numbers, Growth and Behaviour of Patella Vulgata on a Vertical Pier

The effects of experimentally manipulated barnacle cover on the population size, mortality and growth of Patela vulgata L. were investigated on a vertical, barnaclecovered pier at Port Erin in the Isle of Man. One area was left untouched as a control, half of the barnacles on a second were scraped off in a chequered pattern, and on the third the barnacle cover was reduced to less than 2 °0. Subsequent growth rates were inversely proportional to barnacle cover. Mortality was highest on the control. Recruitment of limpets was markedly enhanced by the mosaic of 50 % barnacle cover.Behaviour on this vertical face differed from that on nearby more gently sloping shores, with foraging during emersion being more prevalent: however, barnacle removal reduced this foraging when the tide was out. The foraging of Patella vulgata whilst emersed was similarly shown to be more prevalent on vertical than horizontal surfaces at other localities in Britain. Emersed foraging on the pier was dependent on high humidity. It is suggested that on vertical surfaces, particularly if barnacle-covered, P. vulgata are more dependent on foraging whilst emersed because of the greater risk of dislodgement by waves when feeding whilst the tide is in.

The Influence of Barnacle Cover on the Numbers, Growth and Behaviour of Patella Vulgata on a Vertical Pier

The effects of experimentally manipulated barnacle cover on the population size, mortality and growth of Patela vulgata L. were investigated on a vertical, barnaclecovered pier at Port Erin in the Isle of Man. One area was left untouched as a control, half of the barnacles on a second were scraped off in a chequered pattern, and on the third the barnacle cover was reduced to less than 2 °0. Subsequent growth rates were inversely proportional to barnacle cover. Mortality was highest on the control. Recruitment of limpets was markedly enhanced by the mosaic of 50 % barnacle cover.Behaviour on this vertical face differed from that on nearby more gently sloping shores, with foraging during emersion being more prevalent: however, barnacle removal reduced this foraging when the tide was out. The foraging of Patella vulgata whilst emersed was similarly shown to be more prevalent on vertical than horizontal surfaces at other localities in Britain. Emersed foraging on the pier was dependent on high humidity. It is suggested that on vertical surfaces, particularly if barnacle-covered, P. vulgata are more dependent on foraging whilst emersed because of the greater risk of dislodgement by waves when feeding whilst the tide is in.