Editing Biofouling (section)

{{Short description|Growth of marine organisms on surfaces}}
{{use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
[[File:Zebra mussel GLERL 4.jpg|thumb|Current measurement instrument encrusted with [[zebra mussel]]s]]
[[File:Gaine cable électrique Moyenne-Deûle à Lille 03.jpg|thumb|Plant organisms, bacteria and animals ([[freshwater sponge]]s) have covered (fouled) the sheath of an [[Submarine power cable|electric cable]] in a canal (Mid-[[Deûle]] in [[Lille]], north of France).]]

'''Biofouling''' or '''biological fouling''' is the accumulation of [[microorganism]]s, [[plant]]s, [[alga]]e, or small [[animal]]s where it is not wanted on surfaces such as ship and submarine hulls, devices such as water inlets, pipework, grates, ponds, and rivers that cause degradation to the primary purpose of that item. Such accumulation is referred to as ''[[epibiosis]]'' when the host surface is another organism and the relationship is not parasitic. Since biofouling can occur almost anywhere water is present, biofouling poses risks to a wide variety of objects such as boat hulls and equipment, medical devices and membranes, as well as to entire industries, such as paper manufacturing, [[food processing]], underwater construction, and desalination plants.

Anti-fouling is the ability of specifically designed materials (such as [[Anti-fouling paint|toxic biocide paints, or non-toxic paints]])<ref name="antifouling_review"/> to remove or prevent biofouling.<ref name=Vladkova/>

The buildup of biofouling on marine vessels poses a significant problem. In some instances, the hull structure and propulsion systems can be damaged.<ref name="Chambers">{{cite journal|author=L.D. Chambers|display-authors=et al|year=2006|title=Modern approaches to marine antifouling coatings|journal=Surface and Coatings Technology|volume=6|issue=4|pages=3642–3652|doi=10.1016/j.surfcoat.2006.08.129|url=https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/43767/1/our_anti-fouling.pdf}}</ref> The accumulation of biofoulers on hulls can increase both the hydrodynamic volume of a vessel and the hydrodynamic friction, leading to increased [[drag (physics)|drag]] of up to 60%.<ref name=V1>{{citation|url=http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-06/oonr-nhc060409.php|title=New hull coatings for Navy ships cut fuel use, protect environment|first=Peter|last=Vietti|publisher=Office of Naval Research|date=4 June 2009|access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref> The drag increase has been seen to decrease speeds by up to 10%, which can require up to a 40% increase in fuel to compensate.<ref name=V2>{{cite journal|last=Vietti|first=P.|title=New Hull Coatings Cut Fuel Use, Protect Environment|journal=Currents|date=Fall 2009|pages=36–38|url=http://www.enviro-navair.navy.mil/currents/fall2009/Fall09_New_Hull_Coatings.pdf|access-date=6 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005011946/http://www.enviro-navair.navy.mil/currents/fall2009/Fall09_New_Hull_Coatings.pdf|archive-date=5 October 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> With fuel typically comprising up to half of marine transport costs, antifouling methods save the shipping industry a considerable amount of money. Further, increased fuel use due to biofouling contributes to adverse environmental effects and is predicted to increase emissions of carbon dioxide and [[sulfur dioxide]] between 38% and 72% by 2020, respectively.<ref name="Salta">{{cite journal|last=Salta|display-authors=et al|first=M.|year=2008|title=Designing biomimetic antifouling surfaces|journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society|volume=368|issue=1929|pages=4729–4754|doi=10.1098/rsta.2010.0195|pmid=20855318|bibcode=2010RSPTA.368.4729S|doi-access=free}}</ref>