Efficacy of Different Biofouling Agents
Mentor Information
James Ivey (School of Geosciences)
Description
In this experiment, it will be determined which agents display the most efficacy regarding anti-biofouling, or the removal and dispersal of undesired marine plants, micro-organisms, algae and/or calcareous animals as found in the Tampa Bay waterways which serve as the parameter of the research. The mediums to be studied will be comparing the efficiency of the Nitto antifouling adhesive film, alongside traditionally common copper antifouling boat-bottom paint (as applied to plastic wrap, attached to a SONDES water quality instrument) and a control with no antifouling agent. The previous research in this experiment displays that a soy-wax and capsaicin mixture was moderately effective in preventing biofouling, with decent growth evidenced, leading to a continuation of the experiment, comparing this previous research with more commonplace marine mediums. Periodically checking on the rates of biofouling and a myriad of water quality elements, the product with the least amount of biofouling will be deemed the best option after consideration of its impact on the larger ecological system.
Efficacy of Different Biofouling Agents
In this experiment, it will be determined which agents display the most efficacy regarding anti-biofouling, or the removal and dispersal of undesired marine plants, micro-organisms, algae and/or calcareous animals as found in the Tampa Bay waterways which serve as the parameter of the research. The mediums to be studied will be comparing the efficiency of the Nitto antifouling adhesive film, alongside traditionally common copper antifouling boat-bottom paint (as applied to plastic wrap, attached to a SONDES water quality instrument) and a control with no antifouling agent. The previous research in this experiment displays that a soy-wax and capsaicin mixture was moderately effective in preventing biofouling, with decent growth evidenced, leading to a continuation of the experiment, comparing this previous research with more commonplace marine mediums. Periodically checking on the rates of biofouling and a myriad of water quality elements, the product with the least amount of biofouling will be deemed the best option after consideration of its impact on the larger ecological system.
