Antifoulant compounds with copper for preventing bioadhesion. A case study.

GUIAMET, P; GÓMEZ DE SARAVIA, S.

Fortaleza

Congreso; INTERCORR 2014; 2014

ABRACO

Bioadhesion, biofilms formation and biocorrosion of metal surfaces are due to biological and bioelectrochemical processes in which microorganisms participate actively by adhering to surfaces through biofilms. It is very difficult to prevent bioadhesion, biofilms formation and the economic losses for the biocorrosion problems are estimated at billon USD therefore, the importance of finding an effective method to prevent it. The goal of this paper was to evaluate of performance of antifoulant compounds with copper applied on carbon steel structures. Bioassays were carried out in Mar del Plata harbor, Buenos Aires, Argentina (38º 02? S-57º 32W). Carbon steel panel?s series with copper layer and without it (control) were vertically hung from a floating dock, below the water surface to provide the record of fouling organisms. Sample taking from the accumulative samplers each 4 months during one year. The abundance of sessile species was estimated by recording their occurrence on a grid marked in quadrates over the entire panel. After 1 year of immersion, panels covered by copper layer did not present macrofouling, but a significative bacterial adherence was present. On the other hand, on control panels a lot species were observed.