Characterisation of the biofouling community on a floating wave energy device

• Published in: Biofouling (Chur, Switzerland) Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 379 - 396
• Main Authors: Nall, Christopher R., Schläppy, Marie-Lise, Guerin, Andrew J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 28.05.2017; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Algae; Animals; Aquatic Organisms - classification; Aquatic Organisms - growth & development; Biofouling; Biofouling - prevention & control; Biomass; Communities; Devices; Ecosystem; Electric Power Supplies - microbiology; Electric Power Supplies - standards; Energy; Environmental management; epibiota composition; Feeding; Floating structures; Fouling; Introduced species; Invertebrates; Invertebrates - classification; Invertebrates - growth & development; Marine Biology; Marine energy; Marine environment; marine growth; marine renewable energy; Native organisms; Non-native species; Prototypes; Renewable energy; Renewable Energy - standards; Renewable resources; Resource management; ROV surveys; Species composition; Taxa; United Kingdom; Wave energy; Wave power; Zonation; epibiota composition; marine growth; Non-native species; ROV surveys; marine renewable energy
• ISSN: 0892-7014; 1029-2454
• DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2017.1317755

Wave energy devices are novel structures in the marine environment and, as such, provide a unique habitat for biofouling organisms. In this study, destructive scrape samples and photoquadrats were used to characterise the temperate epibenthic community present on prototypes of the Pelamis wave energy converter. The biofouling observed was extensive and diverse with 115 taxa recorded including four non-native species. Vertical zonation was identified on the sides of the device, with an algae-dominated shallow subtidal area and a deeper area characterised by a high proportion of suspension-feeding invertebrates. Differences in species composition and biomass were also observed between devices, along the length of the device and between sampling dates. This research provides an insight into the variation of biofouling assemblages on a wave energy device as well as the potential technical and ecological implications associated with biofouling on marine renewable energy structures.