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Biofouling

Biofouling

Biofouling or biological fouling is the undesirable accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, and/or animals on wetted structures. Scientific moorings and sensors in the ocean and estuary are highly prone to biofouling. The photo shows a mooring sensor with a large biomass of gooseneck barnacles.They are so dense that you can barely read the warning sticker on the device. Researchers must service the equipment regularly to clean the instrument of biofouling.

Read blog and watch video of the retrieval of a biofouled mooring.

 

(Photo: Jeff Schilling/CMOP)