The Accumulation of High Molecular Weight Microbial Products on Metallic Surfaces Exposed to Ambient Seawater

Microfouling on aluminum and titanium surfaces was analyzed during a period of 36 days at the termination of a cleaning cycle study of 239 days duration. The installation employed to conduct this study was the CEER OTEC facility off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico. Microfouling was assessed by determining the organic carbon, ATP and wet film thickness (WFT) associated with the test surfaces. The predominant bacterial strains associated with these surfaces were isolated and characterized. The development of biofouling on the aluminum and titanium surfaces appears to be different with respect to biomass (ATP) and the development of WFT. The bacterial strains found on the test surfaces were different. The strains associated with the titanium appeared to be constant throughout the study period, while there was a succession of strains associated with the aluminum surfaces. Differences between the test surfaces and the development of microfouling with time of exposure to seawater are discussed.