Application of CLSM and SEM analyses for biofouling study

Marine biofouling behavior was investigated on the solid lithium manganese oxides and the urethane foam exposed in seawater. CLSM was used to study the defacement degree of microorganisms on solid surfaces and foams. Different distribution of fluorescence intensity was observed both the solid and the foam. SEM was also used to analyze the surface characterization of biofouling and the chemical compositions by EDS analysis. The major components of solid, C, Mn and O, were measured for the solid surfaces. While, C and O, were the components observed from the foam. This study indicates that these surfaces of solids which were very reactive toward biofouling to form biofilm can be analyzed by in-vivo technique and electron-probe micro analysis.