Composition of microfouling on aluminium and fibre glass panels exposed in Agatti waters (Lakshadweep Island)

Abstract

Rate of microfouling build-up was high during the initial periods of exposure of test surfaces but decreased with the increasing duration. Fibre glass surfaces showed higher deposition than those of aluminium. Carbohydrates and lipids were the major constituents of fouling mass as compared to proteins. Fouling diatoms were dominatEd. by the pennate forms (Nitzschia, Navicula and Biddulphia).