International experts develop biofouling approach at LJMU

Experts from across the world have come together at LJMU to exchange knowledge and develop methods to tackle biofouling.

Partners from India, Turkey and Romania took part in the LJMU biofouling workshop of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU)/Nippon Foundation-funded project NOFOUL.

Biofouling refers to the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae or small animals on wet surfaces that have a mechanical function, causing structural or other functional deficiencies.

Field visits and practical sessions

The sessions at LJMU were hosted by Dr Simone Dürr and attended by experts from Constanta Maritime University (CMU), Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Ordu University (ODU) and the Academy of Maritime Education and Training of Chennai (AMET).

They developed biofouling knowledge, antifouling field trial approaches and their biofouling assessment. The group visited the laser texturing and biofouling labs, the field site Royal Albert Dock as well as experiencing practical sessions on biofouling identification, adhesion strength of biofouling and using image analysis for assessment.

Next steps 

The outcomes of the sessions will be presented to the International Association of Maritime Universities at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in October by the project team, together with the initiation of the team’s IAMU Biofouling Network.

Dr Simone Dürr said: “I think the workshop went really well and will certainly work as a template for future biofouling workshops, particular for IAMU scientists, engineers and mariners.

“For myself as a biofouling expert, it was inspiring hearing from the partners about what aspects of the biofouling topics they never heard about before and how it changed their understanding and perspective of biofouling.”

Attendees included: Dr Sheelagh Conlan, Dr Martin Sharp, Dr Geraldine Reid (LJMU, World Museum Liverpool), Prof Bogdan Hnatiuc (CMU), Prof Yasin Arslanoglu (ITU), Prof Özkan Ugurlu (ODU) and Prof Radhakrishnan Muthezhilan (AMET).

Additional participants in the discussions were Prof Mihaela Hnatiuc (CMU), Prof Cristina Dragomir (CMU), Prof Refik Özyurt (ODU), Dr Onur Yüksel (LJMU) and Dr Eddie Blanco Davis (LJMU).