sujit- concept notes

7/30/2019 sujit- Concept Notes

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Application of Nanotechnology in Controlling Biofouling

in Fishing Vessels and Mariculture Structures

Concept notes submitted to

Central Institute of Fisheries Education

(Deemed University)

ICAR

Mumbai

BY:-

Anirudh Kumar

II M.F.Sc

Department of Fishing Technology and Fisheries Engineering

Fisheries College and Research Institute

Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Science University

Thoothukudi - 628008


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1. Title of the Project:- Application of Nanotechnology In

Controlling Biofouling in Fishing

Vessels and Mari-culture structures

2. Background:-

Biofouling or biological fouling is the undesirable accumulation of

microorganisms, plants, algae, and/or animals on the submerged structures. These submerged

structures typically include ships hulls, piers, piling and oil rigs, but also includes the internals of

pipework used to carry water as a coolant for industrial power plants and the pipe lines which is used

to circulate the sea water for engine cooling.

Impact of fouling on shipping and Fishing Industries

Fouling organisms increase the weight of the ship and fishing vessels and can make hull

surface rough. This leads to increase frictional drag caused by the settlement of fouling organisms.

Fouling on hulls of ship can reduce speed in excess of 10%and a fouled hull burns 40% more fuel

(Szewezyk, 2010). Further it has been reported that about 20 million tonnes greenhouse gas produced

due to the marine shipping activities. The saving to the shipping industry through the antifouling

coating alone has been estimated to the tune of 20 billion euros per day (Szewezyk, 2010).

Impact of fouling on mariculture structures

Apart from detrimental effect of fouling in the marine shipping and fishing industries, the

effect of biofouling on mariculture structures is another menace caused by the fouling organisms.

Fouling on webbing of the cages leads to reduction of cage volume but also seriously constricts the

net opening. Owing to this, the weight of cages severely increases, causing further structural stress as

well as reduction in cage bouncy and increase net deformation. Fouling can also cause physical

damage to the net. Fouling effectively decreases the specified mesh size by increasing net surface

area, which cause disruption to water flow. As a result, nutrient exchange and waste removal are

restricted. This not only affects the health of fish stock but also the surrounding environment, by

causing localised eutrophication. Indirect effects of biofouling on fish cage include frequent cleaning


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and repair which in turn leads to detrimental environmental implications and can further stress fish

stock due to increased disturbance. Fouling protection for fish cages has been partly achieved through

use of toxic, copper- based antifouling agents (Lewis, 1994). The use of copper treatment has been

found to reduce the settlement of fouling organisms on the cage net in the system for about 150 days

(Braith waite et al, 2007)

Global Scenario on Antifouling Measures

The best method to control formation of biofouling on submerged surfaces is the anti

fouling coating. Europe is a world leader when it comes to the supply of marine antifouling coatings,

grabbing 70% of a market worth more than $700million every year(Szewezyk, 2010). Today biocide

containing paints are mainly used as antifouling paints which kill the offending organisms upon

contact. The paints constituents are permitted under the biocidal products Directive EC 98/8/CE of

European commission. However, there is restricted scope for innovation. The use of biocides requires

high regulations which make it expensive to add new compounds to the list of allowed substances.

Infact, a second technology, known fouling release coating. In this technology, the silicon based

treatment works by minimising the adhesion the fouling organisms and the hull of the ship. As the

vessel moves through the water, the creatures are simply washed-off. It is an appealing idea, but the

methods its drawbacks. Ships need to be travelling regularly at speeds of between 12 & 15 knots

(Szewezyk, 2010) for the coating to maintain a useful condition. The fragile nature of the silicon layer

causes other limitations.

Short cut antifouling measures

Certain shortcut methods are used to control biofouling in the fishing vessels. However

methods are effective only for a limited period of time and the effects of leaching of poisonous

chemicals into the system is the main concern.


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(i) Paint mixed with weed killer

In this method the underwater surface of vessel is covered with paint

that has been mixed with a small quantity of Agricultural weed killer. This method is preferred as the

weed killer is often cheap and readily available.

Disadvantage:-

(i) Uncontrolled release of toxin.

(ii) Drop in effectiveness of the antifouling product within a day

(ii) Shark liver oil and lime

In some fishing communities where antifouling paint is unavailable or expensive, an

indigenous solution to the problem of fouling has been developed based on a thick paint made from

shark liver oil and lime. Oil is extracted from the livers of sharks and rays by a process of cooking and

partial decay. This pungent smelling liquid is then applied either directly to the interior wooden

surface of the vessels (to protect against insect that eat wood or against caulking) or mixed with lime

and then applied to the exterior underwater surfaces of the vessel. The mixture is reasonably effective

in limiting marine growth, and discourages marine wood borers. The advantage is that it is very

cheap.

Disadvantage:-

(i) It requires reapplication about once a month to remain effective.

(ii) In many tropical communities ,lime is made from controlled burning of corals heads

collected from nearby reefs .This activity is not only destructive to local habitats but it is

also illegal in many countries.

(iii) Herbicide Irgarol 1051

The active ingredient is S- triazine and is a popular slimeresistant antifouling paint. The

disadvantage of this chemical is that It has been shown to be acutely toxic to corals, mangroves and

sea grasses, inhibiting photosynthesis at low concentrations (>50 ng l1) (Kelly carbery et al, 2006)


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A novel method of Nanotechnology for antifouling measures

Recently the nanotechnology has been evolved as a tool for the formation of antifouling

coating. Nanotechnology refers to a wide range of scientific and technological phenomena that

focus on the properties of nanometre scale (around.1 100 nm) (Khanna, 2008). It is the science of

developing materials by controlling individual atoms and molecules to create nanoparticles that are

smaller than the wavelength of visible light. One of the most critical characteristics of nanoparticle is

its very high surface to volume ratio. Nanoparticles improve many properties like chemical and heat

resistance, reduction in weight and opacity.

Few attempts have been made in the application of nanocoating to control biofouling in

immersed marine structures and pipe lines in India. Theresa et al, (2009) studied the effect of copper

nanofilms on bacteria at Indira Gandhi centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam. Preliminary studies

have been initiated by Silesian University of Technology and AMBIO of European Union.

COPPER and its alloys were used as condenser materials to resist biofouling due to copper

toxicity Copper is known to have excellent toxicity to marine organisms and thereby provide good

resistance to biofouling, and hence is used extensively as condenser material in power plants. Various

techniques have been used for the copper nanocoating, such as chemical vapour deposition (CVD),

physical vapour deposition (PVD), and electrochemical and electroless plating. CVD and PVD

techniques are relatively expensive and sophisticated. In recent years electroless deposition has

emerged as a nanotechnology which enables fast and low coast metallic coating, good filling

capability, good uniformity and low processing temperature. It is the easiest method to deposit

metallic films on arbitrary shapes with uniform thickness. The main advantage of electroless plating is

the uniformity over the surface. Therefore copper nano thin films have been grown on titanium

substrate using electroless plating technique to enhance its antibacterial properties by enhancing

surface activity

The studies on use of nanotechnology for antifouling measures have revealed the following as the

advantages in formulating antifouling paints based on nanotechnology.


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- Better surface appearance.

- Good chemical resistance.

- Decrease in permeability to corrosive environment and hence better corrosion properties.

- Optical clarity.

- Increase in modulus and thermal stability.

- Easy to clean surface.

- Anti-skid, Anti-fogging, Anti-fouling.

- Better thermal and electrical conductivity.

- Better retention of gloss and other mechanical properties like scratch resistance.

- Anti-reflective in nature.

- Chromate and lead free.

- Good adherence on different type of materials.

3. Objectives:-

(i) To collect base level data on biofouling in fishing vessels and Mariculture Structures

(ii)To identify the major species of Plants and Animals Involved in Biofouling in fishing Vessels and

Mariculture Structures.

(iii)To study the effect of Noanoparticles coating of Copper, Nickel, and Titanium in controlling the

Biofouling under different conditions.

4. Expected Outputs:-

A. Different species of Micro and Macro fouling organisms which settle on the underwater

surface of the fishing boats and on the Mariculture structure will be identified.

B. The effect of coating of nanoparticles of copper, Nickel and Titanium on the selected fouling

organisms will be studied in the field conditions.

5. Duration:- 3 years.


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6. Programme of work

First year:-

(i) Collection of base level information on the problems of biofouling in Tamilnadu coast

(ii) Collection of Information on the antifouling methods presently followed in fishing vessels

and Mariculture industries.

Second year:-

(i) Application of nanoparticles of Copper, Nickel and Titanium to the various surfaces in

collaboration with CECRI- Central Electrochemical Research Institute,Karikudi.

(ii) Studying the properties of nanocoated materials used in fishing and Mariculture Industries in

collaboration with CECRI, Karikudi.

Third year:-

(i) Studying the effect of antifouling paints developed based on nanotechnology on the

structures at different conditions at sea.

7. Expected benefit

To the Fishermen

Fishermen will be benefited by reducing their expenses toward biofouling control

To the fish Farmers:-

Reducing fouling on the mariculture structure would pave way for reducing the maintenance cost of

the cages and related structures


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Professor & Head Anirudh Kumar

Department of fishing Technology II M.F.Sc.

and Fisheries Engineering

DEAN

Fisheries College & Research Institute

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