Biological fouling

Biological fouling (or biofouling) refers to the collection of impure or unwanted organisms (including bacteria, plants, small animals and so on) that may colonise, resulting in biofilms in marine and industrial settings.

Biofouling can sometimes interfere with the operation of equipment (including marine vehicles) or the purity of water collection and delivery systems (including inlets, pipes and so on). If biofouling occurs in certain types of mechanical systems (including heating and cooling systems), it can cause clogging that may lead to poor performance, system failures and costly remedial works.

Steps to address biofouling (sometimes referred to as anti-fouling measures) will depend on the type of mechanical systems and the cause of the biofouling condition.

NB Water safety in buildings, published by the World Health Organization in 2011, defines biofilms as: ‘A slimy matrix produced and inhabited by bacteria, which enables the bacteria to adhere to a surface and carry out certain essential biochemical processes.’

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• Foul water.
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• Pipework.
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